Evonik and SI Coatings develop water-based primer for polyamide coatings

• Labelling obligation for chemicals according to GHS system not applicable
• Easy to handle for more occupational safety
• Available for customers worldwide

Polyamide coatings on metal serve to protect against corrosion. It is therefore important that they are applied uniformly, do not peel off, and cannot be infiltrated by water. In addition, they must be resilient against external influences so that the coating provides lasting protection. Evonik's VESTOSINT® polyamide 12 fluidized bed powders have proven their performance here for many years. Until now, large-area steel parts, especially concave surfaces, were pretreated with solvent-containing primers when exceptional adhesion was required, for example, in contact with water.

"Evonik has firmly anchored the idea of environmental compatibility in its corporate strategy. Therefore, for the processing of VESTOSINT® we were looking for a partner with whom we could develop a water-based primer that is precisely matched to our polyamide powder. We found this partner in SI Coatings," says Dr. Dominic Störkle, head of the Additive Manufacturing & Material Solutions product line at Evonik, describing the motivation for the collaboration. Evonik's many years of expertise in fluidized bed coating with polyamide powder and SI Coatings' know-how in the field of adhesion promoters ideally complemented each other. The result: a reliable water-based primer that does not require any special work protection technology such as fume hoods. The product is label-free according to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The residual solvent content, reported as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), is less than two percent. "Since we are a globally active company, we can offer the jointly developed primer to Evonik customers worldwide and also in small quantities," says Managing Director Andreas Kunz of SI Coatings, emphasizing the advantage of the partnership.

The new primer Si Coatings 100011-00L with water hazard class WGK1 has a shelf life of six months when stored frost-free. It can be applied by brushing, spraying, dipping or doctoring and baked at about 300 °C during heating for the fluidized bed process with VESTOSINT®. One possible application is cardan shafts, which are coated on both the outside and the inside.

Evonik markets the high-performance plastic polyamide 12 as a powder under the name VESTOSINT®, for example, for coating dishwasher baskets, metals in household goods, the automotive industry or medical technology. The Group is a global leader in the production of polyamide 12 compounds, which are in high demand in highly attractive markets such as the automotive industry, oil and gas production, and the medical and sports sectors.

SI Coatings in Wuppertal develops and produces technical, functional and decorative coatings as well as adhesion promoters for a wide range of applications.

Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The company is active in more than 100 countries around the world and generated sales of €12.2 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of €1.91 billion in 2020. Evonik goes far beyond chemistry to create innovative, profitable and sustainable solutions for customers. More than 33,000 employees work together for a common purpose: We want to improve life today and tomorrow.Asia Pacific is a strong driving force of the global economy and an important source of innovation.  Consequently Evonik endeavors to further grow its business in the region.  Sales reached €2.84 billion in 2020 and the company employs over 5,000 people at more than 50 production sites in Asia Pacific.  In Taiwan, we now employ over 200 employees which including 1 office based in Taipei and 1 production site based in Taoyuan.

The Smart Materials division includes businesses with innovative materials that enable resource-saving solutions and replace conventional materials. They are the smart answer to the major challenges of our time: environment, energy efficiency, urbanization, mobility and health. The Smart Materials division generated sales of around €3.24 billion in 2020 with about 7,900 employees.

SI Coatings develops and produces technical, functional and decorative coatings as well as adhesion promoters for a wide range of applications. As an independent company, formed from the HUEHOCO Group, SI Coatings is an integral part of a technology network in a family-run group of companies that has been offering tailor-made solutions in the coil coating industry for over 100 years. The products of the HUEHOCO Group can be found in over 30 industries worldwide, are produced at 14 locations on 4 continents and supplied to over 40 countries. From steel processing, to finished in house developed coating materials and to complex stamped parts in progressive compounds – we always focus on environmentally friendly and resource-saving innovations.

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties.  Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment.  Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.