Press Release

Columbia, Maryland (October 14, 1998) - The next generation of silica gel flatting agents from Grace Davison, a unit of W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn., have proven their ability to save coatings formulators substantial time and money over older technology flatting agents. Introduced in 1997, the new high-performance SYLOID® C-Series silica gel flatting agents for wood, metal, and leather coatings includes nine products sold throughout North America and around the world.

There are three primary end user benefits of SYLOID C-Series flatting agents, all of which translate directly into time and money savings for the formulator. C-Series products are 30 to 35 percent more efficient than older flatting agents introduced decades ago, yet still popular in today’s coatings formulations. With new, high-efficiency flatting agents such as the SYLOID C-Series, 30 to 35 percent less flatting agent is required to obtain the same film qualities, which means substantial materials savings for the coatings formulator.

In addition to cost savings, by using less flatting agent, coatings formulations exhibit improved film flexibility and elongation, crease whitening, metal marking and burnishing resistance, exterior durability, and stain and chemical resistance. This next generation of silica gel flatting agents are also easier to disperse into coatings than older technology products. With SYLOID C-Series flatting agents added to the coating formulation, natural agglomerates break up quickly and easily, therefore, long mix cycles and/or advanced mixing equipment are not required to achieve coatings with smooth, clear finishes.

Finally, SYLOID C-Series products offer a much narrower particle size distribution and tighter specifications than older flatting agents. This narrower particle size distribution provides a more consistent, reliable flatting agent, and results in smoother films for the end user.

SYLOID C-Series products include SYLOID® C 307, C 906, AND C 907 for high quality wood coatings; SYLOID® C 807, C 809, C 810, and C 812 for coil and general industrial metal coatings; SYLOID® 7000 for use in water-based and solvent-based wood finishes, UV curable systems, and thin film applications such as leather and vinyl upholstery; and SYLOID® C 805 for leather and vinyl applications.

Grace Davison, a leading specialty chemicals company, has founded its success record on a tradition of responding to customer needs worldwide with technologically-superior products and services. Grace Davison is a major global supplier of silica-based products for coatings, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, food, plastics, and petrochemicals. The company is also a leading worldwide supplier of catalysts and additives to the oil refining, plastics, and chemical industries.

Guideline formulations and additional product information can be requested by contacting Grace Davison at 1-800-SYLOIDS (1-800-795-6437).

Media Contacts:
    Anita Tyler, Grace Davison, (410) 531-4251
    Paula Zakrzewski Shepard, Image Ink Public Relations, (860) 228-8056