Eckart launches Versalan Aluminum Pigment Preparation

Eckart (Painesville, Ohio) has introduced Versalan, a next-generation aluminum pigment preparation designed for more efficient and safer processing. Announced in Hartenstein, Germany, on June 29, the product is based on high-purity, flake-shaped aluminum pigments with an inorganic SiO₂ coating and builds on the company’s Hydrolan technology to address growing performance, regulatory and sustainability demands in modern coating systems. Versalan is supplied as a free-flowing, dust-free powder, which enables clean handling, precise dosing and reliable processing to support efficient production across multiple industries.

One of Versalan's key advantages is direct dispersibility: it can be mixed directly into water without any pre-wetting or solvent pre-mixing step and can be introduced at any stage of production. This reduces the number of process steps required, shortens production times and enables more precise adjustment of color and metallic effects, all while reducing solvent use. The product also features optimized flow properties and a tailored additive package that ensure strong wetting and improved flowability compared with conventional aluminum pastes, resulting in cleaner processes, lower contamination risk and more consistent product quality.

Versalan's volatile organic compound content is below 5%, and it is not classified as a dangerous good, which simplifies transport and reduces logistics costs while supporting regulatory compliance; its low flammability further improves safety and removes the need for hazardous-material shipping procedures. Because it ships solvent-free, the product also reduces logistics complexity and cost along the value chain, while its improved wetting properties and high aluminum content support efficient pigment use. The preparation is available in multiple particle sizes, enabling metallic effects ranging from intense sparkle to structureless finishes and is suited for automotive OEM and refinish coatings, industrial coatings, plastics, UV-curable systems and specialized processes such as RIM, FIM and wrapping.