A technology for the paint and varnish industry has been developed in Russia that allows replacing part of expensive import-dependent raw materials without losing coating quality. This refers to titanium dioxide – a component responsible for the whiteness, brightness, and opacity of paint. Akrilan, a company part of Rusnano, has developed a technology that allows reducing the amount of this expensive component in paint by 15–20% without losing whiteness, opacity, and coating quality.
The technology is based on tiny polymer microspheres hundreds of nanometers in size. They scatter light in a special way, thanks to which the paint remains just as white and dense even with less titanium dioxide in its composition.
Titanium dioxide is one of the main components that makes paint bright white and helps it cover surfaces well. It is used not only in paints but also in cosmetics, paper, and other products. At the same time, for manufacturers, it is expensive and largely dependent on imports. According to various estimates, the global titanium dioxide market exceeds $22 billion, and almost half of this volume is controlled by foreign companies.
The developers stated that the technology does not copy foreign analogues. Comparative mass spectral analysis showed differences from the solutions of leading international manufacturers, which were previously considered the industry standard.
The company expects that the new technology will help reduce the cost of the raw material basket. The planned price of polymer microspheres is about 120 thousand rubles per ton including VAT. For comparison, titanium dioxide in wholesale supplies costs from 200 thousand rubles per ton.
The development can be applied not only in paints and coatings. The company also sees prospects for the production of plastics, paper, cosmetics, and specialized coatings.
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