INNOVATIONS THAT DRIVE SUSTAINABILITY

Effect pigments based on recycled aluminum

Our new AL-II-pigments consist of recycled aluminum only. Since our production relies solely on renewable energy, these novel aluminum pigments have the lowest carbon footprint worldwide. Yet their brilliance and functionality rank equal to our traditional products. Depending on the coating system in question, there are different types of AL-II pigments. For industrial and automotive coatings, we designed three products within the STAPA^â METALLUX portfolio (AL-II 2195, AL-II 2156, AL-II 214) and three based on the STAPA^â IL HYDROLAN family (AL-II 2195, AL-II 2156, AL-II 214). The three pigments based on the STANDART^â PCU (AL-II 5000, AL-II 2000, AL-II 1000) are designed for powder coatings. For plastics, there are two AL-II pigments in the STAPA^â WM REFLEXAL group (AL-II 214-80, AL-II 2156-80) and two in the MASTERSAFE BCR portfolio AL-II 16-20, AL-II 34-20).

Pigments, pastes and powders for compostable systems

Can aluminum and pearlescent pigments be used in compostable products? Five of our pastes and powders have been certified accordingly: STAPA^â HYDROXAL E 8 SEED (aluminum paste for water-based systems), STAPA^â IL HYDROLAN S 1500 (thin encapsulated silver pigments for coatings), STANDART^â CHROMAL VIII (aluminum pigments in powder form for coatings and printing), SYMIC C001 (synthetic pearlescent pigments), LUXAN C393 (glass-based pigments for coatings and printing inks,) comply with the composting process according to DIN EN 13432.

Deinkable: ECKART metallic inks suitable for paper recycling

To reuse packaging and other paper products as raw material for paper production, the material needs to be deinked first. Deinking is a prerequisite for the usability of paper waste as raw materials for new quality paper products. Based on their Method 11, the International Association of the Deinking Industry (INGEDE) evaluated ROTOSTAR Aqua, SILVERSHINE AE 809 NC, and TOPSTAR UV FPG 721 1000 Silver as “good” for deinking and proves that recyclable packaging does not have to do without brilliant metallic effects.

NIR SILVER: tailormade pigments to support the automatic plastics recycling process

Working with Near Infrared (NIR) sensors, automatic plastics recycling systems have difficulties identifying and sorting the goods according to their polymeric resins when these are colored with conventional silvers. To make the sorting process smoother, ECKART tailored a new group of silver pigments which are NIR detectable. Producing varying impressive metallic effects, NIR SILVER pigments reflect the essential wavelength fingerprints required to identify the polymeric system. As a result, they allow a rapid and non-destructive analysis to sort post-consumer PET, HDPE, PP, and PS.

MASTERSAFE BCR: novel product line with bio-based aluminum preparations

With MASTERSAFE BCR, ECKART launches a novel product line which supports the plastics industry’s commitment to reduce emissions. Instead of fossil materials, the new MASTERSAFE BCR preparations use bio-based sources as a carrier for the aluminum pigments. Two of the preparations even contain pigments based on recycled aluminum. In total, the product line consists of six silver dollar preparations with different particle sizes and two Cornflake types. The preparations are suited to food packaging and compatible with a broad range of polymer systems, including LDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, ABS, nylons, and other engineering resins. Delivered as pellets, MASTERSAFE BCR preparation guarantee a clean, safe, and dust-free handling and metering.

TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION – SPACER TECHNOLOGY

EDELSTEIN Sapphire Blue with the Spacer technology : a novel class of pearlescent pigments

Strong deep blue color, distinct light-dark flop plus anti-fading effect – that is what characterizes EDELSTEIN Sapphire Blue. The innovative product is one of the first in a novel class of pearlescent pigments that feature a unique structural element. This structural element can be described as a layer of nanocavities called spacers. It is based on the identically named patented technology by ECKART which offers significant improvements in chroma, sparkle, lustre, and stability. EDELSTEIN Sapphire Blue is suited to a wide range of technologies and applications, including interior and exterior coating systems, plastics, and printing. The CFX version is characterized by high weathering and moisture resistance as well as strong intercoat adhesion.

NEW TRENDS AND PRODUCTS FOR THE COATING INDUSTRY

Futurism revisited: Our Trend Colors for 2024

Can science and technology still drive transformation? When exploring this pressing question, our trend scouts found inspiration in the esthetics of the 20century Futurist Movement and identified five major trends for 2024 – Hope, Power, Extravaganza, Progress, Essentials. In total, these fascinating visuals supply 30 exciting new coating formulations based on our effect pigments. Welcome to our Trend Colors 2024 that celebrate the human capacity to make tomorrow a better world.

New, special effect pigments for autonomous driving

SYMIC A604 and SYMIC OEM Superfine Opaque Silver pigments provide a fascinating silver-grey finish with an excellent hiding power. The two new pigments complement our portfolio of products for autonomous vehicles which is characterized by combining a metallic finish with the functional properties and low radar damping of pearlescent pigments. SYMIC OEM Superfine Opaque Silver is designed for exterior and SYMIC A604 for interior applications.

Two new whites in our SILVERSHINE portfolio

Our two new SILVERSHINE whites expand the potential of current coating trends considerably. Based on our premium silver dollar pigments, SIlVERSHINE Ceramic White creates an elegant immaculate white surface which combines a pure porcelain shade with a subtle metallic shimmer. SILVERSHINE Xenon White, on the other hand, changes from a smooth silvery effect to a metallic blue hue, depending on light and viewing angle.

Absolutely structureless grey with prismatic effects

Looking for an absolutely structureless grey metallic? Try our two new SILVERSHINE products! Both are based on the worldwide most finest silver dollar pigments and result in a smooth metallic finish with a bluish undertone. When exposed to light, they produce surprising prismatic effects. For a lighter optics, there is SILVERSHINE Titanium Grey and for the darker version there is SILVERSHINE Platinum Grey.

SILVERSHINE 400: Finest silver dollar pigment of the SILVERSHINE 400 series

The new silver dollar pigment SILVERSHINE 406 impresses with its smooth and structureless metallic effect. It presents itself free of the typical graininess seen in coarser pigments. At the same time, its hiding power is about 20% higher than that of our previous finest pigment, SILVERSHINE 408, and it exhibits virtually no scattering properties.

The darkest black ever

METALUREâ Ultra Black, part of the well-established METALURE® family, is based on non-toxic chromium. The VMP-pigment is designed for single layer coatings, used especially in vehicle trims, but can also be applied in low solids solvent-borne systems for consumer electronics, wheel rims, household appliances, sports equipment, bicycles, and glass coatings. METALUREâ Ultra Black provides the darkest metallic chrome effect so far. Starting with a strong black, its intense metallic flop changes into an ultra dark chrome shade when exposed to light reflection. Besides its outstanding optic effects, the pigment excels with a number of functional advantages.

STAPAâ ALLUMINATE 7000 for smooth, polished and brushed metallic looks

The new STAPAâ ALLUMINATE 7000 pastes complement our existing ALLUMINATE portfolio with extremely bright shades. The finer grades of this series are explicitly designed to achieve the currently much desired brushed, textureless metallic looks. The 7000 series is based on non-leafing silver dollar pigments and characterized by its excellent combination of brilliance and hiding power.

Guiding formulations for RAL Classic effect colors and DB color shades

Our SYMIC PCE, STAY/STEEL and STANDART® PCBF products for powder coatings are perfectly suited to match RAL Classic effect colours and DB colour shades. Offering a cost-effective alternative for the formulations, the pearlescent and metal powders are explicitly designed for powder coating applications. They are easy to process, without bonding in most cases. At ECS 2023, we provide guiding formulations based on solid-colour fine texture powder coatings. Applications also include weather stable outdoor applications.

Innovative corrosion protection for multi-metal structures

Corrosion protection for multi-metal structures presents several challenges, since pure zinc, traditionally used for anti-corrosion purposes, is not an appropriate material for the protection of aluminum structures. STAPAâ 15 ZnMg26, our new proprietary alloy, offers an innovative solution. Based on zinc and magnesium, the alloy allows an electrochemical potential close to magnesium and provides perfect conditions for sacrificial corrosion protection for structures made of steel and aluminum, e.g. trailers. The flake shaped product is available as a dust-free, easy to handle paste. To tailor the corrosion protection, it can be combined with our well established zinc products, e.g. STANDARTâ, STAPAâ or ProFLAKEâ Zn 3000.

New zinc flake for heavy duty coatings

ProFLAKEâ Zn 3000 enriches our successful zinc flake portfolio with the coarsest particle grade so far – the average particle size comprises 30 mm. As a result, the new product provides an excellent performance when formulating primers and other heavy duty coatings – according to the new release of DIN/ISO 12944C5 or the AMPP (SSPC) Paint 29. The flake-shape with high surface are of ProFLAKEâ Zn 3000 allows to obtain percolation at significantly lower loading than with conventional zinc dust. The lower loading allows more flexibility in the formulation – another advantage over zinc dust.

SOLUTIONS FOR AM AND 3D PRINTING

Innovative umbrella brand for 3D-printing

AMspheres is our new umbrella brand for 3D-printing applications. The portfolio offers metal powders and alloys. Typical applications in the segment automotive industry include prototype production as well as heat exchanger components, components for electrical technology, or induction coils. The three types of AMspheres powders are based on titanium, aluminum, and copper respectively and available in different grades and particle sizes. Depending on the metal, they are suited to the established 3D-printing processes, e.g. Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), Electron Beam Melting (EBM), Laser Cladding. Other application areas are e. g. Metal Injection Molding (MIM), Thermal Spray or Cold Spray. Our AMspheres metal and metal alloy powders are manufactured with the help of state-of-the-art atomizer technology. They are based on titanium, aluminum, and copper. Special alloys containing for example zirconium, nickel, niobium, and iron and can be produced according to customer specifications.

New alloys for aerospace applications

A20Xä is our patent protected alloy explicitly designed for Additive Manufacturing (AM). It is based on the strongest aluminum alloy currently available. The unique product is aerospace approved and opens new possibilities for flight-critical components. It is also suited to other applications, e.g. for the high-end automotive industry. A20Xä features outstanding technical properties (e.g. high tensile strength and good fatigue properties). It is compatible with all laser powder bed machines.

NEW PRODUCTS FOR THE PRINTING INDUSTRY

METALURE® UV FPG: A new dimension in food packaging

With its three exciting silver shades, the METALURE® UV FPG series brings a new dimension to food packaging. The three new dual-curing silver inks allow bright, brilliant, and chrome effects respectively. Based on our non-leafing VMP-pigments, the dispersions are suited to flexo, offset, and screen printing applications and perfect for formulating stable, radical-curing one-component inks for board, paper, films and tube laminates.

ROTOVARIO 550 FPG: 100 per cent mineral oil free

The future of silver starts with ROTOVARIO 550 FPG! The four new pastes with silver dollar pigments contain no aromatic or aliphatic solvents and are a 100 per cent mineral oil free, thereby fulfilling the MOSH/MOAH regulations for 2025 already today. The non-leafing silvers are suited to food packaging and provide bright, highly brilliant, and opaque results in solvent based gravure and flexographic applications based on paper or film. They can also be used in shrink sleeve applications, all types of labels and all applications with highest sensory requirements.