According to an article in the New Scientist, staff at Purdue University have developed a new superwhite paint is so reflective that it can cool a surface to below the surrounding air temperature, even under sunlight. It could help reduce the use of energy-intensive air conditioning in hot countries. With global energy use expected to grow 90 per cent by 2050, ways to passively keep cool without using energy will be vital in coming decades. While “cool roofs” painted white a

What is printer ink made of? Ink is a liquid or paste that contains pigments or dyes. Pigments give ink its colour and they can come from a variety of sources containing nitrogen compounds – commonly known as dyes. Over 90% of inks that are produced are printing inks, in which colour is imparted by pigments rather than the dyes used in writing inks. Ink is made with a combination of ingredients including varnish, resin, solvents, pigments, and additives including waxes and lu

Resins are typically viscous substances that convert into rigid polymers through a curing process. They are naturally occurring but are now often made synthetically. Some synthetic resins have similar properties to natural plant resins, but many are very different. Resins have many sources and end uses. From paints and coatings to personal and home care, pharma, rubber, plastics, electrical, jewellery and decorative items and many more. Resins in paints and coatings When it c

Industrial paint, as used to protect metal, wood, and a wide range of other materials, possesses a variety of traits that can be manipulated to provide application-specific coverage. Of course, these characteristics depend in a large part upon the ingredients of the paint and the performance specifications of the selected application. Application methods, too, can influence the quality of the paint coverage and determine how well paint adheres to the substrate. Industrial pai

Paint is used to decorate, protect and prolong the life of natural and synthetic materials, and acts as a barrier against environmental conditions. Paints may be broadly classified into decorative paints, applied on site to decorate and protect buildings and other objects, and industrial coatings which are applied in factories to finish manufactured goods such as cars. The constituents of paint Paints contain: pigment(s) - prime pigments to impart colour and opacity. binder (

In the paints and coatings industry, flow properties of the final formulation hold a prime importance. The manufacturing & storage of coatings, the process of application and film formation require a high degree of control on flow to achieve success and desired finish. The study of flow or deformation of materials when subjected to stress is called “Rheology”. Viscosity and rheology are often confused, and they are significantly different concepts. While rheology is the study

Eco-friendly paint, or natural paint, is paint that has been specially designed to have lower levels of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs, for short). VOCs are responsible for that familiar fresh paint odour of a conventional paint consists of a variety of greenhouse gases and other environmentally harmful chemicals that are released to the atmosphere as the paint is applied. VOCs are the main reason painting instructions advise that you only work in well-ventilated areas. The

Emulsion paints are basically water-based paint principally used for internal as well as an external surface coating of the building. Emulsion paints are exceptionally durable, impermeable to dirt, resistant to washing and quick drying. They are also easy to clean. Emulsion paint typically consists of pigment, resin, solvent, and additives. As compared to oil-based paint, working with emulsion paint is far better. Many homeowners find it efficient and easy-to-use. It consist

At its most basic an extender pigment is a naturally occurring chemical substance (usually having a white colour) that is added to a paint or coating to improve its properties such as durability, cost, and resistance to corrosion or wear. Fillers and extenders also improve the performance and handling of the paint while being applied. Most fillers and pigment extenders are white or colourless powders. They are generally naturally occurring minerals which are processed to remo

We have spent a lot of time looking at ourselves in the past 12 months or so, but possibly not in ways we would have expected. Rather than using mirrors to see reflections of ourselves, we have all become familiar with what we actually look like to others thanks to online meetings, zoom parties etc. As a result even those who have never really taken too much notice of what they look like or how many wrinkles they have, have become aware of the condition of their skin. Further

For years gourmand notes such as caramel, candyfloss and chocolate have been blended to create mouth-wateringly sweet scents, but according to Fragrance Oils International, the world of fragrance is set to be inspired by a whole harvest of ingredients as a bounty of vegetables and spices bring new textures and unique facets of crisp freshness and warmth to launches. AROUSING CURIOSITY Consumers are more experimental than ever before as the barriers between male and female sce

Whilst we are all tired of talking about the awful year that was 2020, it cannot be ignored as it is going to shape the way many industries approach business, new trends and future plans. The beauty and skincare industry is no different. As lockdown saw salons closed most of us had to become our own hairstylists, beauty therapists and nail technicians. We learnt a lot – found some stuff could be done quite successfully at home with a little effort and that, other treatments r

With a growing focus on fitness as a way of life and overall wellbeing, the fashion world has been awash with ‘athleisure’ inspired collections, and it was only a matter of time before this trend filtered into the world of personal care and even household products. From sportswear brands teaming up with personal care brands, to those creating their own product lines to meet the requirements of the ever-growing fitness savvy consumer, active beauty is growing at a rapid pace.

One of the unanticipated and unexpected side effects of COVID-19 has been weight gain or what has been affectionately called 'The Quarantine 15' – that extra weight gained due to stay-at-home sheltering, comfort eating and reduced access to fitness centres and physical activity. This has proven to be a real concern for many. According projections by MarketWatch, the global cellulite treatment market, including topicals, non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments, is expec

According to a report by Grand View Research, the global shampoo bar market size was valued at USD 10.2 million in 2018. Rising awareness regarding plastic waste and more environmentally friendly packaging is propelling the demand for shampoo bars. In order to cut down the increasing burden of plastic waste, customers are adopting packaging free personal care products. Consumer preferences are also leaning towards the use of natural ingredient products for dandruff protection

Kaolin is one of the most indispensable fillers in the paint industry. It is a natural clay raw material, containing Ca and Na and is also known as china clay or kaolin. Kaolinite is one of the most common minerals on earth. It is mined, as kaolin, in Brazil, France, United Kingdom, Germany, India, Australia, Korea, China and the USA. Kaolinite is a soft, earthy, usually white mineral, produced by the chemical weathering of aluminum silicate minerals like feldspar. Depending

Dark Circles, puffy eyes and bags under the eyes are some of the leading concerns for many women (and men). Every year millions are spent on cosmetic treatments to address these common concerns, but not everyone understands the differences between them and this is quite important in order to ensure that the skin care solution chosen is the right one for the job. Dark circles under the eyes are primarily as a result of genetics although the intensity and prominence of the circ