In the dynamic world of coatings and paints, wetting agents and surface modifiers are essential for optimizing surface properties and formulation performance. Formulators rely on these additives for their efficiency, broad compatibility, and multifunctional benefits, including substrate wetting, foam control, slip enhancement, and leveling.
This product line stands out not only for its chemical diversity but also for its functional mapping across key performance dimensions. In an effort to better understand the impact of wetting agents and surface modifiers, and the need to remove hazardous raw materials, we caught up with Tyrone Vaugh, Technical Service Specialist at BASF, through the next questions, coatings and inks formulations can get insights into selected products within the portfolio, explore their relevance across industry segments, and address emerging regulatory challenges that are reshaping additive selection and formulation strategies.
What type of additive would be useful for lowering surface tension, improving pigment wetting, and reducing foaming in a coating?
Tyrone Vaugh: BASF’s additives portfolio includes polymeric, oligomeric, and surfactant-based products tailored for applications from architectural coatings to industrial finishes and printing systems. When it comes to lowering surface tension, improving pigment wetting, and controlling foam, three additives stand out:
Hydropalat® WE 3320 is one of our go-to surfactants for waterborne systems. It’s a non-ionic, APEO- and VOC-free additive that serves as both a wetting and dispersing agent. What makes it stand out is its ability to deliver excellent pigment stabilization and enhanced substrate wetting, which translates into better color development and acceptance. From a formulation perspective, it’s easy to work with low viscosity, good compatibility, integrates well across different coating systems, contributes to gloss improvement and reduces water sensitivity, which formulators really appreciate. We’ve seen strong performance in architectural and industrial coatings, and even in automotive OEM applications.
Hydropalat WE 3323 also, part of our non-silicone portfolio, this additive features a branched structure that delivers exceptional substrate wetting and foam suppression. This dual-action capability simplifies formulation design and enhances application efficiency, making it a go-to choice for formulators seeking both performance and reliability.
Hydropalat WE 3229 is designed to tackle two major formulation challenges: substrate wetting and defoaming. It is particularly effective in preventing surface defects like craters and air entrapment, which are common in high-speed coating applications. Its low viscosity and broad compatibility make it easy to integrate at any stage of production. We’ve seen excellent results in wood coatings, architectural finishes, and even solvent-free UV systems. Plus, it’s biocide-free and ECO label compliant, supporting our sustainability goals while elevating both performance and appearance.
For high-end waterborne coatings on challenging substrates like plastics, metals, and wood, as well as for pigment concentrates and inks, which wetting agents give you ease of use with dynamic wetting plus defoaming in one?
Tyrone Vaugh: For these demanding applications, Hydropalat WE 3322 and Hydropalat WE 3323 are highly recommended. These hyperbranched surfactants are 100% active and deliver excellent dynamic wetting and defoaming performance. They’ve proven effective in packaging inks, where low foam is critical for press speeds, and in industrial coatings. Notably, Hydropalat WE 3323 maintains intercoat adhesion and helps hide sanding marks in automotive OEM coatings, demonstrating compatibility in multi-layer systems.
To complement these options, Hydropalat WE 3229 is also a strong candidate. It’s particularly effective in preventing surface defects like craters and air entrapment, common issues in high-speed coating environments. Its low viscosity and broad compatibility make it easy to integrate at any stage of production, offering formulators greater flexibility. Hydropalat WE 3229 has shown excellent results in wood coatings, architectural finishes, and solvent-free UV systems. Plus, it’s biocide-free and ECO label compliant, supporting sustainability goals while enhancing both performance and appearance.
Paint and ink manufacturers are on the front lines replacing materials of concern, as they must ensure their products comply and still perform. Many formulators prefer to reformulate rather than carry a hazard label, especially on specific warnings that could alarm environmentally conscious end-users. Why has TMDD’s persistence in the environment recently put it under regulatory scrutiny?
Tyrone Vaugh: TMDD (2,4,7,9-Tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol) has long been valued for its ability to lower surface tension and suppress foam—key to eliminating coating defects like craters and bubbles. However, recent EU CLP regulations have classified TMDD as vPvM (very Persistent and very Mobile), raising concerns about its environmental impact. In response, Coatings companies are actively collaborating with additive suppliers to identify and evaluate safer alternatives.
Which dimensions are important to consider in a performance comparison when formulators are switching from TMDD containing wetting and surface modifiers?
Tyrone Vaugh: The choice of additives is very important to maintain performance and compatibility when coating and inks manufacturers switch from TMDD containing additives. From a technical standpoint, coatings formulators must ensure key performance functions are still met:
Wetting and leveling: Alternatives must match TMDD’s rapid surface tension reduction to prevent defects like craters, poor leveling, or coverage issues. Some alternatives may achieve similar static surface tension, but not the high-speed wetting that TMDD offers, requiring possible adjustments in application techniques or co-solvents.
Foam and air release: TMDD’s molecular defoaming is highly valued in waterborne systems. Replacements may require additional defoaming agents, which can sometimes introduce side effects such as cratering or haze. The challenge is balancing wetting and foam control, a strength of TMDD.
Compatibility: there could be subtle effects on compatibility with resins or other additives Alternatives have their own compatibility profile and formulator will have to do due diligence testing for each formula.
Which BASF recommendations demonstrate dynamic surface tension reduction and designed to be low foam to switch from TMDD containing additives?
Tyrone Vaugh: BASF’s Hydropalat WE 3322 and Hydropalat WE 3323 were developed to deliver excellent substrate wetting with low foaming, acting as defoamers in many formulations. Internal tests show that both agents achieve dynamic surface tension reduction comparable to TMDD-based benchmarks. Hydropalat WE 3322 matches benchmark dynamic surface tension and improves foam break times, while Hydropalat WE 3323 demonstrates rapid dynamic wetting and a pronounced defoaming effect, reducing foam in various formulations. Both are drop-in replacements for water-based coatings and inks, offering a strong sustainability profile (APEO-free, low-VOC, and certain food contact approvals) without TMDD’s regulatory concerns.
What is the R&D pipeline of BASF additives to address TMDD regulations in the Coatings market?
Tyrone Vaugh: BASF is developing next-generation “Star” polymer surfactant CGPS 434 100% active as sustainable and low-foam that can be an alternative to TMDD-based wetting agents with benchmark performance. The R&D prototype will be designed to be future-proof and meet evolving regulatory and customer demands. One reported benefit of our CGPS 434 in coatings will be the improved corrosion resistance relative to some traditional wetting agents.