Aquaseal™ technology platform
At Paramelt we have licensed the unique DOW Bluewave™ technology platform which enables us to disperse a broad range of thermoplastic materials at high solids in water. These consists of mainly polyolefinic materials which have only previously been processable by extrusion technology.
This unique capability opens up an innovative range of new potential applications for water-based coatings. Paramelt is able to offer these polymer dispersions either as binder system or additive into traditional water-based coatings but also as fully formulated aqueous coatings for diverse of applications.
Until now, access to the true capabilities of these materials has only been possible by extrusion, lamination or hot melt coating. Where application via printing or liquid coating techniques were required, the formulator had to compromise on polymer selection or was limited to high melt index (waxy) materials whose performance was substantially below that of the extrusion grades.
In packaging for example, this extends the range of materials available to the converter using standard printing and coating methods; i.e. the same materials which are typically applied by film lamination, extrusion coating and high-performance hot melt formulations can now be directly coated from dispersion in water.
The introduction of this new technology opens up the full formulatory envelope, allowing the coating designer to completely optimise target properties, without the need to compromise for dispersibility.