Coatings and inks

The coatings and inks industry is under pressure to reduce its environmental impact, with a focus on reducing emissions and transitioning to more sustainable and non-toxic materials. Cellulose nanocrystals have been investigated as a potential additive to improve all aspects of paints, inks and coatings and make them 100% bio-based.

Rheology control: TONACELL® can be used to control the rheology of paints, inks and coatings, improving their flow properties and stability. They enhance the viscosity and thixotropy of products, thus improving application performance.

Emulsification: TONACELL® is used as a stabiliser and emulsifier in paints, inks and coatings. Due to their small size and high surface area, they form stable suspensions which improve performance and reduce settling.

Mechanical properties: TONACELL® can be used to improve the mechanical properties of paints, inks and coatings, such as hardness, flexibility and adhesion. They enhance the strength and durability of products, thus improving performance and lifetime.

Barrier properties: TONACELL® can be used to improve the barrier properties of paints, inks and coatings, such as water resistance and air permeability. They can help form more stable and homogeneous films.

Antimicrobial properties: TONACELL® can be used in paints, inks and coatings as a natural antimicrobial agent to inhibit the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause degradation and discolouration.

Corrosion Inhibitors: TONACELL® can be used as a natural corrosion inhibitor in paints. They form a dense, homogeneous coating on metal surfaces, reducing the risk of corrosion and extending the life of equipment.

Optical: TONACELL® can be used as an optical component in paints, inks and coatings. They can form liquid crystal structures that can be dried to form structural colours for flash and tamper-evident components. They can also be used to enhance colours in formulations.