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Floor coatings are expected to withstand impact from foot traffic, heavy objects, and environmental factors. Whether formulating alkyd, polyurethane, or epoxy systems, formulators are expected to achieve optimal performance by minimizing surface defects, improving cure times, and meeting evolving regulatory changes. That’s where Borchers coating additives come in. 

Borchers offers a comprehensive additive portfolio to optimize performance across floor coating systems. From driers and catalysts that can improve labeling to advanced surface actives like defoamers and leveling agents, our solutions help formulators bring coatings from bonds to beauty. 

 

Fast-Drying, Durable Performance for Low-VOC Alkyd Coatings 

Alkyd coatings are popular for wood applications due to their durability. However, stricter VOC regulations are driving formulators to formulate low-VOC alkyd coatings. Increasing solids helps reduce VOC content in solventborne coatings but it can also lead to longer dry times and uneven applications, creating a challenge for maintaining consistent performance. 

Borchi^® Dragon Low VOC is designed to address this issue. This manganese-based high-performance catalyst offers a modern, cobalt-free alternative for high solids systems. Borchi Dragon Low VOC delivers rapid drying in standard, cold, and humid conditions while reducing yellowing and improving hardness compared to competitive alternatives. With only 2% VOC content (ASTM D2369) and up to 92% bio-based carbon (ASTM D6866-24 B), it’s a catalyst that helps improve labeling without sacrificing performance. 

 

Natural linseed oil wood coatings in particular are desirable options for formulators looking to reduce VOC content. These VOC-free oils penetrate deep into the wood and offer excellent color and adhesion. 

When formulated with Borchi OXY-Coat 1310, these coatings provide a range of benefits that include faster dry times, enhanced chemical resistance, and lighter color compared to traditional manganese driers. 

 

Tin-Free Catalysts for Stronger 2K Polyurethane Flooring Systems 

Polyurethane coatings are prized for their versatility and durability, but traditional tin-based catalysts (like DBTDL) are increasingly restricted due to environmental and regulatory scrutiny. Many formulators are now exploring tin-free catalyst alternatives for polyurethane coatings to maintain compliance while achieving optimal performance.  

As tin-based catalysts face increasing regulatory pressure, the Borchi Kat series offers DBTDL replacements for polyurethane coatings, designed to maintain desired cure profiles, film properties, and production efficiency in 2K PU, 1K PU Blocked NCO, foam, and silane terminated coatings.

Borchi Kat 315, Borchi Kat 21, and Borchi Kat 0243 each provide optimal through-dry times, excellent gloss retention, and reduced yellowing compared to tin controls. 

 

Borchi Kat 2115, our next generation tin-free catalyst, is a neodecanoate metal combination that provides efficient dry times, improved hardness, and longer pot life compared to traditional DBTDL and bismuth catalysts. 

When testing for various applications, formulations with Borchi Kat catalysts demonstrated optimal dry times, excellent hardness, longer pot life, and efficient corrosion resistance. These results emphasize Borchi Kat as a strong choice for topcoats and high-humidity environments, providing formulators with low-toxicity, compliant tin-free solutions. 

 

Enhancing Epoxy Systems

Epoxy coatings remain a cornerstone for flooring, valued for strength, chemical resistance, and durability. But even the best epoxy formulations can struggle with foaming, surface uniformity, and settling, challenges that impact both appearance and performance. 

Borchers’ additive solutions are designed to solve these common issues. Borchi Gol 0011 and Borchi Gol E2 are defoamers for epoxy that can effectively remove foam and entrapped air, improving surface uniformity and gloss. Borchi Gol 1570 is a flow and leveling agent that enhances substrate wetting and foam prevention.

 

 

 

 

 

Borchi Gol 1474 is an additional flow and leveling agent that has shown enhanced substrate wetting and leveling, eliminating craters and orange peel for a smoother finish in epoxy coatings.

 

 

Borchi Set 134, available in Europe only, is a thickener that improves storage stability and prevents separation in coatings.

 

 

Comprehensive Additive Solutions for Floor Coating Formulators 

Whether you’re formulating an alkyd, a high-performance polyurethane, or an epoxy system built to last, Borchers additives can deliver excellent results across chemistries. 

Our commitment to innovation and regulatory foresight means you can focus on formulation performance, not on compromises. From catalysts to surface modifiers, Borchers helps you design coatings that cure faster, look better, and perform longer. Because the best flooring systems aren’t defined by chemistry alone – they’re defined by how well every layer works together. 

 

Ready to find your next formulation solution? 
Explore Borchers additives for floor coatings or contact our technical experts to discuss your specific system challenges.