Dispersing Agents
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Different technologies to meet various needs
The role of dispersing agents is to adsorb onto the surface of pigment/filler particles to create repulsive forces.
These forces keep the particles apart and reduce their tendency to flocculate. This is achieved by means of electrostatic repulsion with anionic dispersants and/or steric stabilization with steric dispersants.Anionic dispersing agents
Anionic dispersing agents are highly effective additives widely used in waterborne and solvent-based formulations to achieve superior particle dispersion and long-term stability. Unlike non-ionic or cationic dispersants, anionic technology relies on electrostatic repulsion to keep particles separated, preventing agglomeration and sedimentation. This mechanism ensures uniform distribution of pigments and fillers, delivering consistent performance across a wide range of applications.
Key benefits of anionic dispersing agents:
- Excellent pigment wetting and dispersion for vibrant color development.
- Improved stability and resistance to flocculation during storage.
- Effective viscosity control for easier processing and application.
- High compatibility with diverse resin systems and coating technologies.
Anionic dispersing agents are particularly suited for architectural paints, industrial coatings, and printing inks, where color strength, gloss, and durability are essential. By providing reliable dispersion and reducing energy consumption during grinding, these additives help formulators optimize cost and achieve high-quality products that meet demanding market requirements.
Non-Ionic dispersing agents
Non-Ionic dispersing agents are advanced additives designed to stabilize particles through a physical separation or steric hindrance rather than electrostatic charge. This technology relies on polymer chains that adsorb onto the surface of pigments and fillers, creating a protective layer that prevents particles from coming into contact. By forming this steric barrier, these dispersants deliver exceptional stability and uniform dispersion in both waterborne and solvent-based systems.
Key benefits of Non-Ionic dispersing agents
- Superior long-term stability, even in high-solid formulations.
- Enhanced color development and gloss for premium coatings and inks.
- Consistent viscosity control, improving processing and application.
- Excellent compatibility with a wide range of resins and polymer systems.
Non-Ionic technology is particularly suited for high-performance paints, industrial coatings, and specialty formulations where durability, appearance, and processing efficiency are critical. By minimizing flocculation and sedimentation, steric dispersing agents help formulators achieve reliable dispersion quality and meet demanding market requirements.
COADIS™ 352 N is a tailor-made dispersing agent engineered to deliver quick and efficient grind, excellent heat age stability and strong binder compatibility in high-performance coatings. Designed for formulators seeking reliable pigment and filler distribution with consistent processing and application results, this solution supports robust formulation workflows and superior coating quality.
COADIS™ 123 K is a hydrophobic dispersant engineered to deliver excellent stability, enhanced water resistance and effective anticorrosion performance across a wide range of pigments and fillers. Its versatility enables formulators to achieve consistent dispersion and robust coating quality in demanding industrial and protective paint applications.
COADIS™ 790 is a polymeric dispersant engineered to deliver excellent color development, high gloss and good stability across both organic and inorganic pigments and fillers. Designed for formulators demanding consistent pigment wetting and film quality, this solution supports robust dispersion and enhanced coating aesthetics in decorative and industrial applications.
More information about dispersing agents
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COADIS™ 123 K: DISPERSION AND WATER RESISTANCE FOR YOUR WB FORMULATIONS
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COADIS™ 352 N: DISPERSANT FOR TRAFFIC MARKINGS
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TRAFFIC MARKING SOLUTIONS
Market expectations for dispersing agents in coatings
Performance-driven dispersion across paints and coatings applications
In modern paints and coatings, the role of the dispersing agent has evolved from a simple processing aid to a key contributor to formulation performance. A dispersing agent enables efficient dispersion of solid particles, ensuring uniform distribution of pigments and fillers within complex systems. This function is essential to achieve consistent color, improved film properties and stable application behavior across a wide range of applications. Through controlled interaction with dispersed particles, dispersing agents help stabilize suspensions, reduce viscosity build-up and support predictable formulation behavior in both decorative and industrial environments.Optimizing dispersion through chemistry and molecular design
Dispersing agents are chemical additives designed to interact with pigment and filler surfaces through specific functional groups and tailored molecular architectures.
Whether based on polymers, surfactant structures or high molecular weight chemistries, their primary function is to adsorb onto particle surfaces and maintain separation through steric and/or electrostatic mechanisms. This targeted chemical interaction plays a critical role in controlling dispersion quality within complex coating formulations.
Key formulation benefits provided by dispersing agents include:
- Improved dispersion of pigments and fillers, enabling uniform distribution of dispersed particles
- Enhanced formulation stability, limiting flocculation and sedimentation over time
- Support for higher pigment or solids content without excessive viscosity increase
- Development of more effective and improved formulations with consistent rheology
- Contribution to long-term coating performance through controlled particle interactions
Water-based and solvent-based systems: evolving requirements
Supporting modern coating systems and regulatory expectations
The shift toward water-based coating systems has significantly increased expectations for dispersing agents.
In aqueous environments, dispersing agents must remain compatible with latex emulsions, resins, and other functional additives, while delivering reliable dispersion and stability under varying pH and shear conditions.
At the same time, dispersing agents continue to play a role in solvent-based systems and specialty ink formulations, supporting consistent particle wetting and distribution. Across both system types, the ability to achieve stable dispersion with enhanced robustness is now a key requirement driven by regulatory and performance constraints.
Lower VOC dispersing agents for safer and more sustainable coatings
As regulatory pressures and market demand push the coatings industry toward safer, more environmentally responsible formulations, the role of dispersing agents has never been more strategic. In water-based and low-VOC coating systems, dispersing agents are essential for achieving effective pigment and filler dispersion while supporting reduced solvent content and improved worker safety. Today’s formulations require additives that not only stabilize dispersed particles but also align with lower toxicity and VOC targets without sacrificing performance.
Arkema addresses the growing demand for lower-VOC coatings through dispersing agents designed to deliver efficient pigment stabilization while reducing reliance on solvents and hazardous co-components. COADIS™ 790, a high-molecular-weight, non-ionic dispersant, enables effective dispersion in water-based paints at low dosage, supporting safer formulations with a reduced additive load. COADIS™ 123 K further supports low-VOC waterborne applications by maintaining stable pigment distribution and consistent color across a wide range of binders. In higher-PVC systems, COADIS™ 352 N combines fast dispersion and formulation stability, helping formulators meet performance targets while aligning with low-toxicity design principles.
Across these examples, Arkema’s dispersing agents demonstrate that lower VOC performance can coexist with strong dispersion and formulation stability. For coating developers seeking safer, regulatory-aligned solutions, this approach enables enhanced formulation flexibility and consistent application outcomes without compromise.
Often asked questions to our dispersing agents experts
A dispersing agent is a functional additive used in coatings and paints to improve the distribution of pigments, fillers and other solid particles in a liquid formulation. It helps break up agglomerates, stabilize particle suspensions, and reduce viscosity build-up, resulting in more uniform color, improved gloss and better overall performance.
While rheological additives primarily control viscosity and flow behavior across shear conditions, dispersing agents focus on stabilizing pigment and particle distribution in the liquid phase. Many advanced coating systems combine both dispersing agents and rheological modifiers to achieve balanced flow, film formation and stability.
Selecting the right dispersing agent depends on the type and surface chemistry of the pigment or filler, the binder system (aqueous, solventborne, high-solids), and target coating properties (color strength, gloss, hiding, open time). Arkema’s dispersing agents are formulated to match specific binder and pigment chemistries, enabling efficient wetting and stabilization across different application needs.
Arkema dispersing agents are designed to deliver excellent pigment wetting, reduced viscosity at given solids levels, and improved stability against sedimentation. This enables higher pigment loadings, more reproducible color and enhanced overall coating quality while facilitating easier formulation and application.