Driven by regulations and consumers, an ever-increasing push towards sustainability and a reduced carbon footprint has inevitably influenced the resins industry. This transition to green business is an obligation of the industry to act responsibly on all levels to promote the spread of sustainable technologies. We take on our role in this global movement with dedication and conviction, strongly believing that meeting today’s needs has to be done without compromising the needs of future generations.

The meaning of the term “environmentally friendly” in the context of coatings and consequently resins has evolved over the years. Initially, the goal was pollution prevention or reduction. This meant reducing solvents in formulations as well as producing high solid coatings, waterborne and 100% non-volatile coatings such as powder coatings. While the previously mentioned solutions and approaches are still part of the green strategy and are certainly part of Helios Resins’ portfolio, every stage from the production to the end-of-life is considered nowadays – from raw material manufacturing to formulations up to application and disposal.

Biomass as single origin

Providing alternatives to conventional fossil-derived materials is one of our strategic goals. Helios Resins is therefore investing in the research and development of new bio-based resins produced from bio-monomers that are obtained from a great range of biological carbon sources. In each case, the origin is biomass that is broken down by using adapted chemical processes in a bio-refinery to produce biochemicals that lead to bio-monomers. We are replacing petro-based terephthalic acid with FDCA or recycled terephthalic acid in bio-polyesters for coil. Furthermore, petro-based adipic acid is replaced with bio-based succinic or sebacic acid in bio-polyesters used in 2K PUR coating formulations. Some of our projects include the use of bio-isosorbide and bio-based 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol and 1,5-pentanediol. Moreover, we are already using monomers that are partially or entirely bio-based in our conventional products, mostly polyesters. Such examples are neopentyl glycol, trimethylolpropane and pentaerythritol. There are two certification approaches in order to determine and communicate the bio-based content to our customers:

Biobased content quantified with the ¹⁴C carbon dating

A carbon dating method that checks the radioactivity of the carbon isotope is commonly used to determine the percentage of renewable raw materials. Carbon-based materials originating from living organisms (the biobased component) have Carbon-14 in them, while fossil materials (derived from petroleum) no longer have this weakly radioactive carbon isotope. Hence, all the Carbon-14 in the product comes from the biobased component. This method is standardized in both Europe (EN 16640, CEN 16137) and the USA (ASTM D-6866). Products with a minimum bio-based content of 20 percent can be verified by certification bodies such as TÜV Austria or DIN CERTCO and recognized by awarding a label.

Mass balance method via one of the certification schemes

Declaring bio-based content by using the mass balance method is another approach. This method is, in essence, a chain of custody approach that traces the flow of material through a value chain. Different certification schemes support this method, among them ISCC PLUS, REDcert and RSB. Since some of our suppliers were already holders of the ISCC PLUS certification, we took the necessary steps to certify our products with bio-based raw material by using the ISCC certification scheme. We can proudly report that we were successful in this undertaking and now offer several polyester resins with the ISCC PLUS certification.

Even though the price premium for bio-based resins remains a challenge, as customers expect performance benefits for a higher price, Helios Resins is committed to increasing the awareness of nature and climate protection and investing in potential solutions for reducing carbon footprints.

PaintIstanbul & Turkcoat 2022 Exhibition, one of the most globally known and followed up Paint and Raw Materials events, will be held at Istanbul Expo Center on March 17-19, 2022 with the participation of the leading companies from the industry. Helios Resins will be exhibiting with a long-term partner Derkim Kimya and we will be pleased to welcome you to our booth.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Last week, we exhibited at HOFMANN Technology Day, one of the most important events for road markings worldwide. Alongside high-level trade professionals from all over the world, we presented 1K road marking resins – thermoplastic acrylics and 2K road marking resins – cold plastic – under the Domacryl brand, known for their premium durability and reliability. There was a particularly large interest in our 1K water-based resins as well resins for cold plastics.

Our team returned with good impressions, new contacts and opportunities for future projects.

You can find more information about our road marking resins in our brochure.

In recent years, customer requirements, legislation and sustainable trends have again necessitated an increase in the share of sustainable raw materials. Customers are also increasingly aware that independent certification, based on strict standards and requirements, really contributes to environmental responsibility. There are various organizations and certification schemes on the market. ISCC Plus (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) is a certification system that offers solutions for the implementation and certification of sustainable supply chains of raw materials and products, and also shows savings in greenhouse gas emissions.

Following the requirements of the ISCC Plus certification system, we at Helios Resins have certified a range of polyester resins. The use of the system ensures that the final product is produced in a way that is not harmful to the environment and takes into account the social aspects of production. It is the social aspect that distinguishes the ISCC from other comparable schemes, as the social criteria for sustainable production are very high.

By developing advanced, green, and long-lasting materials, Helios Resins has managed to reduce emissions of hazardous organic solvents, create a potential for energy savings, and incorporate bio-renewable raw materials. All this while maintaining high-quality products aligned with the requirements of our most demanding customers.

Sustainable car refinish solutions 

The European Union has adopted directives limiting Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). Helios Resins has responded to the new set of standards with a range of High-solid (HS) resins, which enable final coatings producers to meet legislation limits with their ready-to-use products. Within the HS resins segment, we pay special attention to car refinish products, where resins and coatings must meet high performance expectations introduced by car paint shops.

During the past few years, over 30 different novel acrylic and polyester types of resins with 70-100% solid content have been developed and successfully launched into the market. We have achieved a 30-50% decrease in their VOCs compared to the standard Medium solid (MS) products. Additionally, a set of unique high-performance Domacryl brand types has been developed to enable our customers to stay ahead of their competitors.

Patented technology has been successfully implemented in the market and has positioned us as a market leader in the segment of FAST-drying acrylic resins for car refinish, general metal and industrial wood protective coatings. In addition to reduced VOCs, our innovative resins bring energy savings through a lower curing temperature and an extended coating lifetime. Importantly, up to 20% of fossil-based raw materials have been replaced by bio-renewables and increased material performance.

Alternative water-based resins

A significant part of R&D activities is related to the development of alternative solutions such as water-based resins, as water represents the “greenest” solvent. The major challenge is water’s incompatibility with traditionally used polymers, which require a very high level of expertise. To provide commercially feasible materials, water-based resins must be high quality, stable, and price-efficient. We have developed and scaled more than 40 different water-based materials to the industrial level to cover various needs, especially in the segments of wood and metal coatings. VOCs have been reduced by as much as 95%.

A tradition of bio-based materials

In the paint and coatings industry, many efforts have been recently devoted to the development of bio-based materials. Bio-based products derive from plants and other renewable agricultural, marine and forestry materials to provide an alternative to conventional fossil-derived products. The conversion of biomass and bio-based ingredients into useful products for paints and coatings provides a considerable and sustainable growth potential. The demand from customers, as well as the Helios Resins team strategy, is to increase bio-based content in produced materials.

The basic and most important bio-based Helios resins, continuously produced for over 50 years, are alkyds which are natural oil modified polyester resins. They represent 7% of produced quantities of Helios Resins. Renewable oils which in nature derive from sunflower, linseed, soybean, castor, tall and others, are standard within the coating industry. Due to the VOCs limitations, alkyd water emulsions are gaining greater acceptance compared to conventional solvent borne (SB) ones, replacing up to 85% of fossil-based raw materials.

Dedicated to a green future

In addition to the established bio-based alkyd production, we are constantly working on developing new bio-based products. Close collaboration with the National Institute of Chemistry has resulted in a patent pending technology where bio-based methacrylic acid was developed to replace fossil-based standard. Furthermore, Helios Resins is participating in COST Action, the European network of furan-based chemicals and materials for sustainable development (FUR4Sustain). The main objective is to catalyze a replacement for terephthalic acid, a widely used building block in resins for coatings and packaging. Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and derivatives are considered a very promising replacement from a renewable origin. Last but not least, Helios Resins is a member of the Strategic Research and Innovation Partnership for the transition into a circular economy, supported by the Slovenian Government. Priorities for the partnership are to reduce the amount of production waste and to reuse existing waste as raw material for new products.

HELIOS traditionally holds a strong market position in the composite segment, more specifically the segment of DCPD unsaturated polyester resins.

Recognized high standards have made our gelcoat and topcoat products widely applicable for the production of composites in several industries, e.g. wind power, transportation, sanitary equipment, marine, engineering and filament winding. With an extra focus on the wind power industry and its specific requirements, HELIOS’s products excel at making composites lightweight, strong and durable, while meeting high standards for fire safety and weathering resistance.

Entering the wind power market

Wind is globally used as a sustainable and renewable source of electric power. In the European Union, 15% of its power demand is reportedly provided by wind power, with the exception of Denmark where the number is significantly higher and amounts to 48%. In the recent years, Europe has annually invested approximately 20 billion euros in wind power production. The production of large parts required to build wind power plant constructions has importantly influenced R&D activities in the resin and composite segments. Suppliers have sought to offer the industry excellent, durable, and light-weight materials combined with advanced technological solutions.

To boost development activities and the market position with new, better, and optimized products, Helios Resins established close cooperation with Slovenian client Elan in 2018. As Elan has very advanced wind power and marine divisions, HELIOS offered them the development of high-quality products within these segments. Together we have created a portfolio of products needed for a well-controlled production of high-quality nacelles – housing for power generators, gearboxes, and other vital parts. The project (ADCOMP4MWI) was co-funded by the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of the Republic of Slovenia and supported by the European Regional Development Fund.

Long-term cooperation with Elan

“We have been using HELIOS’s resins, gelcoats and topcoats for many years now. Our long-term cooperation is the result of extremely high-quality materials, competitive prices, as well as other advantages – such as great responsiveness, proximity, adaptability to individual needs, professionalism, and highly trained staff,” stated Igor Zupan, R&D Director of the Elan Composites Division. The joint new project only intensified the cooperation. The goal of the project was to develop various advanced composites for use in both the marine and wind divisions. Mr. Zupan added: “We can say that the project is a success in its entirety. During the project, HELIOS has successfully followed the requirements of our international end customers of vessels and wind plants, as well as our needs. The results of the project are fully developed and serially reusable advanced materials, which provide us and HELIOS with the necessary competitive advantage in the demanding international market of composite products.”

Setting of wind power division coatings

The development and production of HELIOS’s thermoset resins for composites is located in the Preska plant in Slovenia. After highly demanding testing at HELIOS and Elan, we were ready to enter the market with the set of new products. Applicable to the wind power industry, Helios Resins has developed: Colgel GC 610, a gelcoat with increased UV-light durability; Colpoly 7200 AI-LV, a DCPD unsaturated polyester resin for advanced vacuum-infusion application exhibiting low viscosity as well as long gel-times with excellent mechanical properties; and fire retardant coating products, namely the Colgel TC 639 FR topcoat and the Colgel GC 647 FR gelcoat.

High-quality custom-made products

HELIOS’s products were developed to provide people and the economy with sustainable electricity from abundant renewable sources. Brands such as Colpoly, Colvinyl and Colgel are synonyms for high quality, and are in many cases custom-made products, i.e. unsaturated polyester resins, vinyl ester resins, and gelcoats, topcoats, and pigment concentrates.

Additionally, we addressed working conditions related to the production of large composite parts. To minimize Elan workers’ exposure to styrene vapours, large composite parts are being produced by the vacuum infusion process that has been mastered by Elan. During this process, resins developed for this specific application process are introduced into a laminate covered by a vacuum bag, consequently effectively eliminating the occupational exposure to vapours.

Elan, a Slovenian company founded in 1945, is a global manufacturer of sports equipment, leisure equipment and technologically advanced composites exporting to more than 60 countries worldwide. Their products are distinguished by innovation, advanced technologies, and advanced design. In 2010, Elan developed a wind power division, which has ever since become the second biggest division within the Group.

JEC Composites Connect is the industry’s most significant event, hosting major industry players, enabling participants to discover the latest trends and product innovations.

Helios Resins will be exhibiting on this 2-day online event to offer a look into our advanced products for marine and wind power industries, as well as other fields of application and present the global composite resins brands that hold a strong market position and are trusted for their quality and performance.

We are kindly inviting you to visit our booth and leave us your contact data. We will be glad to organize a meeting with you to further discuss our options for cooperation.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

From April 1, the new KANSAI HELIOS Group Management Board has been performing its function. Four executive directors joined their strengths to support the growth strategy of the KANSAI HELIOS Group. A strong focus on environmentally friendly products and processes, employee health and safety, continuous research and development as well as strategic investments represent big steps towards future success on the European market.

In recent years, HELIOS has been intensifying its activities for environmental protection. The company developed and designed solutions, which not only protect objects, but also extend their lifetime significantly. New coatings solutions to reduce the consumption of all types of resources and the products’ carbon footprint have been launched. Raw materials from renewable resources are step by step replacing conventional materials. Energy is generated entirely from renewable sources or produced in our own solar power plants. Production processes are continuously improved to reduce waste and respectively reuse the waste in the production process. A year ago, we launched our internal initiative “We turn it green” to raise awareness of each individual employee, because even the small actions in terms of environmental protection, such as reducing water or paper consumption, contribute to the realization of KANSAI HELIOS’ sustainability goals.

All of these efforts take an even greater importance with the start of the new KANSAI HELIOS Group Management Board in early April. The board is formed by four Executive Directors, who not only embody the further strategic growth course of HELIOS, but also express the closer cooperation and collaboration with both shareholders, KANSAI PAINT and MITSUI.

Mr. Junichi Kajima, President, Executive Director

Mr. Mitsuru Masunaga, Executive Vice President, Executive Director

Mr. Dietmar Jost, Executive Director

Mr. Bastian Krauss, Executive Director

Mitsuru Masunaga, Dietmar Jost and Bastian Krauss will split their focus to strategically important key areas according to their professional background, while Mr. Junichi Kajima, the President, will supervise all areas. The new structure will further improve management efficiency and support KANSAI PAINT’s growth strategy towards a unified global company group. Environmental Social Governance will play an essential role on that journey.

Junichi Kajima has made it his goal to further sharpen KANSAI HELIOS strengths and additionally improve its profitability:

“The KANSAI HELIOS Group has been delivering sustainable profit growth while building a solid business foundation in a challenging business environment. This is the result of excellent teamwork and ongoing investments in new technologies, products, and research & development. And these investments, as well as investments in human resources coupled with a safe working environment, will continue. Our responsibility as a chemical company is also to make a valuable contribution to the future of our planet and society. Together with the KANSAI PAINT headquarters in Japan, we are working on joint sustainability projects as part of our ESG management. And in this context, the area of compliance is fundamental, because it is our basic management principle to develop and implement honest and fair corporate activities. My mission is to extend and sustainably expand the company´s success into the future and thus contribute to making the KANSAI PAINT Group a leading global company.”

Mitsuru Masunaga will have a strong focus on upholding and maintaining the company’s reputation and will further strengthen and support the company´s growth strategy through organic and inorganic approaches:

“We live in rapidly changing times where employee values and corporate integrity are constantly being tested. At KANSAI HELIOS, we have defined our core values and a standard of expected business behaviour in our Code of Conduct, which helps our employees make the right decisions. As ethical behaviour is an integral part of our culture, we will continue to put a strong focus on its further development and implementation. How the public perceives us is a key success factor for the further growth of the company, which will be one of my main targets. Leveraging closer cooperation and collaboration with KANSAI PAINT and MITSUI will additionally open up new opportunities and synergies for us and our business partners.”

Dietmar Jost will primarily focus on the further development of the sales strategy in Europe:

“We are striving for long-term partnerships with our customers throughout Europe. A well-educated sales team is essential and sharing our know-how with customers goes one step further. Within the framework of our HELIOS Master Classes, we will further strengthen our training and information program and thus intensify our partnerships. Integrating and exchanging state-of-the-art products and technologies with KANSAI PAINT and MITSUI will continue to enrich our assortment and to create innovations which strengthen HELIOS’ position as a system supplier on the European market. Furthermore, we will continue to promote cross-industry partnerships with the potential to develop solutions that contribute to society.”

Bastian Krauss will work intensively to further upgrade production technologies and safety:

“Technologies in the industrial manufacturing change extremely rapidly in order to deliver products faster and create a more flexible production process. The size of our group allows us to draw on a pool of experience and integrate it into our production processes in line with our growth strategy. Best practice learnings, new technologies and optimized processes are steadily entering all our entities and operational fields. Additional investments will intensify our effort in environmentally friendly activities and developments. In these dynamic processes we will be regularly monitoring the safety and health of all employees by continuing and advancing our occupational zero-accident-policy.”

The company’s intense focus on environmentally friendly processes, a strong cooperation between all KANSAI HELIOS Group members and smart investments in new technologies as well as human resources can only intensify our good results. The new Group Management Board is using their expertise to further develop and improve all sides of business operations, our position on the market as well as our sustainability goals.

www.helios-group.eu | www.kansai.com | www.mitsui.com

With continuous technological advancements in the last quarter century, water-based products have gained strong popularity compared to their solvent based counterparts. This mostly resulted from strict VOC regulations, worker safety and other environmental issues. While solvent based products still have a place on the market; water-based products are driving the evolution of the coatings industry.

Helios Resins offers a wide portfolio of water-based resin systems tailored for both specific substrates and end-use applications. Water-based resin solutions help our customers meet environmental compliance requirements and reduce human health hazards, while maintaining the high-performance level expected from the markets.

Water-based resin technology uses water as a carrier medium and diluent instead of the traditionally used VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). As the key ingredient of coatings, water-based resins enable the production of environmentally friendly coatings, low in toxicity and flammability.

Our eco-friendly and high-quality water-based resin brands are:

DOMEMUL – Primary Acrylic Emulsions

DOMACRYL – Secondary Acrylic Emulsions

DOMALKYD – Alkyd Emulsions and Water Thinnable Resins

DOMOPOL – Polyester Emulsions and Water Thinnable Resins

DOMOPUR – Polyurethane Dispersions (PUD)

For a more detailed overview of our product portfolio, read our leaflet or contact us directly.

There is a lot of talk about 3D printing, but many who do not know it professionally find it to be a remote technology yet to come. This statement is both correct and somewhat wrong.

3D printing offers us unimaginable possibilities of creating solutions in an easier and faster way. It is not true that this is a technology yet to come, as it has been present among us for some time, but it is certainly true that it has not yet reached its peak. In many industries, 3D printing is already used today, and the possibilities of use are almost endless, as it is one of the most promising technologies of the future.

In the industry, 3D printing can be used to make prototypes, components of finished products or finished products themselves. It is already used in dentistry, as well as in healthcare, and in the future it will not be unusual for us to print prosthetic devices with the help of a 3D printer. We even read recently that scientists have managed to print a miniature human heart.

3D printing has many advantages

It is basically a process in which a physical object or object is created by adding material from a digital model. One of the best features is that in 3D printing – in contrast to other techniques of creating the final product – we use only as much material as we need for a 3D model. The material is stacked on the board in layers and the physical model is made in one piece. It can have moving parts, it can also be hollow. Different materials can be used for printing, so the products also differ in strength, flexibility, elasticity, and other properties.

What is Heliores 3D Rapid 10?

Helios Resins has developed Heliores 3D Rapid 10, a product under the Heliores 3D brand. Since the name alone does not tell us much, let’s see what it’s all about and what the product is for. Rapid 10 is a liquid photopolymer for 3D printing and is intended for general use with many types of SLA and DLP printers. It allows fast and very accurate printing of elements. It can be used, for example, for prototypes and modelling and has similar properties to ABS and PP PLA filaments.

Rapid 10 is designed to prevent bending and ensure good bonding of layers, making it suitable for both prototypes and complex finished products, tools or small production batches. It is a highly reactive and precise liquid polymer and is the first Helios Resins product to be designed not only for the industry but also for the end user.

For demonstration of its use by dental technicians, please watch the video below: