Solvents for the paints, coatings and adhesives industry

Market requirements for the paint, coating and adhesive industry

Solvents play an important role in industrial production. They are mainly used in the paint and coating, printing ink and adhesive industries. The demands are clearly defined.

High quality solvents must above all

be free from harmful aromatic compounds
show a consistent purity and
do not contain unsaturated compounds.

As a long-standing partner, Haltermann Carless meets the requirements of its’ customers in the paint, coating and adhesives industry and convinces as a qualified manufacturer with high-quality solvents for the various application needs.

The paint and coating industry

The paint and coating industry is an important economic sector worldwide. The spectrum of services is large and ranges from classic construction paints and plasters to state-of-the-art industrial coating materials and bright printing inks. Car series production and car repair paints are just as much a part of the industry as window coatings or effective corrosion protection for bridges, ships and steel girders.

In Germany, around 2.6 million tons of paints and coatings are produced annually. The country has around 250 paint and printing ink factories, which employ over 25,000 people and have an annual turnover of almost € 8 billion. (Source: Association of German Paint and printing ink industry / Verband der dt. Lack- und Druckfarbenindustrie e.V.).

Adhesives industry

Another important industrial pillar is the adhesives industry, which has a wide range of applications. This includes markets such as construction, electrical & electronics, automotive, wood & furniture, adhesive tapes, adhesives for household, hobby & office, medicine & medical technology, paper & packaging adhesives, shoes & leather or soft foam processing.

These multiple applications has led there to be more than 250,000 different adhesive formulations worldwide, whose performance profiles are determined by the respective application. By modifying base materials, adding additives, etc., these adhesives are bespoke developments, which achieve the perfect composition for a wide variety of end applications.

Solvents are used in a variety of adhesive types, for example in adhesives based on polychloroprene (CP), polyurethane (PUR, PU), acrylate, silicone, plastisol/polyvinyl chloride copolymers (PVC), polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, nitrocellulose, styrene-butadiene rubber or butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber.

Paints & Lacquers

The paints and coatings sector is a traditional application area for Haltermann Carless’ hydrocarbons. More than half of all solvents produced are processed by this industry. In the past, mainly aromatic compounds such as toluene or xylenes were used for this purpose due to their high solvency power. More recently the use of these molecules is declining, as they are increasingly viewed as problematic in terms of environmental impact and health aspects.

In paints, paraffins such as n-heptane, n-octane and iso-octane are rarely used as pure components because their solvency power is significantly lower than that of aromatic compounds. However, they are indispensable for many specific applications. The iso-octane is often used as an aromatic-free substitute in thinners for paints and coatings or as a medium for cleaning brushes and tools. When used in a paint, the moderately rapid evaporation ensures an even result.

Acrylic paints

Acrylic paints such as classic wall paints are based on a dispersion of plastic polymers in water. The base of the paint must have both water-friendly and water-repellent properties in order to be able to incorporate all components of the formulation. To achieve this, the polymer is first prepared in a water/iso-octane emulsion of acrylic esters. The paraffin is removed and then the polymer is further built up with water-soluble components. This gives it both desired properties in one molecule. Pure paraffins ensure a precisely controllable reaction here.

Adhesives

Another very important application is adhesives. Paraffinic solvents such as n-heptane are used as solvents for adhesives to avoid swelling or dissolving the materials to be bonded. Foamed polystyrene, elastomers and many other plastics are dissolved by common adhesive formulations and cannot be bonded. Formulations that use paraffins instead of esters or aromatics have an advantage in this respect.

In the production of adhesive films, resealable packaging and labels, n-octane or iso-octane are used in particular. This application is similar to the adhesives used for bonding plastics. The octane does not penetrate into the carrier material of the adhesive film, meaning that the film remains clear and does not deform. Naphtha cuts with a wide boiling range are often used instead of pure paraffins. Although naphtha is cheaper, the properties of the adhesive or adhesive film are less controllable. Higher precession results can be achieved with the use of n-heptane which has a narrow, well-defined boiling range.

Greases, silicones and other lubricants and coolants

To apply highly viscous silicone greases or oils to surfaces, they are diluted with an inert, volatile paraffin. This creates a thin, uniform film of the lubricant. This is necessary to avoid an excess of lubricant and the resulting costs. Some seals and plastic components are partially softened in paraffinic solvents before final assembly to give them the appropriate shape. The paraffin acts as a plasticiser that penetrates into the structure of the plastic without dissolving or destroying it. This allows pipes to be simply pushed into one another. If the solvent evaporates, the parts shrink back into shape and bond permanently.

Cleaning and degreasing agents

Cold cleaners for degreasing workpieces, tools or brake pads consist to a very large extent of paraffins. They do not attack surfaces, painted areas and plastics, yet reliably remove residues of lubricants and preservative agents.

Hydrocarbons 95 %

Hydrocarbons 95%	CAS-No.	Colour	Density	Destillation Rate	Evaporation Rate	Refractive Index	Aniline Point	Aromatic content	Non-Volatile Matter	Flash Point	Vapor Pressure	Kinetic Viscosity
Typical Properties		ISO 6271	@ 15°C kg/m³ ISO 12185	°C @ 101.3 kPa ASTM D 1078	(Ether = 1) DIN 53170	ⁿD²⁰ DIN 51423-2	°C ISO 2977	% m/m GC/UV-Spectroscopy	mg/100ml DIN 53172/ASTM D 1353	°C ISO 2719/ISO 13736	kPa @ 20°C (1 kPa = 10mbar)	mm²/s (cSt) @ 20°C ISO 3104
n-Heptane	142-82-5	< 5	688	97-100	3.1	1.388	70	< 0.02	< 2	< -4	3.9	0.58
iso-Octane (2,2,4-Trimethylpentane)	540-84-1	< 5	696	98-101	2.9	1.392	79	< 0.01	< 2	-10	3.7	0.68
n-Octane	111-65-9	< 5	708	124-127	8.0	1.398	73	< 0.01	< 5	+12	1.3	0.74
iso-Pentane	78-78-4	< 5	624	27-29	< 1.0	1.354	-	< 0.001	< 2	< -20	56.9	0.35
n-Pentane	109-66-0	< 5	631	36-38	1.0	1.358	69	< 0.01	< 2	< -20	40.9	0.39
n-Hexane	110-54-3	< 5	665	68-70	1.5	1.375	68	< 0.01	< 2	< -20	12.5	0.47
n-Octane	111-65-9	< 5	708	124-127	8.0	1.398	73	< 0.01	< 5	+12	1.3	0.74
n-Nonane	111-84-2	< 5	723	150-154	24.0	1.405	74	< 0.03	< 5	-30	0.38	0.96
n-Decane	124-18-5	< 10	733	172-177	67.0	1.412	77	< 0.01	< 5	+45	0.16	1.12

Hydrocarbons 99 %

Hydrocarbons 95%	CAS-No.	Molecular weight	Density	Boiling Point	Solidification Point	Refractive index	Flash Point	Specific Heat	Heat of vaporization	Vapour pressure 25°C	Surface tension	Kinematic viscosity
Typical Properties			at 20°C kg/m³ ISO 12185	at 101.3 kPa (1013 mbar) °C	°C	ⁿD²⁰ DIN 51423-2	°C ISO 2719/ISO 13736	cp kJ/kg.K at 20°C (1kj = 0.239 kcal)	ΔH kJ/kg (1 kJ = 0.239 kcal)	in kPa (1kPa = 10mbar)	at 20°C mN/m (dyn/cm)	mm²/s (cSt) at 20°C ISO 3104
n-Heptane	142-82-5	100.2	684	98.4	-90.6	1.3875	-1	2.208	316.5	6.26	19.3	0.61
iso-Octane (2,2,4-Trimethylpentane)	540-84-1	114.2	692	99.3	-71.8	1.3915	-12	2.074	271.6	6.04	18.8	0.70
n-Octane	111-65-9	114.2	705	125.7	-56.8	1.3975	+12	2.196	301.1	2.00	21.8	0.78
iso-Pentane	78-78-4	72.1	620	27.8	-160.0	1.3540	< -35	2.258	339.0	91.74	15.0	0.36
n-Pentane	109-66-0	72.1	626	36.0	-131.0	1.3575	< -35	2.372	357.5	68.39	16.0	0.38
n-Hexane	110-54-3	86.2	660	68.7	-95.3	1.3750	-23	2.263	335.1	20.24	18.4	0.47
n-Nonane	111-84-2	128.3	718	150.8	-53.5	1.4054	+31	2.108	286.5	0.66	22.9	1.00
n-Decane	124-18-5	142.3	730	174.1	-29.7	1.4120	49	2.103	276.3	0.23	23.9	1.27

Offering a high quality and comprehensive services to our customers has been our driving force for generations. At our ISO 9001 certified production sites we have modern equipped laboratories with extensive measuring and analysis equipment. Our own laboratories ensure our high standards and allow for tailor-made tests for customers. The additional ISO/IEC 17025 (DAkks) accreditation of our German laboratory is a good example of the high quality standards, which is highly appreciated by our customers worldwide.

Analysis and tests facilitate high quality assurance

Both our qualified lab employees and comprehensive equipment ensure exact analyses, testing and acceptance of all products when they leave our facility. Our equipment allows for a wide range of testings, for example:

Flash point
Density
pH-value
Melting Point, Cloud Point and Pour Point
Conductivity
IR- and UV-spectroscopy
Photometry
Gas Chromatography
Ion Chromatography
Karl Fischer Method for Water Determination
Potentiometric Titrations
Viscosity
Sulphur Determination
HPLC Measurements
Colour

Excursus - What is covered by laboratory accreditation according to ISO/IEC 17025?

ISO/IEC 17025 certification is aimed at all laboratories that want to develop and continuously improve their quality through a quality management system. It comprises two main parts: "Management Requirements" and "Technical Requirements". The management requirements relate to the operation and effectiveness of the quality management system within the laboratory and largely correspond to the ISO 9001 standard. The technical requirements describe the competence of the staff, test methods, equipment and quality as well as the preparation of test reports and calibration certificates. In particular, this translates into the qualification of the equipment used and the validation of the methods performed with regard to their accuracy, robustness and reproducibility. In contrast to other ISO standards, the main emphasis lies on the reliability and quality of methods. The focus is on the effective integration of and compliance with the quality management system in the laboratory.

Further information can be found on the website of DAkks.

We implement our traditional values such as customer focus, individuality and future orientation in all of our business areas. Customer and supplier proximity is particularly important to us. Together we can develop the best possible solutions for all requirements in the paint, coating and adhesive industry.

In addition to the laboratory services, Haltermann Carless offers further bespoke service and advice, for example on specifications and formulations, in the area of supply chain or product information, and also for questions concerning REACH, certificates or regulations.

To provide our customers with high-performance products and comprehensive solutions for their individual requirements, we focus on:

Quality

In our production units and laboratories we ensure our high quality standards by qualified employees, professional equipment and modern technologies. This is also reflected in our certifications and accreditations. These include ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 50001 (energy) and ISO 14001 (environment) and ISO/IEC 17025 (laboratory).

Flexibility

Haltermann Carless focuses on flexible solutions in all areas. This is reflected in a high degree of adaptability in the production of high-quality hydrocarbons and individual specifications as well as in customer-oriented solutions in transport, logistics and packaging. Customer focus is a daily aspiration for our work.

Reliability

Our delivery promise and the guaranteed availability of our products have been part of our values for generations. Our customers, whom we supply with our pure solvents, can rely on us - also with regard to the consistently high quality of our products.

Trends

We think ahead, just like our founding fathers did. Digitalisation is a central focus at Haltermann Carless, which we are actively promoting in the area of supply chain, for example with Time Slot Management or Track & Trace systems. Trends are also important to us in the area of sustainability. At our Speyer production site in Germany, our modern hydrogenation plant enables us to manufacture new types of products and processes in an even more environmentally sound manner. We are actively shaping the future of the chemical industry in Europe. We are involved in various associations and working groups and experience trends first-hand. In this way we are well positioned for our customers and the future!

Solvents for the paint, coating and adhesive industry

Market requirements for the paint, coating and adhesive industry

Advantages of our solvents for the paint, coating and adhesive industry:

Contact

Sales Contacts

Brochures

The paint and coating industry

Market studies expect annual global growth averaging
4 % up to 2025 for the paint and coating market.

Global market outlook

Adhesives industry

In Germany, approximately 1.5 million tons of adhesives, sealants and cementitious construction adhesives are produced annually, as well as 1 billion square meters of carrier-bound adhesives (adhesive tapes/adhesive films). (Source: German Adhesives Industry Association)

Global market outlook

Application areas of our solvents

Paints & Lacquers

Acrylic paints

Adhesives

Greases, silicones and other lubricants and coolants

Cleaning and degreasing agents

Data at a glance: Convincing product features

Haltermann Carless solvents at a glance

Hydrocarbons 95 %

Hydrocarbons 99 %

Own laboratories ensure our high quality promise

Analysis and tests facilitate high quality assurance

Excursus - What is covered by laboratory accreditation according to ISO/IEC 17025?

Comprehensive services from production and quality control to transport logistics

Quality

Flexibility

Reliability

Trends

More about the services of Haltermann Carless

Solvents for the paint, coating and adhesive industry

Market requirements for the paint, coating and adhesive industry

Advantages of our solvents for the paint, coating and adhesive industry:

Contact

Sales Contacts

Brochures

The paint and coating industry

Market studies expect annual global growth averaging 4 % up to 2025 for the paint and coating market.

Global market outlook

Adhesives industry

In Germany, approximately 1.5 million tons of adhesives, sealants and cementitious construction adhesives are produced annually, as well as 1 billion square meters of carrier-bound adhesives (adhesive tapes/adhesive films). (Source: German Adhesives Industry Association)

Global market outlook

Application areas of our solvents

Paints & Lacquers

Acrylic paints

Adhesives

Greases, silicones and other lubricants and coolants

Cleaning and degreasing agents

Data at a glance: Convincing product features

Haltermann Carless solvents at a glance

Hydrocarbons 95 %

Hydrocarbons 99 %

Own laboratories ensure our high quality promise

Analysis and tests facilitate high quality assurance

Excursus - What is covered by laboratory accreditation according to ISO/IEC 17025?

Comprehensive services from production and quality control to transport logistics

Quality

Flexibility

Reliability

Trends

More about the services of Haltermann Carless

Market studies expect annual global growth averaging
4 % up to 2025 for the paint and coating market.