Dr. Nurudin Budiman, Regional Senior Director and Marketing and Innovation, Connell Caldic Indonesia, anticipated the need for such a product. He developed a pH adjuster that is an alternative to the existing products and asked the regional commercial team to explore its viability. What differentiates this product from the others? “When it comes to pH adjusters, customers are looking for alternatives to the current amine-based products,” he explains.

 

Used largely in coatings, lubricants, and inks, the pH adjuster conceptualized is ammonia-free and amines-free – making it nearly odorless, non-yellowing, and with a strong neutralization power. It also has low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – making it less harmful to humans. Along with his colleague, Thong-in Poojanhar - Application Development Manager, Connell Caldic Thailand, a prototype with the above criteria was formulated and added to in-house finished paint formulations in the Thailand and Indonesia labs.

 

Thong-in worked on the end application and tested the product against other similar products, conducting benchmark tests. With the analysis provided by the regional teams, he also suggested fine-tuning formulation depending on customer requirements. “With its wide-ranging applications, we meticulously tested and modified the end product formulation to cater to customer requirements. Using the industry products as a benchmark and matching their efficacy was key,” he states.

Since the paints or inks were water-based, there was a concern that it would allow microorganisms to thrive. Traditional amine-based adjusters react (or deactivate) with biocide – a chemical substance or microorganism intended to destroy, deter, or control any harmful organism. This pH adjuster does not interact with or destabilize the biocide and ensures protection from microorganisms, extending exterior durability, giving it UV protection, and making it weather-resistant

 

Once all the testing was complete, the product, now called PHEL Conc – pH Elevate Concentrate – was added to our extensive paints and coatings portfolio and was ready for commercialization.

 

The duo then trained the commercial teams on how to position the product. Currently, several countries in Asia Pacific have begun promoting it and have received successful customer orders. They are now looking to expand the product to more countries