Selection guides, written by people who formulate
Practical additive selection knowledge organised by technical theme. No marketing claims, just the trade-offs you actually have to make when choosing between chemistries.
Dispersion
Selecting Dispersants for Solvent-based Coating Systems
In solventborne systems the dispersant works almost entirely through steric stabilisation. How anchor groups, solvated chain length and binder interactions decide grinding efficiency, colour development and storage stability.
A Practical Dispersant Selection Guide for Pigment Grinding
Colour strength, grinding efficiency and storage stability pull dispersant selection in different directions. How pigment surface polarity, molecular architecture and dosage on pigment interact in practice.
Rheology
HASE vs ASE Thickeners: How to Choose for Waterborne Paints
ASE and HASE thickeners both rely on alkali neutralisation, but HASE adds hydrophobic association. A comparison of the rheology profiles, application behaviour and formulation trade-offs behind the choice.
Additives for Polyurethane Systems
Polyurethane chemistry restricts additive choice more than any other coating system. Moisture sensitivity, hydroxyl and amine functionality, and pot-life effects: what to watch for in 2K PU formulation.
Defoaming
Water-based vs Oil-based Defoamers: Performance and Compatibility
The carrier of a defoamer decides how it arrives at the foam lamella. Comparing emulsion and water-dispersible types with oil-based mineral and silicone carriers on deaeration speed, persistence and crater risk.
How to Select a Defoamer for Waterborne Industrial Coatings
Foam generated during dispersion, let-down and application behaves differently at each stage. A practical framework for matching defoamer chemistry to where the foam actually forms, and how to stay inside the compatibility window.
Still not sure which route to take?
Our application laboratory reviews the full system, binder, pigment, substrate, process and curing conditions, before recommending a product.