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we invest six percent of our sales in research and development. Hence our pigments are used in ever- new aplications . Function Instead of Aesthetics Effect pigments are extremely small par- ticles usually based on metals that make paints, coatings, and plastics shine and glitter. This is a proven fact. But the particles can do much more than just create a good appearance. “They can take over chemical or physical functions and thus optimize construction materials and plastics, as well as coatings and adhesives, considerably,” says Dr. Mark Stoll, Global Head of Marketing and Technical Service at ECKART. For instance, when aluminum particles are added to a mortar mixture containing quartz sand, this creates hydrogen gas that produces many small bubbles. The re- sult is aerated concrete, which due to its good insulating properties is regarded as an especially promising building material. ECKART has participated in this growth mar- ket for some time now – worldwide and with great success. In 2016, the company is opening a new facility at its Hartenstein site. With it, ECKART not only can significantly increase its manufacture of effect pigments for the production of aerated concrete, but above all can deliver even better quality to its customers because the new plant works with state-of-the-art technology. As a result, the aluminum particles can be processed much better. “They are free of mineral oil and show good wa- ter wettability,” explains Dr. Stoll. “Both of these properties are extremely im- portant for manufacturers of aerated concrete.” Pigments Refine Adhesives Spurred on by their success with aerated concrete, the pigment specialists started looking for other applications in which their small particles could play a key role. “That was our guiding question,” says Dr. Stoll. 24 Continuity and Change at ALTANA


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