News | December 20, 2005

Lanxess Chemicals Unit New Self-Dispersing Granules

The Functional Chemicals Business Unit of Lanxess introduces new microgranules for formulation of concentrated pigment preparations.

LANXESS Deutschland GmbH has added microgranulated organic and inorganic pigment preparations to its range of colorants. With Levanyl Gran and Levanox Gran, LANXESS now offers self-dispersing, solvent-free grades for the coloration of paints, cleaning agents and paper, as well as in a number of other specialty applications.

The microgranules can be used to formulate high-quality, concentrated pigment preparations. Because of their small and homogenous particle size and high pigment content, they require only a low addition and small amounts of energy to develop their full tinting strength, gloss, transparency and intensity.

The new grades developed by the Functional Chemicals Business Unit are compatible with most formulations, especially in water based applications. They can be added during an intermediate phase of the process without problem, and there is no need for time-consuming grinding.

The storage-stable microgranules offer a number of advantages, including nearly dust-free, hygienic handling and precise metering properties. The good flow properties of Levanyl Gran and Levanox Gran mean that containers can be emptied nearly completely. The optimal utilization of the raw material and the reduced time and effort required for the cleaning and disposal of the containers compared to liquid pigment preparations result in lower production costs.

There is no need for the preservatives required for traditional liquid pigment preparations. All of these advantages result in significant improvements with respect to storage, storage stability, application and productivity. Furthermore, in compliance with international safety regulations, the effects on the environments are minimized since no volatile organic components (VOC) and practically no dust are emitted.

Their good acid and alkali resistance makes the new microgranules suitable for use in cleaning agents, soaps, fabric softeners and latex dispersions, as well as in dry construction materials such as cement or concrete. In agriculture, Levanyl Gran and Levanox Gran can be used to mark seeds treated with crop protection agents.

SOURCE: Lanxess Chemicals