Expanding Opportunities for Functional Surfaces: Self-Degreasing Laminates

By Eric B. Williams, Juan C. Carvajal, Steve McDaniel, LaMaryet Moody, Dwaine Braasch, James Rawlins

Surfaces that simply protect and/or beautify will no longer meet the expectations of the end user in the near future. Today’s customers—from individual consumers to industrial users—demand enhanced functionality, from antimicrobial capability to self-cleaning and self-healing properties. Leaders in the coatings market are beginning to appreciate that unique functionality can be used to ensure not only continued, but highly profitable, growth of the industry.

To provide these features cost effectively, they have sought assistance from resin and additive suppliers. Use of bioengineered additives in particular has been demonstrated to be an effective means for incorporating such unique functionality into paint formulations.The fact that bio-based ingredients are naturally derived, environmentally friendly materials with non-persistent, non-accumulating, and non-toxic profiles makes them a very attractive solution.

Recently, it has been demonstrated that enzymes can also be incorporated into laminates, dramatically expanding the opportunities for creating uniquely functionalized surfaces.