WACKER has launched dispersible polymer powders for making biocide-free wall paints, notes a press release from the company. Most paints are produced using water-based binders or raw materials. Water provides a favorable environment for microbes and bacteria, which is why biocides are commonly added when formulating paints.

The new spray-dried polymeric binders based on vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE) enable the manufacture of wall paints in powder form. This technology can be applied without adding biocides and offers key transport and storage advantages because the resulting paints contain no water until they are redispersed just before use. The paints have a very low content of volatile organic compounds (< 1 g/l) and meet the requirements of the major environmental labels. They are also low-odor and free of organic solvents, plasticizers and film-forming agents. The polymers ensure a good adhesion and provide excellent spreading properties, hiding power and scrub resistance, the press release notes.