Archer Daniels Midland Company

New bio-based dispersant technology has been developed by ADM that provides improved performance properties and cost savings in water base white tint bases. The dispersants are amphoteric, non-polymeric technology derived from a renewable resource platform. The new dispersants effectively stabilize paint and titanium dioxide electrostatically, using a similar mechanism to traditional Na+ or NH4+ carboxylate anionic dispersants. However, the amphoteric nature of the new dispersants have the ability to better adjust to the ionic charge on the TiO2 (whether acidic, electro-neutral, or basic), increasing color acceptance and stability. The dispersants may be used in lower concentrations, and provide the ability to minimize or eliminate the use of additional surfactants in the paint formulation without sacrificing stability or color acceptance. Since they can more readily adjust to the ionic charge on the pigment, a wider range of titanium dioxide can be used in the paint formulation without sacrificing stability or performance. Lower dispersant demand and ability to minimize surfactant use supplies an overall net result of paint cost reduction, improved mechanical properties such as scrub or water resistance. In this paper results of studies comparing the new amphoteric dispersant technology to conventional anionic dispersants in white tint bases are reported. Results show improved color acceptance, stability, rub-up resistance, and mechanical properties. An overall reduction of the formulation cost per gallon was also obtained.