BASF, one of the world’s leading chemical companies, has introduced a new specialty monomer, hydroxypropyl carbamate acrylate (HPCA). It is a crosslinking acrylate monomer, which reduces the manufacturing process of carbamate-based polymers.
The HPCA has been successfully utilized in clearcoat systems in the automotive industry. It enables one-component coatings instead of two-component coatings. One-component coatings offer high performance in terms of weather and scratch resistance when compared to two-component coatings. In addition, application of one-component coatings is easy and cost-effective.
The HPCA has a unique chemical structure with free carbamate group. The specialty monomer has extra potential for an extensive range of applications in the future. BASF has planned to work with its customers to devise new application areas such as adhesives. The HPCA’s special structure can impact the cohesion and adhesion properties in a positive way.
Researchers from BASF have used a white biotechnology process to manufacture HPCA specialty monomers on a commercial scale. The carbamate-based polyacrylate can later be produced from HPCA. The company has used the biocatalytic procedure for the first time in industrial production.
Source: http://www.basf.com/