Evonik launches new biosurfactants TEGO Wet 570 Terra and TEGO Wet 580 Terra for coatings and inks

These biosurfactants are produced by microorganisms in a unique fermentation process. Unlike fossil-based surfactants, they are 100% derived from natural resources. Besides having very low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), their natural origin makes them readily biodegradable and well tolerated by aquatic organisms. TEGO Wet 570 Terra and TEGO Wet 580 Terra are specifically designed for use in waterborne coatings and inks.

Elias Lacerda, Head of Coating Additives at Evonik, said: “With our TEGO Wet 570 Terra and TEGO Wet 580 Terra, we offer our customers completely new high-performance solutions that also drive the green transformation in the paint and coatings industry.”

Their fast wetting of pigments and fillers leads to reduced grinding time and energy consumption, resulting in energy savings and efficient production processes for customers.

Katina Kiep, Head of Decorative Coatings at Evonik Coating Additives, added: “Our TEGO Wet 570 Terra and TEGO Wet 580 Terra are suitable for waterborne decorative paints, industrial and transportation coatings and inks. Their unique properties and the fact that they meet the stringent standards of the EU Ecolabel make them an ideal choice for our customers to formulate coatings for a sustainable future.”

The majority of these biosurfactants are produced in Slovakia. Evonik is leading the development of biosurfactants on an industrial scale with its IP-protected, fermentation-based process for the production of rhamnolipids. Rhamnolipids are produced from renewable corn feedstock using a biotechnological process. The result is a high-performance, non-toxic, biodegradable biosurfactant.

“These new products not only demonstrate our strong innovation capabilities, but also our commitment to driving positive change in the development of environmentally friendly solutions and setting new standards for additives in the coatings and inks industry,” added Tim-Frederic Sloot, Head of Sustainability at Evonik Coating Additives.

Benefits for Decorative Coatings

In decorative paints and pigment concentrates, these biosurfactants provide improved wetting of organic and inorganic pigments and act as beneficial co-dispersants. They improve the wetting speed of pigments and fillers, making the grinding step more efficient and reducing time and energy consumption. They support good hiding power performance without compromising film strength. They also help eliminate defects in sensitive binders and increase bio-based content. There is no negative interaction with rheology modifiers.

Benefits for Industrial Coatings

In industrial coatings, TEGO Wet 570 Terra and TEGO Wet 580 Terra provide excellent substrate wetting for protective coatings and improve pigment wetting and dispersion. They ensure optimum colour properties, improved storage stability and good corrosion resistance. These biosurfactants also support the anti-crater effect in can coatings.

Benefits for Printing Inks

In printing inks, these biosurfactants improve wetting on a variety of substrates. In the dispersion process they speed up and improve the wetting of pigments and fillers. They contribute to the sustainability profile of the inks by reducing VOC levels and improving the biodegradability of the final product.

Evonik’s Coating Additives Business Line offers a wide range of speciality additives for coatings and printing inks. The business has decades of experience in developing products for a range of coatings markets, including decorative coatings, industrial coatings, automotive coatings and printing inks.