The market is always waiting for new developments and the “sustainability” concept demands good lacquers based on renewable raw materials. We as a lacquer producer collaborated with Pilot Pflanzenöltechnologie Magdeburg (PPM) e. V. in a project funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) to develop new radiation-hardened lacquers based on renewable raw materials. The project lasted over two years and successfully explored the use of vegetable oils in high quality industrial lacquers. The primary aim was to develop new radiation-hardened lacquers based on renewable raw materials. Our project management representative, Dr Sven A. Thomsen (Head of Research & Development), particularly highlights the oil from Iberian dragon’s head (Lallemantia iberica): “The oil from this plant is an outstanding binder; it’s more reactive than linseed oil and cross-links better, so we were able to use it to develop very durable lacquers.” Both its chemical resistance (according to DIN 68861, Part 1) and its fast processing in traditional coating systems were very impressive.
Yet despite all the euphoria given the good results, there is a catch: the plant, which is highly praised in the project, is simply not available in sufficient quantities. The plant all but disappeared from Central Europe 100 years ago, so the quantities needed for industrial use are not available at present. The plant grows in sunny, dry areas, now especially in the Caucasus and the Middle East.
The proportion of renewable raw materials in modern industrial lacquers is in principle still relatively small. In this context, Dr Thomsen proudly emphasizes: “Yet we were able to demonstrate in this project that a BRC (bio renewable carbon) proportion of 30 % can be achieved without reducing the beneficial properties of our lacquers. Once the dragon’s head oil is available in sufficient quantities, we can switch our formulations to this sustainable raw material source.”
We’re on the case! We’ll keep you informed as soon as there’s any news on this subject.
