Coating Additives

Additives for Architectural Coatings

Architectural coatings rely on functional additives to improve processing, stability, application performance, and final film properties. These additives are typically used at low dosage but have a critical impact on product quality.

Rheology Modifiers (Thickeners),Control viscosity, sag resistance, leveling, and storage stability.
Dispersing Agents,Help wet and stabilize pigments and fillers.
Defoamers (Anti-Foaming Agents),Eliminate foam during production and application.
Wetting Agents / Surfactants,Improve substrate wetting and pigment dispersion.
Coalescing Agents,Help latex particles form a continuous film.
Biocides (In-can & Dry-film Protection),Prevent microbial contamination.

List of coating additives

Dispersant

Category	Product Name	Product Type	Active Content	Product Features	Benchmark Brands
Dispersant	DP-3000	Sodium Polycarboxylate	42-46%	A general-purpose dispersant that provides excellent dispersion of titanium dioxide and inorganic fillers, featuring high dispersion efficiency and good storage stability.	Dow Fast Easy, Nopco 5040, Nouryon 602N
	DP-3000N	Ammonium Polycarboxylate	42-46%	A general-purpose dispersant that provides excellent dispersion of titanium dioxide and inorganic fillers, featuring high dispersion efficiency and good storage stability. Due to the volatilization of ammonium salts, it offers better water resistance than DP-3000.	Dow Fast Easy, Nopco 5040, Nouryon 602N
	D-3010	Hydrophobic Copolymer Dispersant	30%	Excellent water resistance, high dispersion efficiency, and low foaming make it suitable for dispersing pigments and fillers in exterior emulsion paints and water-based industrial coatings.	Nopco 5027, Dow 731A

Wetting Agent

Category	Product Name	Product Type	Active Content	Product Features	Benchmark Brands
Wetting Agent	WA-090	Isomeric Alcohol Polyoxyethylene Ether	/	An environmentally friendly nonionic surfactant free of APEO, featuring rapid wetting, resistance to gel formation, and ease of use.	Dow, Clariant

Defoamer

Category	Product Name	Product Type	Active Content	Product Features	Benchmark Brands
Defoamer	DF-007L	Mineral Oil Fatty Acid Soap Defoamer	Approximate100%	A mineral oil-based defoamer with good compatibility, widely used in architectural coatings, waterproof coatings, papermaking, and water-based adhesives.	Nopco NXZ
Defoamer	DF-008L	Silicone Modified Polyether Defoamer	15%	Offers excellent dynamic defoaming, anti-foaming performance, and long-lasting defoaming capability, with good compatibility	Nopco NXZ

Preservative

Category	Product Name	Product Type	Active Content	Product Features	Benchmark Brands
Preservative	SIP-03	Kathon Preservative	2.50%	High-efficiency, broad-spectrum preservative and biocide suitable for water-based and formaldehyde-sensitive systems	Lanxess, Troy
	SIP-05	BIT+MIT	5%	Blended eco-friendly product with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, suitable for high-temperature and high-pH environments	Lanxess, Troy
	SIP-20	BIT	20%	Features excellent thermal stability and a wide pH range, low toxicity, and is biodegradable	Lanxess, Troy

Coalescing Agent

Category	Product Name	Product Type	Active Content	Product Features	Benchmark Brands
Coalescing Agent	TEX-12	Texanol	/	The most widely used film-forming aid in emulsion paints; insoluble in water with high film-forming efficiency. Improves the water resistance and scrub resistance of the paint film	Eastman Texanol

Rheology & Thickener

Category	Product Name	Product Type	Active Content	Product Features	Benchmark Brands
Rheology & Thickener	RM-628	ASE (Alkali-Soluble Emulsion)	28%	High yield value and gel structure; when used in combination with other thickeners, it prevents sagging and is particularly suitable for textured coatings. Resists sedimentation	Dow ASE-60
	RM-930	HASE (Hydrophobically modified Alkali-Soluble Emulsion)	30%	Primary thickener for water-based coatings; provides an optimal balance between anti-sagging and leveling properties, with excellent flow and application drape	Dow TT-935, BASF, Arkema
	RM-D730	HASE (Hydrophobically modified Alkali-Soluble Emulsion)	30%	Anionic rheology modifier, very similar to high-molecular-weight cellulose ether thickeners, with anti-sagging properties	Dow DR-72
	RM-220	HEUR (Hydrophically modified Ethoxylated Urethane)	20%	A low-odor, high-efficiency high-shear viscosity rheology modifier that provides excellent leveling	Dow RM-2020
	RM-810		17.50%	High-efficiency KU viscosity thickener, which can also serve as a high-shear rheology modifier in systems with large-particle-size emulsions	Dow RM-8W
	RM-825		25%	High-efficiency KU and Brookfield viscosity thickener that improves sag resistance while maintaining excellent leveling properties	Dow RM-12W

Hydroxyethyl Cellulose - Thickener

Category	Product Name	Product Type	Active Content	Product Features	Benchmark Brands
Hydroxyethyl Cellulose - Thickener	HEC-PT30WSE	1600-2600cps	/	Suitable for water-based emulsion paints and textured coatings, featuring high thickening efficiency, product stability, and good mold resistance	Natrol250HBR
Hydroxyethyl Cellulose - Thickener	HEC-PT50WSE	2600-3400cps	/		Natrol250HHBR

Recommended Applications

Interior Paints
Exterior Paints
Decorative Architectural Coatings

Interior Paints

Interior wall paint typically refers to water-based emulsion paint systems, primarily used for interior wall decoration in residential and commercial buildings. Its core requirements are:

Good hiding power and whiteness
Excellent flow and workability
No brush marks or splatter
Environmentally friendly, low VOC
Excellent scrub resistance

1. Basic Formulation Structure of Interior Wall Paint, Interior latex paint generally consists of four core components:

Film-forming agent (emulsion): Styrene-acrylic / pure acrylic emulsion
Pigments and fillers: Titanium dioxide + calcium carbonate + kaolin
Additives for water-based systems
Functional additives (source of key performance properties)

2. Classification and Functions of Core Additives

2.1 Thickeners / Rheology Modifiers, Control viscosity, prevent sagging, and improve application feel

2.2 Dispersants, Used to stabilize titanium dioxide and fillers

2.3 Defoamers,Eliminate bubbles formed during production and application

2.4 Wetting Agents, Improve pigment wetting and spread on the substrate

2.5 Coalescing Agents,Assist in emulsion film formation

2.6 Biocides,Classified as:

In-can biocides
Dry-film fungicides

2.7 pH Adjusters,Common types:

Ammonia solution
AMP-95-type amine neutralizers

2.8 Leveling and Surface Additives

Acrylic leveling agents
Silicone leveling agents

Exterior Paints

Exterior architectural coatings are designed for harsh weather exposure, including UV radiation, rain, temperature cycling, and pollution. Compared with interior paints, they require:

Strong weather resistance (UV + hydrolysis stability)
Excellent water resistance & hydrophobicity
Anti-fungal / anti-algae protection
Crack resistance and flexibility
Long-term color retention

Exterior Paint Types (Product Systems)

1 Acrylic Exterior Paint (Most common)

Binder: Pure acrylic emulsion
Application: Residential & commercial facades
Advantages:
- Excellent UV resistance
- Good flexibility
- Strong adhesion

2 Styrene-Acrylic Exterior Paint

Binder: Styrene-acrylic emulsion
Advantages:
- Cost-effective
- Good water resistance
- Moderate durability

3 Silicone-Modified Exterior Paint

Binder: Silicone acrylic / siloxane modified system
Advantages:
- Superior water repellency
- High breathability (low dirt pickup)
- Excellent durability

4.Elastomeric / Crack-bridging Paint

High flexibility system
Used for:
- Hairline cracks
- Concrete facades
Features:
- Thick film
- High elongation

Decorative Architectural Coatings

Decorative architectural coatings refer to surface finishing systems used for aesthetic + protective purposes in residential, commercial, and public buildings. Compared with industrial coatings, the focus is:

Visual appearance (color, texture, gloss)
Design effects (stone-like, metallic, matte, artistic)
Easy application
Moderate-to-high durability depending on system

They are widely used on:

Interior walls & ceilings
Exterior façades
Decorative feature surfaces (columns, reliefs, panels)

Main Categories of Decorative Architectural Coatings

1 Flat / Matte Emulsion Paint (Basic decorative paint)

Most common interior wall paint
Smooth, low-sheen finish
Cost-effective

Key features:

Good hiding power
Easy application
Low VOC water-based system

2 Satin / Eggshell Paint

Slight gloss, more washable than matte
Used in living rooms, offices, corridors

Key features:

Better scrub resistance
More elegant appearance
Balanced cost-performance

3 High-Gloss Decorative Paint

Reflective surface finish
Used for luxury interiors or feature walls

Key features:

Strong film formation
High leveling requirement
Requires advanced rheology control

4 Texture / Relief Coatings (Decorative effects)

Includes:

Sand texture paint
Stone texture coatings
Roll-pattern coatings

Key features:

3D visual effect
High viscosity system
Strong anti-sag performance

5 Stone-like / Granite Paint (Exterior decorative system)

Multi-color particle system
Mimics natural stone façade

Key features:

High durability
UV resistance required
Complex multi-phase formulation

Couldn't find the answer? We can help!

For more information about our additives and solutions for the building and construction industry, please contact our experts. We use our professional knowledge and experience to help you find the answers and products you need. We look forward to hearing from you.

Coating Additives

Coating Additives

Additives for Architectural Coatings

List of coating additives

Recommended Applications

Couldn't find the answer? We can help!

CONTACT

CATEGORIES

LATEST NEWS

ADDRESS

PHONE

EMAIL