Paint is used to decorate, protect and prolong the life of natural and synthetic materials, and acts as a barrier against environmental conditions. Paints may be broadly classified into Decorative paints, applied on site to decorate and protect buildings and other objects, and Industrial coatings which are applied in factories to finish manufactured goods such as cars.
Paints contain: pigment(s) - prime pigments to impart color and opacity ;binder (resin) - a polymer, often referred to as resin, forming a matrix to hold the pigment in place; extender - larger pigment particles added to improve adhesion, strengthen the film and save binder; solvent (sometimes called a thinner) - either an organic solvent or water is used to reduce the viscosity of the paint for better application. Water-borne paints are replacing some paints that use volatile organic compounds such as the hydrocarbons which are harmful to the atmosphere; additives - used to modify the properties of the liquid paint or dry film.
The binder (resin) and solvent together are sometimes known as the vehicle. The binder may be dissolved as a solution or carried as a dispersion of microscopically small particles in a liquid.
Paints are formulated according to their proposed use - primer, undercoat, special finishes (matt, gloss, heat resistance, anti-corrosion, abrasion resistance). The pigment powder is broken down into individual particles which are coated by and dispersed in the binder (resin) - known as 'wetting out'. Solvent is then added to give the required consistency. Each batch of ingredients is thoroughly mixed in large, stirred containers with the required additives.
Few Indian Major Players are as under
• Akzo Nobel India Ltd.
• Arofine Polymers Ltd.
• Asian Paints Ltd.
• Bangalore Paints Ltd.
• Beepee Coatings Pvt. Ltd.
• Berger Paints India Ltd.
• Godavari Paints Pvt. Ltd.
• Jenson & Nicholson (India) Ltd.
• Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd.
• Pelican Paints Ltd.
• Rajdoot Paints Ltd.
• Rich Paints Ltd.
• Shalimar Paints Ltd.
• Special Paints Ltd.
• Tamil Nadu Paints & Allied Products Ltd.