Tech

Many technical applications benefit from lecithin

With its strong separating effect and good emulsifying and dispersing properties, lecithin can also be of great help in industry, improving products and optimising work processes.

Detergents

Detergents and fabric softeners containing lecithin give textiles made of wool, cotton, synthetics and mixed fabrics a pleasantly soft and fluffy feel, even in hard water.

In its capacity as natural quaternary, lecithin allows the reduction or even elimination of synthetic quaternaries or other cation-active plasticizers and thus meets the ecological requirements of consumers.

Paints and varnishes

In paints and lacquers, lecithins control the rheological properties, viscosity, flow properties and spreading ability. This applies both to solvent-based and water-based systems and to printing inks. Lecithin plasticises protective coatings and improves their removal.

Crude oil products

In lubricants and hydraulic fluids, the plasticising and dissolving properties of lecithin interact to regulate viscosity and flow behaviour. The viscosities of mixed paraffin/naphthene-based oils can thus be reduced by lecithins and the flow properties improved.

Lecithin can substitute completely or partially the synthetic triphosphate esters, the classical softeners for lubricants.

Synthetic materials

As an extender (secondary plasticizer), Lecithin reduces the flow anomalies that are strongly pronounced in PVC plastisols. It prevents agglomerations, improves plasticity and adhesive properties of the plastisols.

As a natural plasticiser, lecithin can partially replace synthetic primary plasticisers and synthetic extenders. The antistatic properties and the sliding effect of lecithin are appreciated as positive side effects.

Rubber

Lecithin is compatible with most rubber varieties. As plasticiser, it increases the miscibility, as elasticiser, the tensile strength. These properties are particularly valuable in the processing of waste rubber, especially from an ecological point of view.

Paper

Lecithin is used both in paper production and in paper finishing. It makes paper supple, absorbent and gives it the ability to be calendered. In coating compounds, lecithin improves the rheology. A reduction in viscosity allows a higher proportion of solids with better spreading ability and increased coating speed.

Construction material

In cold mixed asphalt, roofing felt and concrete, lecithin, in its capacity as a plasticiser, improves the pouring properties of cold mix asphalt and optimises the flexibility and adhesion of the finished pavement. The latter also applies to roofing felt. Surface-active and plasticising properties complement each other in the softening of concrete and increase its adhesion.

Adhesives

Lecithin improves the flexibility of natural and synthetic-based adhesives and reduces viscosity. In many cases, lecithin also helps to improve adhesion.

Explosives

Lecithin ensures a high degree of explosiveness with simultaneously increased handling safety. This is due to the plasticising and dispersing properties of the substance, which complement each other. A reduction in viscosity allows higher levels of inorganic and organic nitrates.

Plant protection products

Enriched phospho-lipids are becoming increasingly important in crop protection products. They are used to improve the bonding of the active ingredient with water. The use of phospho-lipids improves the effectiveness of fertilisers and pesticides, while, at the same time, reducing the amount of toxic active ingredients and thus reducing the stress on the environment.

Leather care

Leather care is one more technical application of lecithin. Here it is valued as a component of fatliquors.

Chemical-technical products

Lecithin has become indispensable in various formulations:

Plasticine and modelling clay

Lecithin improves the plastic properties more than castor oil, mineral oil or poly-alcohols. In doing so, it remains food safe and is in no way harmful to health. These properties predestine lecithin for use in toys and children's products.

Ballpoint pens and highlighters

Particularly in combination with poly-alcohols or PVP, lecithin can decisively improve the flow properties. The softening and dissolving properties mean that the flap of highlighters, for instance, can remain open for hours without affecting the function of the pen.

Carbon-less copy films

Lecithin increases plasticity and improves the adhesion of adhesive layers between film and transfer layer.

Underbody protection

In resin-based preparations, the addition of lecithin improves plasticity and adhesion.

Environmental technology

In this area, lecithin benefits from its excellent compatibility and freedom from harmful substances:

Packaging

Bio-compatible, i.e. edible packaging, in principle, for pharmaceuticals or food items, benefit from good flow properties and the resulting increased flexibility, when lecithin is added to them.

Dust control

As a natural plasticiser, lecithin is the ideal dust binder for environmental tasks. It is used in paper manufacture, in agro-chemicals and cotton plantations. As a component of agents against dust explosions in grain mills, the edibility and compatibility of lecithin is decisive.