Milliken & Company's Borchers brand, a global leader in advanced coating additives, has announced the launch of Borchi Dragon Low VOC, a groundbreaking high-performance catalyst. This innovative solution is designed to provide formulators with a low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) drying solution for alkyd coatings, addressing growing environmental regulations and sustainability demands within the industry.

The new Borchi Dragon Low VOC catalyst offers outstanding drying performance while adhering to evolving VOC regulations for both solvent-borne and solvent-free alkyd formulations. A significant feature of this manganese-based product is its cobalt-free composition. The elimination of cobalt is a direct response to increasing regulatory scrutiny faced by cobalt compounds in several regions due to health toxicity concerns, including its classification as a Category 1B carcinogen in the European Union and ongoing evaluation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Jeff Losch, vice president and coating additives business manager at Milliken, emphasized the company's commitment to sustainability, stating, "We are committed to delivering additive options like Borchi Dragon Low VOC that help meet current labeling requirements and future-proof from potential regulations in final coating formulations." This aligns with Milliken & Company's consistent dedication to sustainability, evidenced by its gold EcoVadis rating for three consecutive years.

Borchi Dragon Low VOC boasts an impressive 2% VOC content according to ASTM D2369 standards, enabling formulators to significantly reduce VOCs without compromising drying speed, even in challenging ambient conditions. Beyond its low VOC profile, the catalyst offers several additional benefits, including a higher flash point for safer handling, reduced yellowing in coatings, and improved hardness compared to other low-VOC alternative driers. Furthermore, the product demonstrates a strong commitment to bio-based content, being up to 92% biobased carbon as determined by ASTM D6866-24 B standards.

This new offering is a valuable addition to Borchers' extensive portfolio of cobalt-free high-performance catalysts, which includes solutions like the iron-based Borchi® OXY-Coat driers and the new Borchi® Phoenix accelerator, designed to enhance drier performance in high solids and solvent-borne alkyd coatings. The introduction of Borchi® Dragon Low VOC underscores Milliken & Company's proactive approach to providing innovative, environmentally responsible solutions for the global coatings market.