APD Air Products and Chemicals Inc

Gemini Technology Forms Basis for Air Products' Surfynol(R) MD-20 & Surfynol(R) MD-30 Molecular Defoamer Products Foam - Micro or Macro - Doesn't Stand a Chance Against Dynamic Duo LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Two molecular defoaming products based on Gemini surfactant technology developed by Air Products (NYSE:APD) for use in a broad array of applications are providing formulators with the way to achieve a flat, smooth, defect-free coating. Surfynol(R) MD-20 and Surfynol(R) MD-30 defoaming agents together present formulators with an answer to the challenges presented by microfoam and macrofoam in their finished product. These two Surfynol defoamer products are being featured by Air Products this week at the International Coatings Expo being held October 27-29 at McCormick Place North in Chicago, Ill. "In the formulation process microfoam entrained in the system, and the macrofoam appearing on the surface, can create craters, pin hole or fish-eye defects in a surface coating," said Mark Sutovich, marketing manager-Graphic Arts for Air Products. "Foam presents unique challenges and undesirable coating defects if not addressed in the formulation stage. MD-20 and MD-30 work in tandem to knock down and knock out both micro and macrofoam. There are definite synergies between these two products which are attractive to the customer." Specifically, Surfynol MD-20 defoamer combats microfoam, while Surfynol MD-30 defoamer's expertise is addressing macrofoam. The two products are molecular defoamers that are surface active and break foam at the molecular level by attacking the different mechanisms of foam stabilization. Both Surfynol MD-20 and MD-30 defoamers are silicone and hydrophobic silica-free. "Conventional defoamers utilize incompatibility to attempt to control foam, but this creates surface issues and sets the stage for a coating with defects. It creates a cycle where formulators must add other surface-active components to eliminate the surface defects created by conventional defoamers. Molecular defoamers like MD-20 and MD-30 utilize surface activity at a molecular level to allow for defect-free foam control. They allow formulators to reduce overall additive levels and break that cycle by working in a complementary fashion," said Sutovich. Surfynol MD-20 and MD-30 defoamers are multi-functional products that have other performance attributes beyond just knockdown foam control. The pair, both in clear liquid form, exhibit high marks in other important areas such as defoamer longevity, wetting defect reduction, ease of handling, and also have wide compounding latitude. These multifunctional defoamers have a long list of potential waterborne system applications. These many uses include: coatings for automotive, OEM and DIY wood, industrial maintenance, metal and paper, and architectural coatings; graphic arts for printing inks, overprint varnishes and fountain solutions; adhesives, dye and pigment synthesis, pigment grinding, oil and gas processing, cleaning products, semiconductor cleaning and processing, metalworking fluids, cements, mortars and grouts, and personal care. To view the full text of this announcement, please visit http://www.airproducts.com/PressRoom/CompanyNews/Archived/2004/3_28Oct04.htm. ***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations. DATASOURCE: Air Products CONTACT: Media Inquiries: Art George, +1-610-481-1340, e-mail: ; or Investor Inquiries: Phil Sproger, +1-610-481-7461, e-mail: , both of Air Products Web site: http://www.airproducts.com/

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