Flexible Packaging
The Michelman brands of water-based primers and coatings offer critical functionality to complex packaging structures for food, medical, and consumer goods applications.
Extrusion Coating Primers
Michem® Flex P-series primers render packaging films and papers more receptive to extruded PE and PP film, thus the extrusion process is more efficient at lower temperatures, and the extrudate has better adhesion to the substrate. Available primer grades are optimized for applications ranging from very demanding retort packages to more basic end uses.
Functional Coatings
Michem® Lube wax emulsions are added to water-based flexible packaging coatings to maximize the efficiency of form, fill and seal operations, and provide slip control, anti-blocking, mar resistance, and release. Michem® Flex formulated coatings work with both film and paper applications and offer gas, mineral, and moisture barriers with options available for food contact compliance.
Heat Seal Coatings
Michem® Flex HS-series heat seal coatings are water-based, often primerless, and balance low initiation temperatures with high ultimate bond strength. Owing to our continuous innovation of the product line, a broad range of products are available to suit various application requirements.
Paper Converting & Corrugated
Performance brands such as VaporCoat®, Michem® Coat, and HydraBan® are the recognized industry solutions for paper products and packaging used in the most demanding applications.
Food Service
The market for single-serve food containers continues to evolve to paper-based solutions such as folding cartons (aka folding boxboard), microflute corrugated trays, molded pulp, and many other structures. Michelman coating solutions provide oil and grease barrier and other key functionality for the safe and reliable use of paper in food service containers.
Industrial
Tubes and cores, gypsum board, packaging for corrodible metal components (auto parts, etc.), tier sheets, and numerous other industrial applications rely on Michelman coating technology. Our solutions include release, anti-corrosion vapor barrier, moisture vapor barrier, low slip, and many other effects. Michelman's experience in developing solutions to these challenges was pioneering and continues to grow.
Perishables
Paperboard is a versatile carton material that demands a barrier treatment when used in aggressive environments. Corrugated boxes are a staple solution for the shipping and storage of fresh produce and other perishables as well as environmentally sensitive materials. For longstanding or emerging applications, Michelman has the trusted brands of barrier and functional coatings to cover the gamut of performance requirements for paperboard and corrugated.
Digital Printing
Primers and OPVs each play different roles in the digital production environment, but together they provide printed material with water resistance, chemical resistance, scratch resistance, and thermal resistance. They also increase gamut, prevent colors from fading, and enable greater customization.
High-Speed InkJet
Michelman's family of high-performance primers for inkjet are designed to improve print quality and ink adhesion on both film and paper substrates, including solutions for both pigmented water-based and UV inkjet printing applications.
HP Indigo Solutions
HP Indigo, as a global leader in high quality digital printing technology, has tested and recommends a broad range of Michelman's DigiPrime priming solutions that optimize paper and film media to produce the best possible printed output. Also Indigo tested and recommended are Michem In-Line Primers for Indigo presses with ILP stations, as well as Sapphire brand primer. Product selection guidance, data sheets, and usage guidelines for this fast-growing area are available online here or upon request.
Overprint Varnish
DigiGuard® aqueous and UV curable overprint varnishes protect and enhance the appearance of printed materials. Various grades are available for commercial print jobs; form, fill and seal packaging; and food contact applications.
Agricultural Ingredients
NurtureYield® waterborne formulation additives improve flow and planting behavior of seeds; processing and controlled release in fertilizers; and shelf life of harvested produce.
Fertilizer
NurtureYield® quick drying, anti-caking agents form a hydrophobic layer around fertilizer granules slowing the rate of moisture absorption.
Seed Coatings
Seed treatments and coatings increase the usefulness of high value seeds from field crops to vegetables and ornamentals. Michelman additives can aid in ensuring the even processing and planting of seeds. They can also help in controlling moisture, aiding antiblock and providing binding properties.
Architectural Specialty Coatings
Michelman technologies offer optimum protection, durability, and surface qualities in a wide array of architectural and special purpose coatings.
Building Paints
We offer a complete line of performance-enhancing aqueous surface modifiers for use in both interior and exterior building paints
Exterior Wood Protection
Our polymers and additives help extend the maintenance cycle of low VOC water-based clear wood finishes and stains designed for exterior wood decking and siding. Added to wood finish formulations, Michem® Wood Coating products penetrate and protect wood against water swelling while polymers add toughness and longer service life.
Polishes
Licomer® system of polymer dispersions and wax emulsions for the care and maintenance of high traffic surfaces in flooring, automotive, furniture, and soft goods applications.
Automotive Care
Michelman's additives enhance vehicle appearance and maintenance products, including washes, waxes, polishes, and 2-in-1 products for auto, marine, RV, and motorcycles. Performance attributes include improved adhesion, gloss, lubricity, buff-ability, water beading, and mar & water resistance. Many contain plant-based, renewable carnauba wax.
Furniture Polish
Buffable polishes for fine wood furniture that produce a hard, lasting finish, based on Michelman wax emulsions and polymers.
Household
Licomer® products for dry-bright polishes and other easy-to apply household formulations are available for all types of commonly used hard and resilient floor surfaces. These products are low VOC, APE-free, and formaldehyde-free.
Industrial & Institutional
Designed for the most demanding I&I applications, the Licomer® system is maintenance-friendly for all types of flooring surfaces. Our environmentally friendly products feature: • Low VOC, APE-free, formaldehyde-free • Optimum balance of polish buffability, low maintenance, hardness, durability, slip resistance and gloss • Leveling aids for a superior finish • Durability against scuff & mar, black heel marks, and harsh cleaning chemicals
Industrial Coatings
ProHere®, Michem®, and other specialty brand solutions for factory-applied and field-applied protective coatings on metal, concrete, wood or plastic.
Can & Coil
The addition of a Michelman emulsion or dispersion enhances the processing and performance of a wide range of metal products by improving mar and scratch resistance, mobility, slip/lubricity and corrosion resistance. Many of our products are waterborne and achieve these goals without solvents.
Concrete
For maximum formulation flexibility, our extensive line of Michem® surface additives, NatureShield® natural oil emulsions and Michelman polymers add specific attributes to water-based protective and cure and seal formulations.
Die Lubes & Mold Releases
Mold release agents and sprays are designed specifically for use with all types of rubber, plastic, composites, wood fiber composites/panel pressing, concrete, stone veneers, and polyurethane parts to allow easy and clean release. A wide variety of wax types are used in die lubricants and mold releases for plastics, metals, and concrete, where high-temperature lubricity is required.
General Metal
ProHere® polymers and surface modifiers for waterborne metal coatings enhance lubricity; torque, tension and noise control; as well as appearance, haptics, durability, and anti-scratching of the finish.
Gloves
Michelman wax emulsions improve the in-plant handling and service life of natural and synthetic rubber gloves.
Leather
Michelman offers a broad range of Michem® surface modifier additives to enhance the performance properties of water-based coatings for leather.
Maintenance Coatings
Selected Michelman waterborne polymers and additives are ideally suited for direct-to-metal primer and coating formulations, offering a range of functional properties.
Metal Plating
ProHere® waterborne polymer dispersions and emulsions specifically developed for use in metal coatings enhance the binding properties of coatings used in electroplating, supporting the key benefits electroplating offers in improving the durability of metal parts.
Metalworking Fluids
Metalworking fluids (MWFs) are specialized liquids used in machining and metal-forming processes to cool, lubricate, and improve the quality of metal parts. They help reduce friction, dissipate heat, prevent tool wear, and remove metal debris (chips). They are essential in industries like automotive, aerospace, and general metal fabrication. ProHere® E water-based additives help MWFs protect against corrosion and improve surface finishes.
OEM Applied Wood Protection
Michelman's range of polymers allows formulators to develop factory-applied wood coatings for a broad range of end-use applications. Typical applications include cabinetry and furniture, parquet flooring, wood doors, and window frames. Various surface modifier additives enhance many formulations' surface appearance, haptics, and durability.
On-Site Applied Wood Protection
Michelman's range of polymers allows formulators to develop wood coatings for in-field use for a broad range of applications, including parquet flooring, wood doors, and window frames. Various surface modifier additives enhance many formulations' surface appearance, haptics, and durability for contractor and do-it-yourself (DIY) applied solutions.
Textiles
Selected Michelman water-based binders are ideally suited for textile coating formulations. Generally used as topcoats, they offer functional properties such as good abrasion and water-resistance.
