Additives for

biocide-free paints
DISPERSOGEN® SP RANGE
Biocide-free paints contribute to a
healthier indoor climate

We spend around 90 percent of our lives indoors. As our health is affected by the indoor environment,
it is important that the offices and buildings we work in and the homes we live in are as safe and friendly
as possible. As coatings can make a major contribution to a healthier indoor climate, paints that are free
from air pollutants, hazardous substances and allergens are becoming more popular.

Silicate paints, containing water glass such as potassium orthosilicate as a binder, can offer these health
advantages. These mineral paints provide less potential for allergies and are free of biocides however,
still maintain the preservation against microorganisms, fungi and mold because of the alkaline pH of
the paint system. Silicate paints are also known as “breathable” paints as their vapor permeability helps
to create a good room climate. Silicate paints are thixotropic fluids, presenting as thick pastes that
require strong stirring to become a brushable liquid, a characteristic which presents challenges in for-
mulation and application. Consumers prefer convenient paints that are easy to apply while ensuring a
good leveling, therefore mineral paint systems are currently still a niche segment in the paint industry.

As new generation of silicate paints, organosilicate paints are anticipated to provide a major break-
through for the paint industry. Organosilicate paints are a kind of hybrid, blending characteristics of
mineral and dispersion paints, providing improvements such as better flow and film formation proper-
ties, overcoming the drawbacks of classical silicate paints.

TREND REQUIREMENTS DISPERSION SILICATE STANDARD NEW GENERATION

PAINT PAINT ORGANOSILICATE/ ORGANOSILICATE/
BIOCIDE-FREE BIOCIDE-FREE
INDOOR PAINT 1 INDOOR PAINT 2

Health & Vapor permeability /

Wellbeing mineral content
● ● ● ●
Less allergen potential /
biocide-free
● ● ● ●
Less air pollutants /
VOC-free
● ● ● ●

Ecolabel compliant ● ● ● ●
Convenience
Easy to homogenize ● ● ● ●

Easy brushability ● ● ● ●

Good leveling ● ● ● ●

Storage stability ● ● ● ●
Durability /
avoiding microbial growth
● ● ● ●

Easy to formulate ● ● ● ●

● Excellent ● Acceptable ● Unfavorable

1
with stabilizer system Dispersogen SPS or SPG
2
with 2-in-1 additive Dispersogen SP Plus

2
Easier handling and application
thanks to the right stabilizers

Stabilizers are important additives for organosilicate/ biocide-free paint formulations as they have a
major influence on the paint’s flow behavior by buffering the interactions between paint ingredients
(e.g. pigments, fillers, additives). Typically, the primary role of stabilizers is to regulate the increase of
viscosity after production and during storage. In consequence these stabilizers are crucial to improving
the application and film formation properties. With the right stabilizer system, homogenization and
loading, along with the brushing or rolling activity, becomes easier, and additionally the finished film
appearance is optimal.

Currently, the offering of stabilizers for organosilicate/ biocide-free paints on the market is limited.
Clariant understands that it is important to a paint formulator to identify in a short time the most appro-
priate stabilizer system which solves formulation problems and achieves the best paint performance.

In response, Clariant has evaluated its stabilizers as a stand-alone stabilizer (Dispersogen SPS) and
as a stabilizer-combination (Dispersogen SPS/SPG) in organosilicate/ biocide-free paints against indus-
try standard benchmark products. The latest innovation is Dispersogen SP Plus. This is a unique
product on the market because it is the only additive that is used as both a stabilizer and a dispersant.
The organosilicate/ biocide-free test formulations, according to the guide recipe on page 6 and 7, were
prepared and their storage stability and rheological profiles analyzed, evaluating viscosity, pH, yield
point, shear recovery and thixotropy. The results of the evaluation are summarized on the next pages.

Test formulation 1:
Organosilicate/ biocide-free paint formulated with 0.35% benchmark product A
(50% active) + 1.0% benchmark product B (20% active)

Test formulation 2:
Organosilicate/ biocide-free paint formulated with 1.0% Dispersogen SPS
(16% active) + 0.4% Dispersogen SPG (50% active)

Test formulation 3:
Organosilicate/ biocide-free paint formulated with 2.0% Dispersogen SPS
(16% active)

Test formulation 4:
Organosilicate/ biocide-free paint formulated with 0.4% Dispersogen SP Plus
(50% active). The addition of a polyacrylate dispersant is not required.

3
ENHANCED STORAGE STABILITY
Important parameters to evaluate the storage stability of a paint formulation are the measurements of
viscosity and pH over an extended period of time. For this purpose the test formulations were stored
for 28 days in the oven at 50°C to simulate the quality of a paint being for 2 years on the shelf in a
mid-European climate.

Of course, the less the change of pH and viscosity between the initial measurement and after 28 days,
the better the storage stability or shelf life of the formulation.

Changes in viscosity [mPas]

The initial viscosity of all

formulations with Dispersogen®
50°C – 28 days additives are lower than the
formulation with the benchmark
products.

20°C – 28 days > Dispersogen stabilizers show

a smaller change in viscosity
during storage.

20°C – 10 days

20°C – 7 days

20°C – 1 day

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000

Changes of pH-value

In all formulations the pH drops

from 11.4 to 11.2 after 28 days of
50°C – 28 days storage, an acceptable standard
variation.

> Dispersogen stabilizers do

50°C – 10 days not have a negative impact
on the pH during storage

50°C – 7 days

20°C – imme-
diately

11,1 11,2 11,3 11,4

Benchmark A/B
Dispersogen SPS/SPG
Dispersogen SPS
Dispersogen SP Plus

4
IMPROVED RHEOLOGY PROFILE
Specific rheological measurements have been used to characterize the influence of the different stabilizers
on the flow properties of the organosilicate paint formulations. In addition to viscosity and thixotropy
analysis from the flow curves, the kinetics of viscosity recovery after applied shear was investigated,
and the yield point was determined from shear stress controlled measurements; all parameters which
effect the leveling and sagging behavior of the paint and thus the film formation and appearance.

Yield point [Pa]

Yield point is the lowest shear force at which

35 the paint formulation start to flow.

24 > Dispersogen stabilizers are more effective

in lowering the yield point of the formu-
17 lation and thereby contribute to a more
fluid paint appearance.
9

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Shear Recovery [Pa/s]

Shear recovery demonstrates how fast the

3.129 initial viscosity of the paint is regained
after a shear stress has been applied, e.g.
3.043 by stirring paint or applying paint.

1.217 > Dispersogen SPS/SPG help to achieve

comparable leveling results of the formu-
1.000
lation as the benchmark products. Using
Dispersogen SPS or Dispersogen® SP Plus
further improves this performance.
500

1.500

2.500

3.500

Thixotropy [Pa/s]

An organosilicate paint is a rather thick paste.

44.750 The thixotropic structure is broken down when
the paint is stirred or when it is subjected
40.250 to the shearing action of a brush or roller, and
then returns to its initial state a short time
36.720 after the action ceases.

29.220 > Dispersogen stabilizers improve the paint’s

thixotropic profile. Thus, less efforts
are required to homogenize the paint
0

5.000

10.000

15.000

20.000

25.000

30.000

35.000

40.000

45.000

formulation.

Benchmark A/B
Dispersogen SPS/SPG
Dispersogen SPS
Dispersogen SP Plus

5
Product data and guide formulation

TECHNICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL & SAFETY INFORMATION

PRODUCT NAME PRODUCT IONICITY ACTIVE APPEA- DOSAGE IN SUITABLE APEO- VOC HAZARD
CLASS CONTENT RANCE THE PAINT FOR FREE 2 FREE 3 LABEL4
FORMULATION ECOLABEL 1

Dispersogen SPS Quaternary Cationic 16% Yellowish 0.5% - 1.5% ✓ ✓

compound liquid

Dispersogen SPG Amine Nonionic 50% Yellowish 0.2% - 0.8% ✓ ✓ ✓ label-free

derivative liquid

Dispersogen SP Plus Polymer Anionic 50% Viscous 0.3% - 0.5% ✓ ✓ ✓ label-free

liquid

Legend
1 Ecolabel suitability means that the product is suitable for paints that comply with the criteria of the European Ecoflower (2014/312/EU), the German Blue Angel
(RAL UZ 102:2015) and the Scandinavian Nordic Swan (version 3.0, 2015). For detailed information, please consult the corresponding product ecolabel sheet.
2 Free of alkylphenol ethoxylates
3 Below the detection limit, according to ISO 11890-2 and 16000-9.
4 Hazard label (GHS/CLP) according to the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of classification, labeling and packaging of chemical substances and mixtures.

GUIDE FORMULATION STABILIZER COMBINATION STAND-ALONE STABILIZER STABILIZER & DISPERSANT

INGREDIENT FUNCTION 1% DISPERSOGEN SPS + 2.0% DISPERSOGEN SPS 0.4% DISPERSOGEN SP PLUS
0.4% DISPERSOGEN SPG

Water Solvent 20.00% 20.00% 20.00%

Tafigel PUR 44 PU thickener 0.30% 0.30% 0.30%
Tylose MH 6000 YG8 Cellulose thickener 0.08% 0.08% 0.08%
Lopon 895 Dispersing agent 0.30% 0.30% -
Dispersogen SPS Stabilizer 1.00% 2.00% -
Dispersogen SP Plus Stabilizer + dispersant - - 0.40%

Agitan 350 Defoamer 0.40% 0.40% 0.40%

Wükonil HB 3000 Open time enhancer 2.00% 2.00% 2.00%

Tiona 595 TiO2 17.50% 17.50% 17.50%

Finntalc M30SL Talc 5.00% 5.00% 5.00%
Omyacarb 2 GU Calcium carbonate 8.50% 8.50% 8.50%
Omyacarb 5 GU Calcium carbonate 6.50% 6.50% 6.50%
Omyacarb extra GU Calcium carbonate 12.00% 12.00% 12.00%
Water Solvent 1.00% 1.00% 1.00%

Mowilith LDM 1828 VAE-binder 17.00% 17.00% 17.00%

Water Solvent 1.00% 1.00% 1.00%
Tafigel PUR 44 PU thickener 0.50% 0.50% 0.50%
Potassium hydroxide Alkali solution (10% active) 1.00% 1.00% 1.00%
INOCOT K-2837 Potassium solution (28% active) 3.50% 3.50% 3.50%
Dispersogen SPG Stabilizer 0.40% - -
Agitan 350 Defoamer 0.15% 0.15% 0.15%
Water Solvent 1.87% 1.27% 3.17%

100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

6
REGULATORY INFORMATION

PRODUCT NAME REACH RPC AICS DSL ENCS IECSC KECI NECI NZIOC PICCS TSCA
(EU) (Switzerland) (Australia) (Canada) 1 (Japan) (China) 1 (Korea) 1 (Taiwan) (NZ) (Philippines) (USA)

Dispersogen SPS + + - + - + - + + - +

Dispersogen SPG + + + + * + + + + * +

Dispersogen SP Plus + + * + * + + + * - +

* Registration process initiated

1
Specific import regulations might apply. Please contact you local sales representative for more information

7
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BU INDUSTRIAL & CONSUMER SPECIALTIES
Rothausstrasse 61
4132 Muttenz
Switzerland

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