tion, the product contains renewable raw materials from certified
sources.
Other ALTANA companies are taking a similar approach.
For example, traditional markets are increasingly switching
to applications devoid of organic solvents. The materials are
either converted to aqueous systems or solvents are dispensed
with altogether. In order to continue to achieve the
desired properties, the requirements profile for ALTANA
products is constantly expanding. It is often the elimination
of minute amounts of volatile organic compounds that
provides the key advantage. The customers obtain the desired
effects without unwanted emissions. And this delivers add-
ed value along the entire value chain all the way to the end
consumer.
Replacement of Critical Substances
In the year under review, ALTANA succeeded in replacing
other critical substances. For example, ECKART developed
novel metallic effect pigments that can obviate the need
for chromium VI compounds. Plastics are still treated with
toxic chromium compounds in galvanic processes to gen-
erate metallic coatings. Chromium VI compounds have harmful
effects on human health and have a deleterious impact
on the environment. Due to their properties, the novel effect
pigments can replace electroplated surfaces. As a result,
the desired optics can be achieved, for example, on trim strips
in automotive interiors, without the risks described above.
In the reporting year, BYK developed further surface additives
and defoamers in which special manufacturing processes
remove unwanted by-products in the form of silicone
cycles. As a consequence, the products meet the special
requirements even of sensitive applications, thus enriching
customers’ options for manufacturing their materials in
the best possible form.
Products
concern. Thus, they can cause harm to humans and / or the
environment if used improperly, resulting in special precautions
during production, transport, and use. Thanks to the
novel component, the products made from it are free from
any hazard classification and labeling. At the same time, they
retain their excellent electrical, chemical, and mechanical
insulating properties and significant amounts of waste are
avoided. This is another example of how innovations in
the chemical industry, in particular, contribute to climate protection
and sustainability.
Low-Emission Products and Technologies
All of the divisions launched new products that help reduce
various emissions. This not only reduces possible stresses at
the workplaces and thus improves protection of the respective
users, but also conserves resources and is environmen-
tally friendly.
BYK developed and launched zero-emission products
for various applications and launched them on the market.
The spectrum ranges from wetting and dispersing agents
to rheological additives, defoamers, and additives that have
a positive influence on the properties of surfaces. Rheo-
logical additives, for example, significantly improve the flow
behavior of powder coatings during curing. Hence BYK
supports its customers in further improving the general applicability
of these solvent-free coating systems. Unlike other
coating systems, powder coatings offer the possibility of collecting
and recycling so-called overspray, that is, material
that flies past the component to be coated. This reduces the
amount of waste. By adjusting the flow behavior of the
not yet cured coating, the novel additive increases the thickness
of the layer, particularly at the edges. This improves
the corrosion protection and thus extends the service life of
the protective coating and the actual component. In addi88