Description

Stahl, world leader in the specialty chemistry of coatings, processing and treatments, provides functionality, durability and comfort to many different materials used in everyday life. Although they may not realize it, millions of people around the world touch products with Stahl’s chemicals and coatings every day. Interested in our organization? The infographic below gives you a good first impression.

Our latest innovation is a portfolio of bio-based polyol and polymer technologies. To turn the tide on global exhaustion of resources, we are creating high-performing resins based on non-limited raw materials. This way, we aim to reduce the environmental footprint with responsible production and products. This is vital, as the ecosystem has been brought to a breaking point where striving for circularity is the only logical step.

Raw materials as the basis of sustainable chemistry
The raw materials we use are key as our global consumption is now exceeding the earth can reproduce and our emission of carbon dioxide can no longer be absorbed. It is time for a change and that is why Stahl Polymers, as part of the overall Stahl effort, is committed to sustainable chemistry as is underlined by our bio-based portfolio. From biomass, generated from renewable sources, like rapeseed oil, wheat, waste, algae and soy, we create biopolymers for our water-based binders and coatings.

Bio-based polymers without compromise on performance
To change towards a circular industry, we need to work together and rethink, redesign and rewire polymeric technologies. That means stepping out of our comfort zone, look for partnerships and cooperate because to change the world, we need to work together and rethink, redesign and rewire how we operate. This is an ongoing trajectory of innovation, starting from solvent-borne coatings to water-based, label-free and now bio-based resins that offer the same performance while using more responsible raw materials.

OUR BIO-BASED POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES

Sustainable polymers are at the forefront of providing the innovative answers we need to meet society’s growing demand for products that are high performance, safe, and responsible. Leading the field is the Stahl Relca® polymers portfolio. Whether used for protection or aesthetics, Relca® water-based polymer technologies deliver durable and unique performance with a reduced environmental footprint.

Sustainable bio-based raw materials
Stahl Relca® portfolio delivers high-performance with sustainable and innovative raw materials. This range employs a variety of bio-based polyols and water-based resin technologies to provide the desired performance qualities with a lower environmental footprint. This enables coating, paint and ink manufacturers to add the best properties to their products with low VOC formulations while improving their sustainability with renewable content. Relca® coating solutions comprise solvent-free polyurethane dispersions and hybrids, water-based matt resins, bio-polyols, and bio-based binders. Application industries and solutions include:

Water-based matt binders
Bio-based solutions
Architectural coatings
Coil & industrial metals
Printing and packaging
Automotive plastics
Water-based matt binders
Our unique matt Relca® range represents the next generation of water-based resins. They can be used in any coating that requires a matt or satin effect while avoiding the use of standard matting agents like silica or waxes. This patented technology can be used in printing & packaging, wood, metal, plastic and concrete coating applications. Relca® matt binders also provide a long-lasting matt surface with gloss levels down to 1 at 60ºC or 45 at 85ºC, specific touch finishes, and they improve scratch and abrasion resistance.

Next-generation bio-based polyols and binders
Our Relca® portfolio also includes bio-based polyols and binders for eco-friendly coating solutions. The bio-based binders are solvent-free and consist of up to 66% renewable content. They can be used in a variety of sustainable coating types, from flexible formulations to high hardness finishes with excellent scratch and chemical resistance.

Architectural coatings
These cosolvent-free polyurethanes and VOC-free crosslinkers and polyurethanes enable customers to develop zero- or low-VOC formulations for wide use throughout the architectural coatings value chain. Our self-crosslinking resin, for example, delivers excellent stain resistance, very good hot coffee resistance in white pigmented coatings, and fast drying and high hardness.

Coil & industrial metals
Relca® coating products for industrial metals enhance corrosion resistance without compromising on performance or the environment. Our high-tech solvent-free polyurethane dispersions deliver excellent adhesion on different metals and outstanding corrosion resistance. It can be formulated to make low-VOC eco-friendly coatings, and can be used in several applications like organic coil coating.’

Printing & packaging
We offer a wide range of high-performance polyurethanes for flexible packaging. Our unique polymers help to ensure that complex composite food packaging can withstand heating and freezing without delaminating. For example, our aliphatic polycarbonate urethane for soft-touch coatings shows good resistance to UV, heat, hydrolysis, and chemical resistance. Our solvent-free, aliphatic and UV-curable polycarbonate shows excellent chemical and stain resistance with high flexibility.

Automotive plastics
When you want to make a plastic surface feel soft to the touch, Relca® is what you need. Relca® based coatings are durable, chemically resistant and perfect for automotive industry applications. For example, our solvent-free polyurethane dispersions provide a soft-touch effect along with outstanding adhesion and chemical resistance

Our latest innovation is a portfolio of bio-based polyol and polymer technologies. To turn the tide on global exhaustion of resources, we are creating high-performing resins based on non-limited raw materials. This way, we aim to reduce the environmental footprint with responsible production and products. This is vital, as the ecosystem has been brought to a breaking point where striving for circularity is the only logical step.

Raw materials as the basis of sustainable chemistry
The raw materials we use are key as our global consumption is now exceeding the earth can reproduce and our emission of carbon dioxide can no longer be absorbed. It is time for a change and that is why Stahl Polymers, as part of the overall Stahl effort, is committed to sustainable chemistry as is underlined by our bio-based portfolio. From biomass, generated from renewable sources, like rapeseed oil, wheat, waste, algae and soy, we create biopolymers for our water-based binders and coatings.

Bio-based polymers without compromise on performance
To change towards a circular industry, we need to work together and rethink, redesign and rewire polymeric technologies. That means stepping out of our comfort zone, look for partnerships and cooperate because to change the world, we need to work together and rethink, redesign and rewire how we operate. This is an ongoing trajectory of innovation, starting from solvent-borne coatings to water-based, label-free and now bio-based resins that offer the same performance while using more responsible raw materials.

Stahl Polymers timeline

Bio-based resins, polyols and binders product overview
We offer a variety of bio-based polyols and resin technologies, which provide the desired performance qualities with a lower environmental footprint. This enables coating and paint manufactures to add the best properties to coatings, without compromise on sustainability.

Relca® Bio Polyols
Product Renewable Carbon calculated OH (mgKOH/g) Functionality Mw calculated (g/mol) Viscosity @40ºC (mPa·s) Tm (°C)
Relca® Bio PO-1056 61% 56 2 1,970 1,297 14
Relca® Bio PO-1120 56% 120 2 935 436 7

Plant-based content up to 61%
Based on 1st generation biomass
Tin-free
Aliphatic and (semi)crystalline
Enhanced performance: hydrophobic
Other types in development

Relca® and Picassian® binders
Product Solids (%) Renewable content (%) Solvent-free Type MFFT (ºC) UTS (MPa) Elongation (%)
Mod 100 (MPa)

Features, benefits and uses
Picassian® BI-001 12.0 92 Yes Protein – – – – Improves early and final block resistance.
Relca® HY-479 36.0 33 Yes PES < 5 15 180 12 High gloss decorative coatings.
Relca® Bio PD-814 27.0 34 Yes PES/PE
< 5 – – – Soft touch with matt effect.
Relca® Bio PU-697* 45.0 44 No PES < 5 38 877 2 Soft, good for impregnation.
Relca® Bio PU-698* 40.0 42 Yes PES/PE < 5 36 551 8 Medium hard.
Relca® PU-476

36.0 42 Yes PES 40 – – – Excellent chemical resistances in 1K wood coatings.
Relca® Bio PU-493
35.0 66 Yes PE < 5 26 894 2.5 High flexible resin for a wide range of coating applications and specialties.
Picassian® Bio PU-585 57 50 No PE < 5 – – – Solvent-based polyurethane for Printing & Packaging
*) Based on Relca® Bio Polyols

Renewable content up to 92%
Tin-free
Solvent-free products available
ZDHC compliant

Bio-based resins, polyols and binders product overview
We offer a variety of bio-based polyols and resin technologies, which provide the desired performance qualities with a lower environmental footprint. This enables coating and paint manufactures to add the best properties to coatings, without compromise on sustainability.

Relca® Bio Polyols
Product Renewable Carbon calculated OH (mgKOH/g) Functionality Mw calculated (g/mol) Viscosity @40ºC (mPa·s) Tm (°C)
Relca® Bio PO-1056 61% 56 2 1,970 1,297 14
Relca® Bio PO-1120 56% 120 2 935 436 7
Plant-based content up to 61%
Based on 1st generation biomass
Tin-free
Aliphatic and (semi)crystalline
Enhanced performance: hydrophobic
Other types in development

Relca® and Picassian® binders
Product Solids (%) Renewable content (%) Solvent-free Type MFFT (ºC) UTS (MPa) Elongation (%) Mod 100 (MPa) Features, benefits and uses
Picassian® BI-001 12.0 92 Yes Protein – – – – Improves early and final block resistance.
Relca® HY-479 36.0 33 Yes PES < 5 15 180 12 High gloss decorative coatings.
Relca® Bio PD-814 27.0 34 Yes PES/PE
< 5 – – – Soft touch with matt effect.
Relca® Bio PU-697* 45.0 44 No PES < 5 38 877 2 Soft, good for impregnation.
Relca® Bio PU-698* 40.0 42 Yes PES/PE < 5 36 551 8 Medium hard.
Relca® PU-476 36.0 42 Yes PES 40 – – – Excellent chemical resistances in 1K wood coatings.
Relca® Bio PU-493 35.0 66 Yes PE < 5 26 894 2.5 High flexible resin for a wide range of coating applications and specialties.
Picassian® Bio PU-585 57 50 No PE < 5 – – – Solvent-based polyurethane for Printing & Packaging
*) Based on Relca® Bio Polyols

Renewable content up to 92%
Tin-free
Solvent-free products available
ZDHC compliant
First products available
More products in development