Henkel Adhesive Technologies has signed joint development agreement with US-based DropWise Technologies Corp.
DropWise has developed technology, intellectual property and lab-scale manufacturing of hydrophobic coating applications. The partnership will enable Henkel to expand its global surface treatment business and driving growth with new applications.
The global coatings market is rapidly changing with increasing demands for new technologies that offer additional functionalities and improved sustainability. DropWise´s innovation will enable a durable polymer surface with unique properties that offers improved heat transfer.
The DropWise application process is based on an iCVD technique which allows the coating to be applied for OEM or retrofit applications. Using just a very small amount of polymer precursors, a chemical reaction is carried out that covalently grafts an ultra-thin polymer film to any metal surface. DropWise’s hydrophobic coating is used in condensing heat exchangers, where the technology increases the efficiency by eliminating the insulating film of liquid that typically builds up on the surface. Increasing the efficiency of these systems allows for reductions in fuel consumption, emissions and coolant water use, particularly for thermal power plants, which are the largest contributors to global emissions and second largest consumers of water.
