RHEOLATE HX 6008 and RHEOLATE HX 6050

Rheology leadership plus so much more... Application Leaflet May 2015 Key Benefits Extremely high efficient RHEOLATE HX 6008 and RHEOLATE HX 6050 High shear viscosity build with mid shear contribution Suitable in a broad range of latex chemistries Highly efficient nonionic synthetic associative thickener (NiSAT) for excellent high shear viscosity with additional mid-shear viscosity contribution Innovation Compliance High Performance

Introduction The rheology of latex paints is controlled by rheological additives. Of the various types available (Figure 1), polymer-based rheological additives are the most commonly used thickeners for controlling application and performance properties of waterborne coatings. Polymer based rheology modifiers for latex paints fall predominately into three classes: modified cellulosics, alkali-swellable acrylics, and nonionic synthetic associative thickeners (NiSATs). Figure 1. Classes of thickeners used as rheology additives in latex coating Polymer-based rheology additives derive their thickening properties from either volume exclusion (molecular weight) and/or from an associative mechanism in which interaction with the latex particles and, to a lesser extent with pigment extenders, builds a transient network structure (Figure 2). No thickener class excels in all properties and the choice is mainly dictated by cost and performance requirements for a given paint. Figure 2. Illustration of transient network structure in NiSAT thickened paint Nonionic Synthetic Associative Thickeners (NiSATs) are often the thickener of choice for paints requiring: Flow and Leveling, Coverage (Film Build), Moisture Resistance and Spatter Resistance The efficiency of these thickeners, however, is not on par with that of the other classes of thickeners. In addition, the resulting paints are more prone to viscosity loss on tinting with colorants. This is especially true for richly colored paints that are popular for DIY products. The inefficiency of NiSATs relative to other classes of thickeners has been exacerbated by the new environmental regulations requiring ever decreasing amounts of VOCs. For example, the reduction in the amounts of coalescent in paint has a negative effect on the thickener efficiency 2

of an associative thickener. In addition, changes in resin technology meant to reduce the need for coalescents have resulted in the use of increasing amounts of surfactants which have a negative effect on the efficiency of NiSATs. Finally, the use of open time extenders meant to counteract the effect of removing traditional open time additives (VOCs) also has a negative effect on the efficiency of NiSATs. Within the class of NiSAT`s, the additives designed to provide predominately Newtonian characteristics (high-shear thickeners) are commonly the dominating part of the entire thickener composition. These products are designed to provide good film build, without extensive build-up of the in-can-feel and superior levelling of the paint. These are the thickeners that would mostly benefit by an improvement in efficiency. Higher efficiency can result in reduced costs along with improved film properties such as hardness, water resistance, scrub, etc. The herein described new high-shear thickeners, promoted as RHEOLATE HX grades, are the culmination of an extensive effort to improve the efficiency without sacrificing any positive attributes of the final paint system. These grades have shown a significant improvement in thickening efficiency in comparison to the currently used technology. The relative impact on the rheological characteristics, performance and efficiency is illustrated in the following number of various paint and coating systems. Both grades which are being described, RHEOLATE HX 6008 and RHEOLATE HX 6050, are novel NiSAT thickeners providing outstanding rheological properties for aqueous applications. They develop high shear viscosity very efficiently, and additionally display some mid-shear viscosity contribution. RHEOLATE HX 6008 is specifically dedicated to aqueous acrylic and alkyd systems. RHEOLATE HX 6050 shows its strength especially in vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE) as well as Vina-Veova based systems. In the field of styrene-acrylic binder systems, both grades are performing equally well. Both, RHEOLATE HX 6008 and RHEOLATE HX 6050, show the ability to replace a combination of a mid/low shear and a high shear thickener. Reference: Lynch, T., Mangnus, E., Buford, N., Beaupre, J., Aidoo, Y., (2015). New Nonionic Synthetic Associative Thickeners. Presented at the European Coatings Congress 2015, Nuremberg. 3

Key Benefits Extremely high efficient thickeners with both ICI and KU properties. Compatible in various resin systems. Excellent balance of sag, flow, and levelling. Minimal effect on final paint properties. Potential of complexity reduction in the formulation Graph 1. Comparison of the flow of RHEOLATE HX 6008/6050 with different types of thickeners 4

Chemical and Physical Data Type RHEOLATE HX 6008 RHEOLATE HX 6050 Efficient high-shear thickener with low and mid- Efficient high-shear thickener with low and mid- Active solids [%] 25 25 ph 4 6 6.5 8 Specific gravety [g/ml] 1.05 1.05 Viscosity [cps] <3000 <3000 VOC [%] (ASTM D 6886-03) <0.3 <0.3 Odour Very low Very low Dedicated latex technology Acrylic VAE Styrene Acrylic Alkyd Styrene Acrylic VinaVeova Incorporation and Levels of use RHEOLATE HX 6008 and RHEOLATE HX 6050 can be used in the delivery form or, if necessary, further diluted with water. The addition can take place at any time during the manufacturing process, however, incorporation into the mill base before the letdown is recommended. Both grades can be combined with other associating rheological additives, clay based thickeners or cellulosic thickeners for to achieve the required rheological characteristics in accordance with the individual requirements. Furthermore, it is important to assess the effectiveness of RHEOLATE HX in the entire system, as performance might be affected by other raw material ingredients. Further detailed background information on the technology of nonionic synthetic associative thickeners can be found in the Elementis Specialties rheology handbook. Typical use levels of RHEOLATE HX 6008 and RHEOLATE HX 6050 are in a range 0.1% to 1.5% (product weight) related to the total system weight. 5

Evaluated Paints and Coatings Part 1: Performance evaluation in various binder technologies Pure Acrylic Based Paint (PVC 30%) RHEOLATE HX 6008, 6050 Page 7 For exterior coatings, plasters and external wall insulations systems and primers Paint (PVC 50%) RHEOLATE HX 6008, 6050 Page 9 For interior paints, textured finishes, gloss/satin latex paints, primers and silicate emulsion paints This paint will be equipped with various binder systems Styrene-acrylic Vina-Veova Vinylacetate-ethylene Part 2: Complexity in paint formulations RHEOLATE HX 6008 in pure Acrylic based Paint (PVC 30%) Page 12 For exterior coatings, plasters and external wall insulations systems and primers RHEOLATE HX 6050 in VAE based Paint (PVC 50%) Page 12 For interior paints, textured finishes, gloss/satin latex paints, primers and silicate emulsion paints Part 3: RHEOLATE HX 6008 Influence on final coating properties 1C Acrylic High Gloss Clear Wood Coating Page 15 For parquet varnishes, wood stains sealers, MDF, and furniture coatings Appendix Test methods Page 19 6

Part 1: Efficiency Evaluation in different Binder Systems Pure Acrylic based Paint (PVC 30%) Formulation Emulsion paint PVC 30% Pure Acrylic Raw material Concentration Function Supplier Millbase stage Tapwater 7.55 Diluent Add under stirring in the denoted order NUOSPERSE FX 504 0.1 Dispersing agent Elementis Specialties DAPRO DF 7005 0.2 Defoamer Elementis Specialties Sodium polyphosphate 0.5 Softener BK Giulini Titanium dioxide 4.1 Pigment Kronos International Calcium carbonate, vari- 21.7 Extender Omya Micro Talc 2.4 Extender Mondo Minerals Aluminium silicate 1.1 Extender Evonik Grind for 15 min. at 10 m/s. Add and stir for further 10 minutes at low speed DAPRO DF 7005 0.05 Defoamer Elementis Specialties Tapwater 10.0-X Diluent Mowiltith LDM 7717 Add under stirring 51.55 Binder Celanese DAPRO FX 511 Coalescing agent Elementis Specialties Dowanol DPnB 0.55 Coalescing agent Dow Add and stir slightly for 10 min. Rheological additive(s) X Rheological additive Elementis Specialties Ammonia Solution w=25% 0.15 ph adjustment Biocide 0.05 In can preservative Schülke&Mayr 100.0 The PVC 30% test formulation was based on an aqueous copolymer emulsion of acrylic/methacrylic acid esters. These APEO free binder has a solid content of 46%, Tg of 23 C and a particle size of 120 µm. It is commonly used in exterior coatings e.g. for masonry paints containing coalescing agents, deep shade paints, plasters and textured coatings, external wall insulations systems and primers. In this part of the study, both additives, RHEOLATE HX 6008 and RHEOLATE HX 6050 were included in the formulations at various equal concentrations depending on binder system. 7

Part 1: Efficiency Evaluation in different Binder Systems Graph 2: Efficiency evaluation of RHEOLATE HX 6008 and 6050 in a pure acrylic PVC 30% paint * 1 Pas = 10 P (Poise) In the pure acrylic PVC 30% paint, RHEOLATE HX 6008 provided the strongest Newtonian flow characteristics and clearly gave the highest ICI viscosity values. The flow behavior caused by RHEOLATE HX 6050 in the formulation was markedly more shear thinning than with RHEOLATE HX 6008 when formulated at equal concentration of 1%. This was also displayed by a significantly higher KU viscosity and noticeably lower high-shear viscosity values with RHEOLATE HX 6050. 8

Part 1: Efficiency Evaluation in different Binder Systems Styrene acrylic, Vina Veova or VAE emulsion PVC 50% formulation Emulsion paint PVC 50% Styrene-acrylic, Vina Veova or VAE emulsion Raw material Concentration Function Supplier Millbase stage Tapwater 14.90 Diluent Add under stirring in the denoted order NUOSPERSE FX 504 0.1 Dispersing agent Elementis Specialties DAPRO DF 7005 0.3 Defoamer Elementis Specialties Sodium polyphosphate 0.1 Softener BK Giulini Titanium dioxide 5.8 Pigment Kronos International Calcium carbonate, various particle size 30.9 Extender Omya Micro Talc 3.4 Extender Mondo Minerals Aluminium silicate 1.5 Extender Evonik Grind for 15 min. at 10 m/s. Add and stir for further 10 minutes at low speed DAPRO DF 7005 0.1 Defoamer Elementis Specialties Tapwater 9.7-X Diluent Add under stirring Binder Emulsion 32.1 Binder DAPRO FX 511 0.8 Coalescing agent Elementis Specialties Dowanol DPnB Coalescing agent Dow Add and stir slightly for 10 min. Rheological additive(s) X Rheological additive Elementis Specialties Ammonia Solution 0.2 ph adjustment Biocide 0.1 In can preservative Schülke&Mayr 100.0 The PVC 50% paint was equipped with various binder system. In the first case, a styrene acrylic (Acronal S 790, BASF), in the second a Vina-Veova (Vinavil 03V, Vinavil) and in the third case a vinyl acetateethylene (VAE) (Mowilith LDM 1871,Celanese) based system was used. Graph 3: Efficiency evaluation of RHEOLATE HX 6008 and 6050 in a Styrene-acrylic PVC 50% paint * 1 Pas = 10 P (Poise) 9

Part 1: Efficiency Evaluation in different Binder Systems Both rheology modifiers provided similar flow character (see previous page). Only a marginally stronger Newtonian flow was shown with RHEOLATE HX 6008. However, the formulation with RHEOLATE HX 6050 resulted in higher viscosity values over the entire shear rate range in comparison to the formulation with RHEOLATE HX 6008. Graph 4: Efficiency evaluation of RHEOLATE HX 6008 and 6050 in a Vina-Veova based PVC 50% paint * 1 Pas = 10 P (Poise) In the Vina-Veova (graph 4) and VAE based paint (graph 5), RHEOLATE HX 6050 provided the strongest mid and high shear contribution. RHEOLATE HX 6050 surpassed RHEOLATE HX 6008 in terms of high-shear viscosity > 1000s -1 and mid-shear KU viscosity values, around 100s -1. Graph 5: Efficiency evaluation of RHEOLATE HX 6008 and 6050 in a Vinyl-acetate-ethylene based PVC 50% paint 10 * 1 Pas = 10 P (Poise)

Part 1: Efficiency Evaluation in different Binder Systems Part 1: Summary In this part of the study, it was shown that RHEOLATE HX 6008 provided the strongest Newtonian flow character together with the highest viscosities at high shear rates in the pure acrylic system. In Vina- Veova and VAE based paints RHEOLATE HX 6050 was dominant. In styrene-acrylic paints and coatings, both RHEOLATE HX 6008 and RHEOLATE HX 6050 performed very similar. Nevertheless, in all systems, higher mid-shear viscosity build was provided by RHEOLATE HX 6050. This was particularly the case in acrylic, and to a somewhat lesser extend, with styrene-acrylic systems. This, on the first view, appears as advantage. However, it also means that with very low dosage of RHEO- LATE HX 6050 could result in an extraordinary increase of the mid-shear viscosity. Graph 6 and 7 show the viscosity increases when using RHEOLATE HX 6008 and RHEOLATE HX 6050 in the different binder technologies. Graph 6: ICI viscosity increase at 1% loading of using RHEOLATE HX 6008 and 6050 in various latex technologies Graph 7: KU viscosity increase at 1% loading of using RHEOLATE HX 6008 and 6050 in various latex technologies 11

Part 2: Complexity Reduction One way to control costs in paint production is to reduce the number of thickeners and therefore the number of raw materials. This results in a reduction of the complexity of a formulation and a simplification of formulators practice. Many formulating practices require a combination of a high shear - and a low/mid shear thickener in order to meet a targeted rheological profile. RHEOLATE HX 6008 and RHEOLATE HX 6050 have the ability to take over the functions of both high shear - and a low shear thickener. To illustrate this properties, RHEOLATE HX 6008 and RHEOLATE HX 6050 were evaluated in relevant paint systems were its performance was seen to be dominant in part 1 of this study. Market references, typical combinations of commercially available low/mid shear thickener and a high-shear viscosity builder were taken. In case of RHEOLATE HX 6008 the pure acrylic based PVC 30% paint was chosen. RHEOLATE HX 6050 was formulated in the VAE based PVC 50% paint systems. To have reference viscosity values, all paints were adjusted to identical mid shear/ku and high-shear (10000 s -1 ) viscosities. The following values were targeted: Table 1: Targeted viscosity values for RHEOLATE HX 6008 and 6050 RHEOLATE HX 6008 RHEOLATE HX 6050 System Acrylic, PVC 30% VAE, PVC 50% Mid shear / KU viscosity [units] High-shear / ICI viscosity [poise] (10000 s -1 ) 118 ± 1 105 ± 1 3 ± 0.2 1.5 ± 0.2 Graph 8: Concentration comparison with RHEOLATE HX 6008 and 6050 versus other additive combinations RHEOLATE HX 6008 - acrylic PVC 30% RHEOLATE HX 6050 - VAE based PVC 50% paint Both, RHEOLATE HX 6008 and RHEOLATE HX 6050, show the ability to replace a combination of a mid/low shear and a high shear thickener. Further, both grades demonstrate markedly higher effectivity so that it was possible to achieve the required mid and high shear viscosities at significantly lower quantities. 12

Viscosity [Pas] Part 2: Complexity Reduction Graph 9: Flow characteristic comparison with RHEOLATE HX 6008 and 6050 versus other thickener combinations RHEOLATE HX 6008 - acrylic PVC 30% RHEOLATE HX 6050 - VAE based PVC 50% paint 100 10 1 1.6% RHEOLATE HX 6050 2.35% Combination 1 0.1 0.1 1 10 100 1000 Shear rate [s -1 ] RHEOLATE HX 6008 provides slightly more Newtonian flow in the acrylic PVC 30% paint than both formulations with competitive products. At a shear rate of approximately 100 s -1, a crossover point of all formulations appeared. This 100 s -1 coincides with the mid-shear/ku viscosities where the formulations were initially adjusted to. The right graph shows that RHEOLATE HX 6050 in the VAE based PVC 50% paint resulted in less shear thinning flow compared to formulations containing the competitive grades. At a mid-shear/ku viscosity of about 100 s -1 both curves were again very close. Table 2: Application results with RHEOLATE HX 6008 in an acrylic PVC 30% formulation Rheological Additive Sag Loading resistance [%] [µm] Levelling Brush-out Roller Spatter 0-poor 0-poor 10-excellent 5-excellent RHEOLATE HX 6008 1.5 400 3 4-5 5 Combination 1: ICI KU Combination 2: ICI KU 3.4 0.3 2.0 0.1 400 3-4 5 5 400 3 5 5 Table 3: Application results with RHEOLATE HX 6050 VAE PVC 50% Rheological Additive Sag Loading resistance [%] [µm] Levelling Brush-out Roller Spatter 0-poor 0-poor 10-excellent 5-excellent RHEOLATE HX 6050 1.6 500 5-6 5 4-5 Combination 1: ICI KU 1.0 1.35 >500 3 4 4-5 13

Part 2: Complexity Reduction Both, RHEOLATE HX 6008 and RHEOLATE HX 6050, provided equal or comparable sag stability with blade application in comparison to the reference rheology modifier combination. The use of RHEO- LATE HX 6008 resulted in almost equal levelling, while using RHEOLATE HX 6050 resulted in a significant improvement in levelling with brush application in comparison to the reference additive combinations. Properties such as brush out and roller spatter for both RHEOLATE HX formulations were also similar to the reference formulations. Part 2: Summary In this part of the study, it was shown that RHEOLATE HX 6008 and RHEOLATE HX 6050 have the ability to replace both, the combination of a mid- and a high-shear thickener. The resulting performance and application behaviour of the paints with RHEOLATE HX 6008 and 6050 remain very similar to the reference formulations. 14

Part 3: RHEOLATE HX 6008 Influence on Final Coating Properties Performance parameters of the finally cured coating, such as gloss, hardness etc, are very critical. Sometimes these performance characteristics can be affected by small changes in the formulation, for instance by selecting another rheology modifier. In this section, the influence of RHEOLATE HX 6008 on the rheological properties and certain paint performance parameters after application and curing of an acrylic parquet lacquer is illustrated in comparison to a leading market reference rheology modifier. 1C Acrylic High Gloss Clear Wood Coating Formulation 1 C High performance wood coating (Glossy) Raw material Weight in % Function Supplier Alberdingk AC 2714 83.00 Binder Alberdingk Boley Add under stirring in the denoted order DAPRO DF 900 1.60 Defoamer Elementis Specialties DAPRO W-77 0.50 Substrate wetting Elementis Specialties Dowanol DPM 4.00 Coalescing agent DOW Dowanol DPnB 5.00 Coalescing agent DOW Rheological additive(s) X Rheological additive Water 5.90-X Diluent Disperse for 10 min. 6 m/s 100.00 The acrylic binder emulsion is a universal self-crosslinking multiphase acrylic dispersion. The binder has a solid content of 44%, MFT of 50 C and König pendulum hardness of 105. This coating formulation is commonly used for parquet varnishes, wood stains sealers, MDF, furniture and general plastics like ABS, PC, etc. In the following tests, the system was adjusted to a DIN 4 cup viscosity of 100 seconds. The DIN 4 cup viscosity of the blank was 14 seconds Graph 10: Efficiency results of RHEOLATE HX 6008 in an acrylic parquet lacquer RHEOLATE HX 6008 required a significant lower loading level than the market reference thickener to achieve the required DIN 4 mm cup viscosity of 100 s. 15

Part 3: RHEOLATE HX 6008 Influence on Final Coating Properties Graph 11: Efficiency results of RHEOLATE HX 6008 in an acrylic parquet lacquer Both formulations, RHEOLATE HX 6008 and the market reference, demonstrated equally high viscosities at high-shear rates when adjusted to equal DIN 4 cup viscosity. Graph 12: Viscosity results of RHEOLATE HX 6008 in an acrylic parquet lacquer RHEOLATE HX 6008 provides higher viscosities at lower and higher shear rates compared to the market reference sample. In the range of the mid shear rates, both formulations display equal viscosity values. This underlines the pre-adjusted viscosity using the DIN 4 mm cup. ( ref graphs, 10, 11) 16

Part 3: RHEOLATE HX 6008 Influence on Final Coating Properties Graph 13: Gloss at 20 using RHEOLATE HX 6008 in an acrylic parquet lacquer The formulation with RHEOLATE HX 6008 displayed markedly better gloss than with the market reference. Graph 14: Pendulum hardness results using RHEOLATE HX 6008 in an acrylic parquet lacquer Parquet lacquers formulated with RHEOLATE HX 6008 showed enhanced film hardness after all tested time periods in comparison to the market reference. 17

Part 3: RHEOLATE HX 6008 Influence on Final Coating Properties Part 3: Summary In this part of the study it was shown that RHEOLATE HX 6008 displays, both improved properties of the cured coating and a significantly higher efficiency in comparison to the market reference. The higher efficiency of RHEOLATE HX 6008 provides up to 40% savings in relation to the required quantity compared to the market reference. Overall conclusion The flow characteristics provided by the RHEOLATE HX grades are predominately Newtonian with a strong enhancement of the viscosity at high shear rates. However, also a noticeably beneficial effect on the mid shear viscosity was noticed in all tested systems. This is the main performance provided by both RHEOLATE HX thickeners, differentiating them from other usual commercially available thickener classes. RHEOLATE HX 6008 RHEOLATE HX 6050 Acrylic VAE Alkyd Vina-Veova Styrene-acrylic Styrene-acrylic The RHEOLATE HX range is a newly developed high efficient next generation nonionic synthetic associative thickener technology for water-borne systems that provide excellent high shear rate viscosity build (ICI) with additional low and mid-shear contribution significant savings of the amount of thickener depending on the latex chemistry complexity reduction in paint formulation and paint production reduction on the influence on paint film properties or can even improve them Both RHEOLATE HX 6008 and RHEOLATE HX 6050 work across a wide range of binder chemistries. Each of them has its specific strength in a certain binder chemistry. Ecolabel information is readily available 18

Appendix Test methods The rheograms are determined using the Anton-Paar MCR 301 rheometer, equipped with measuring geometry PP 50, at a gap width of 1 mm and at a temperature of 23 C. Mid-shear/KU (Krebs-Stormer), high-shear/ici (at 10000 s -1 ) and DIN 4 cup viscosity is measured in accordance with the Elementis standard methods of testing, 24 hours after manufacturing the paints. Note, 1 Pas equals 10 P (Poise). Levelling was determined using test blade 419 and after brush application. The characteristics were judged visually on a scale from 0 to 10 (in case of blade testing) and 1 to 5 (in case of brushout testing). The higher the mentioned number indicates better performance. Sag was tested using a test blade with applicable ayer thicknesses of 100-1000 µm. The displayed values indicate the maximum applicable layer thickness without runners. To test the roller spattering performance, 40g of the individual paint are rolled on a vertical wall in 10 cycles. The spatters are collected on a black leneta chart positioned underneath. The number of spatters are judged visually on a scale from 1 to 10. The higher the mentioned number indicates better performance. Gloss is measured in accordance with DIN EN ISO 2813 using the Byk-Gardner Haze/Gloss tester at an measuring angle of 20 C. Pendulum hardness is determined in accordance with DIN EN ISO 1522 according to König. Learn more about our products and visit our website! www.elementis-specialties.com or email us at: waterinfo@elementis.com Elementis UK Ltd c/o Elementis GmbH Stolberger Strasse 370 50933 Cologne, Germany Tel: +49 221 2923 2066 Fax: +49 221 2923 2011 Elementis Specialties, Inc. 469 Old Trenton Road East Windsor, NJ 08512 USA Tel: +1 609 443 2500 Fax: +1 609 443 2422 Elementis Specialties Asia No. 99 Lian Yang Road Songjiang Industrial Zone Shanghai 201613 P.R. China Tel: +86 21 57740348 19