BASF’s Acronal® EDGE 4248 is a high-performance, sustainable binder designed for exterior architectural coatings, offering exceptional adhesion, grain crack resistance, dirt pick-up resistance and weatherability. It is versatile enough for both standard exterior applications and specialty uses like porch and floor coatings, while also excelling in early rain resistance and aligning with low-VOC, low-emission standards.
From extreme weather and UV exposure to dirt accumulation and surface adhesion challenges, exterior coatings face an extensive list of demands. BASF’s Acronal® EDGE 4248 was developed to meet those demands — delivering a sustainable, high-performance binder designed specifically for paints and primers used on the outside of homes and buildings.
At the core of Acronal EDGE 4248’s innovation is a combination of formulating flexibility, dirt pick-up resistance, and enhanced durability. Built on decades of resin chemistry experience, the binder helps manufacturers create coatings that go on easily, stay clean longer, and stand up to the elements — all while aligning with the industry’s shift toward low-VOC, low-emission solutions.
“This binder is unique in that it checks off multiple boxes that the market is asking for,” said Yasmin Nassar, BASF Technical Specialist — Dispersions & Resins North America. “It offers excellent tannin blocking, surfactant leaching, high elongation, great adhesion, and an industry-leading dirt pick-up resistance profile. That’s a hard mix to find in one product.”
Coatings made with Acronal EDGE 4248 resist the visible signs of aging and dirt accumulation that often lead to costly and time-consuming repaints. Whether it’s a sunny climate or a storm-prone region, the binder’s flexibility and weather resistance help coatings maintain their film integrity and appearance over time.
Jack Johnson, Market Segment Manager — Exterior Architectural Coatings at BASF, emphasized the product's versatility: "It has an excellent balance between grain crack resistance and flexibility. It's flexible enough to resist grain cracks while also offering strong dirt pickup resistance, which is usually found in harder, more enamel-like materials. This product bridges the gap between these two qualities. We've observed outstanding weatherability, delivering best-in-class outdoor performance across hundreds of projects and thousands of boards. After four to five years across multiple climates and in many different formulation spaces, it still looks great with minimal cracking and retaining its appearance."
One of the biggest benefits of Acronal EDGE 4248 is its adhesion profile. Whether you're applying it over aged alkyd surfaces or hard-to-coat substrates, 4248 offers consistent and reliable bonding. This makes it a significant advantage for both contractors and DIYers alike. Its adhesion performance is particularly valuable in primer applications, where bonding to porous or previously painted surfaces can make or break the success of the topcoat.
The product was developed to function well across both primers and topcoats, helping reduce complexity in product portfolios. It works seamlessly in formulations for flat through semi-gloss sheens, and its strong dirt pick-up resistance (DPUR) profile makes it an attractive option in both new builds and repaint markets.
“From a formulation standpoint, it’s incredibly versatile,” Johnson noted. “You can hit multiple price points and performance tiers, which gives paint makers the flexibility to meet a range of customer needs with a single binder platform.”
In addition to its normal exterior applications, 4248 has proven to be highly effective in specialty applications, such as porch and floor coatings. About two years ago, BASF discovered that this product could be used in these specialty areas. The company conducted a comprehensive study comparing the formulation and other internal products to more than 20 different commercial porch and floor paints. These paints were tested on wooden boards and concrete pavers at BASF test facilities.
The results showed that Acronal EDGE 4248 performed exceptionally well, maintaining its appearance and durability. This expands the application area of the product, making it suitable for both specialty and normal exterior uses.
Additionally, Acronal EDGE 4248 excels in early rain resistance testing. With proper formulation, it can achieve excellent early rain resistance, meaning the paint sets up quickly and resists the effects of rain. However, achieving this balance requires careful consideration of both rain resistance and open time. It is formulation-specific, but with the right approach, you can achieve an optimal balance between drying time and open time. This ensures the paint passes early rain resistance tests while maintaining good open time. BASF formulators can assist customers in fine-tuning their formulations to achieve these results.
True to BASF’s sustainability commitments, Acronal EDGE 4248 is free from intentionally added fluorosurfactants and can be formulated at low to zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs), helping manufacturers meet regulatory standards and align with green building certifications.
“Sustainability was built into this product from the beginning,” Nassar said. “We're helping formulators create coatings that last longer and need fewer repaints, which is one of the most direct ways we can reduce the environmental footprint of architectural paints.”
The binder’s development was shaped by ongoing conversations with BASF customers and partners — conversations that continue today. From lab testing to in-market trials, the feedback has been clear: formulators appreciate 4248’s balance of performance, workability, and regulatory readiness.
“We’re not just developing products in a vacuum,” Johnson said. “We’re on the phone with customers every day, solving problems together. This binder was born out of those partnerships.”
As the architectural coatings market evolves, BASF remains focused on delivering solutions that keep customers ahead of the curve. Acronal EDGE 4248 reflects that commitment — offering an advanced acrylic binder that strengthens paint performance, simplifies formulation, and supports sustainability goals.
“With Acronal 4248, we’ve taken what the market’s been asking for and turned it into a tangible solution,” Nassar said. “It’s one of those rare products that brings together technical excellence and everyday practicality. That’s what makes it special.”
For questions about Acronal EDGE 4248, contact BASF.