Top-notch technologies facilitate production of safe and sustainable paints for industrial uses.

Modern concrete formulations are based on the use of highly specialised additives. As a result, they exhibit considerably improved properties regarding load-bearing capacity, workability, durability and design scope. The individual constituents in these ever more complex recipes must be highly compatible in order to meet the target performance requirements. The target requirements must also be kept in mind when selecting iron oxide pigments, whose properties make them the material of choice for colouring concrete materials. Sound advice and application-specific support from an expert on pigments can be of great value here. LANXESS known worldwide for its expertise in the field of concrete colouring. The company recently invested around EUR 1 million in the further modernisation of its application technology laboratory for construction materials, informs Oliver Fleschentraeger, Business Unit Inorganic Pigments, LANXESS Deutschland GmbH.

With a production volume of approximately 375,000 metric tons per year and production and blending facilities on five continents, LANXESS being one of the leading providers of synthetic iron oxide colour pigments. “LANXESS offers comprehensive technical service along the entire process chain, has made targeted investments to significantly expand its global application technology offering,” states Oliver Fleschentraeger.

Be it for conventional concrete products such as paving stones or concrete roofing tiles, or for in-situ construction applications, manufacturers are increasingly relying on innovative concrete materials whose formulations have often undergone additional modifications. For instance, self-compacting concrete (SCC) can be used to create surfaces with a variety of structures and an outstanding look and feel.

Whether coloured concrete surfaces meet the desired target colour is not determined by the pigment selection alone. “There are a variety of possible influencing factors related to the selection of raw materials and additives used. Unwanted effects that can appear in the form of signs of material segregation or poor workability of the concrete can generally be avoided by obtaining professional advice at the outset, adds Oliver Fleschentraeger.

Practical training for optimal colouring of construction materials
LANXESS offers its customers an intensive laboratory training program that teaches the participants how to handle iron oxide pigments and provides numerous tips on how to process them. The aim of the “BayferroxColor Workshop” is to make the production of coloured concrete products more sustainable and more efficient. The participants receive both theoretical and practical training from pigment experts. The agenda includes topics such as colour theory and colour matching, production methods, formulation, and quality control. In the practical part, the participants can learn about techniques for adjusting existing colour shades and find out which factors can affect the final colour of a concrete product. The “BayferroxColor Workshop” takes place regularly in different regions and attracts participants from all over the world.

Choice of textures, creativity and unique designs
A well-chosen colour can bring any office to life and fill the workplace with vibrant energy that employees require. Nippon Paint’s colour book features every shade in every colour of the rainbow, bringing a wide array of kaleidoscopic colour choices. Moreover, Nippon Paint’s Momento, a range of special effect paint can elevate the office walls to works of art. Momento offers a choice of textures to unleash creativity and create unique designs. Whether it is a frosted look or a luminous gold, silver or pearl sheen, Momento can make walls a conversation starter, says S Mahesh Anand, President – Nippon Paint (India) Private Limited (Decorative Division).

Nippon Paint leverages world-class technology and innovation to provide superior safety features to internal and exterior office spaces. This includes breakthrough odour-less technology, low VOC, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, easy wash-ability, durability and more. “The odour-less air-care is a paint range that is very important to an office because the active carbon technology in it purifies air inside the office by converting formaldehyde into water vapor, bringing about clean fresh air. This makes workers breathe safely and prevents the possibility of respiratory diseases,”adds Mahesh.

Ultra-durable smart release technology paint
AkzoNobel has built a very strong foundation for sustainability and is recognised as a leader in its industry. The entire Dulux Professional range is certified under GreenPro by CII-GBC and by GRIHA under high-SRI for exteriors. The tropical Indian climatic conditions require best-in class, durable and extensive protection for exteriors. “Our latest offerings – Dulux Professional Weathershield TR E2000 and Dulux Professional Weathershield Creation Stonetex is an endeavor in providing sustainable solutions for varied needs,” Rajiv Rajgopal, Managing Director, AkzoNobel India.

Dulux Professional Weathershield TR E2000, a super durable exterior paint is powered by TimeResistTM technology-prevents fading, algae resistance and dirt retention, addsRajgopal.

The extended product life cycle makes it sustainable with a longer maintenance cycle of over 15 years reducing its the carbon footprint by over 50 per cent in comparison to standard exterior emulsions. The product, like all Weathershield range of products, has also been enhanced with SunReflect technology that reduces exterior surface temperature by up to 5C, saving up to 15 per cent per annum on the energy used to cool the building.

Dulux Professional Weathershield Creation Stonetex is a premium stone-like texture coating that provides natural stone effect. This water-based textured coating paint contains selected natural and synthetic UV-resistant coloured stones and aggregates bound by 100 per cent acrylic polymer. It is suitable for both exterior and interior application.

LANXESS offers comprehensive technical service along the entire process chain, has made targeted investments to significantly expand its global application technology offering.
Oliver Fleschentraeger, Head of Global Competence Center Construction Inorganic Pigments business unit, LANXESS Deutschland GmbH

Dulux Professional Weathershield TR E2000, a super durable exterior paint is powered by TimeResistTM technology-prevents fading, algae resistance and dirt retention.
Rajiv Rajgopal, Managing Director, AkzoNobel India

Momento offers a choice of textures to unleash creativity and create unique designs.
S Mahesh Anand, President – Nippon Paint (India) Private Limited (Decorative Division)