Nuplex launches a breakthrough technology for the coatings industry
New, innovative coating technology, Acure, introduced by global, specialist chemical company, founded in New Zealand
Yesterday, Nuplex unveiled the world’s latest technological breakthrough in coatings, Acure, an innovative technology
that will significantly benefit manufacturers around the world.
Manufacturers traditionally need to balance the dry time of a coating, with the time at which the paint becomes
unusable, referred to as its pot life. Nuplex’s research and development teams around the globe have decoupled this
adverse relationship to produce Acure.
Acure harnesses leading edge chemistry giving paint and coating formulators the ability to dial in fast dry times with
remarkably long pot lives. When used in coatings applied in large-scale manufacturing processes Acure has the potential
to reduce manufacturing times significantly.
Nuplex’s CEO Emery Severin says Nuplex scientists started working on the technology in 2007 and have developed a system
that has potential to be used in almost all the different industrial coatings markets.
“Acure is built on Michael Addition chemistry, which up until now has been too reactive to be manageable in a coating
context. Developed to precisely control this reaction, the Acure system delivers very fast dry times, extremely long pot
life and cures at low temperatures.
“We’ve already introduced the Acure system to a select group of customers and received very positive feedback. We
anticipate the system will be a breakthrough for Nuplex and the manufacturers that use it,” says Severin.
Acure is being introduced immediately in Europe and America, then in Asia and ANZ towards the end of 2015.
Acure offers increased comfort for workers applying coatings that use the Acure technology because it is low VOC
(volatile organic compound) and is isocyanate and tin free. This is good news for workers and the environment.
In addition to working conditions and environmental benefits, manufacturers that use paints and coatings with Acure will
benefit from enhanced efficiency, less wastage in application and greater flexibility when operating at low
temperatures. Acure is currently being trialed in a number of market segments including agriculture and construction
equipment and protective coating markets.
Nuplex has long been dedicated to creating innovative solutions for the coatings industry.
“Acure is the result of Nuplex’s global investment in research and development. The system was invented in Nuplex’s
Innovation Centre in The Netherlands and refined in R laboratories in Europe and the US,” says Severin.
The technology was unveiled at the European Coating Show (ECS) overnight and was awarded the “Best Paper Award” for the
ECS Congress. The ECS is the largest of its kind in the world, bringing together industry leaders behind paint and
coatings used in markets around the world.
Nuplex employs more than 1,700 staff globally and currently operates 16 manufacturing sites in 12 countries and is New
Zealand’s oldest listed company.
ENDS