Nurnberg, Germany (8 May 2007) - At the European Coatings Show, Celanese Corporation introduced a series of breakthrough emulsion technologies designed to enhance the performance of coatings and adhesives and meet emerging market needs. The launch of the Mowilith® Nano technology platform for high performance exterior applications represents the future of coatings, creating a nano structure on coated surfaces for outstanding outdoor weathering behavior with remarkably low dirt pick up. Celanese introduced a second breakthrough technology for low-VOC interior semi-gloss coatings with the introduction of Mowilith® LDM 1852, a vinyl acetate ethylene (VAE) emulsion based on core-shell technology that delivers an optimal balance of performance and gloss without coalescent agents. The third technology launched was the first single-component, D4-rated, PVAc-based wood adhesive from a raw material supplier. This emulsion, Mowilith® LDL 1400 W, is designed for challenging outdoor environments and is chemically-free of formaldehyde. These new technologies, along with an on-going commitment to continually advance the performance and environmental profile of coatings and adhesives, allow Celanese to serve the industry with the broadest and deepest range of emulsion technology.

The Celanese portfolio today includes vinyl acetate/ethylene emulsions, acrylics, styrene acrylics, vina-VeoVA and PVOH chemistry, and an all-new nano technology.  According to Moritz Fichtmueller, marketing manager for paints and coatings at Celanese, Mowilith® Nano 9420 is an acrylate/silicon dioxide (SiO2) emulsion that will usher in the next generation of high performance exterior coatings, as it represents a substantial performance improvement over conventional acrylic emulsions in the same system. “It is a breakthrough technology and another good example of the cutting edge work that is being done in our R&D laboratories,” he said.

Leaders in environmentally-sound solutions

Celanese has been at the forefront of technology that has allowed the coatings industry to create breakthroughs for the environment. According to Fichtmueller, "Celanese was the first company to develop a coalescent-free binder technology for low-emission interior consumer paints more than a decade ago," he said. "Our work with low VOC and with other environmental issues continues today. The introduction of Mowilith® LDM 1852, a vinyl acetate ethylene (VAE) emulsion, solves a problem many formulators in Europe have faced for years when trying to lower emissions, yet maintain a critical balance of gloss properties, scrub resistance and block resistance in semi-gloss systems," Fichtmueller said.

One of the most innovative features of the new Mowilith LDM 1852 is the use of core-shell technology, something formulators typically see in acrylic emulsions. Incorporating core-shell technology into the VAE emulsion has allowed Celanese to combine the feature of low minimum film formation temperature (MFFT) with the benefit of high block resistance. No other VAE technology offers this kind of performance in semi-gloss coatings designed for low emissions and low odor.

Keeping adhesives manufacturers ahead of the curve

Celanese announced the commercial launch of a new D4-rated ready-to-use PVAc-based wood adhesive that delivers performance in the most challenging outdoor environments. The patented technology, Mowilith® LDL 1400 W, is suitable for window frames and other demanding exterior applications where a high level of heat and water resistance is required. The single component emulsion is chemically-free of formaldehyde and has been shown to emit very low levels of formaldehyde in use. Celanese is the first raw material supplier to deliver a ready-to-use one-component D4 adhesive with the performance properties required for premium wood products.

According to Arnold van de Laak, marketing manager for adhesives at Celanese, the introduction of Mowilith LDL 1400 W represents the latest effort by Celanese to deliver the right combination of performance and value to wood adhesives manufacturers. "Adhesive performance is essential for the consumer perception of quality in premium door and window frames. At the same time, these wood products face significant challenges in outdoor environments, as they are exposed to temperature extremes and other weather-related damage. Mowilith LDL 1400 W delivers performance that easily meets and exceeds the D4 and Watt 91 specifications for premium wood adhesives," he said. "The real technological breakthrough with Mowilith LDL 1400 W, however, is the product form. As a single component, ready-to-use product with a very favorable environmental profile and a long shelf-life, it is one of the most user-friendly adhesives you will find on the market," he added. Celanese also offers a two-part version of this technology with its Mowilith® LDL 2530 W product.

Experience + Innovation = Value

In both coatings and adhesives, Celanese is committed to driving value into customer products with new technology supported by an industry-leading R&D and technical support group. At ECS 2007, the Celanese technical team, based in Frankfurt, Germany, was on hand to offer state-of-the-art formulating expertise and to optimize the use of their technology portfolio in finished products. In addition, global representatives from the sales and marketing teams across Europe, Asia and North America were on hand to answer inquiries.

About the Emulsions & PVOH Business of Celanese

The Emulsions & PVOH business of Celanese is a global leader in the development and application of polymer emulsion and PVOH technology to improve performance, create value and drive innovation in a broad range of industrial and consumer end-use applications including adhesives, coatings, engineered fabrics, glass fibers, paper, textiles and more. The business has manufacturing, R&D and technical service facilities across North America, Europe and Asia. More information about the Emulsions & PVOH business of Celanese is available at www.connectcelanese.com.

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