Agriculture & Construction Equipment (ACE) Coating Solutions with ACURE™
A Breakthrough in Performance and Sustainability for ACE Coatings
Manufacturers in the Agriculture and Construction Equipment (ACE) industry face a balancing act: the need for exceptional durability against rising production costs and intensifying sustainability mandates.
As conventional coatings struggle to meet these modern demands, ACURE™ offers a high-performance alternative, engineered to turn regulatory and operational pressures into a decisive competitive advantage.
Limitations of Conventional ACE Coating Systems
Industry-standard ACE coating systems present a landscape of inherent trade-offs that directly impact efficiency, cost, and compliance.
- 2K Polyurethane (PU): 2K PU coatings provide excellent durability and finish quality, making them a long-standing industry standard. However, they rely on isocyanates, a hazardous component subject to strict regulations. They often require elevated curing temperatures, increasing energy consumption and compliance burden, while reducing productivity.
- Polyaspartic Systems: Polyaspartics are known for their rapid cure speeds accompanied by relatively high isocyanate demand. ACURE™ systems similarly have rapid cure speeds but much longer pot lives. Additionally, ACURE™ systems have much better gloss and gloss retention with exterior exposure.
ACURE™: Performance Without Compromise
Developed around Real Michael Addition (RMA) chemistry, a rapid reaction that forms exceptionally robust carbon-carbon bonds, ACURE™ is a revolutionary coating technology that delivers a new level of durability and operational freedom.
Decoupling Pot Life and Dry Time
In conventional urethane systems, pot life and dry time are locked together. The faster the coating dries on the surface, the faster it gels in the pot. If you extend the pot life, surface cure slows. That coupling has always been the industry’s compromise.
ACURE™ changes that completely. It is the first chemistry to truly decouple pot life from dry time. With ACURE™, a coating can be through dry in as little as an hour, while the same mixed paint maintains a pot-life of eight to ten hours. No other two-component system in the world can do that.
The benefits are obvious:
Less waste: Leftover mixed paint doesn’t harden into scrap; it can be sealed and reused.
Lower energy use: ACURE™ cures rapidly so ovens can run cooler or bake cycles shortened, cutting energy costs and boosting throughput.
This isn’t just an incremental improvement; it’s a fundamental shift in coatings chemistry and performance.
Lower VOCs, Greater Plant Capacity
ACURE™ resins have inherently low viscosity, which allows formulators to increase solids without making the coating too thick to spray. More solids mean less solvent and that translates directly into lower VOCs. This helps you unlock paint shop capacity, enabling you to increase overall output without capital-intensive upgrades, while staying within emission limits.
Sample Formulation
This sample formulation for a high-gloss white topcoat demonstrates how ACURE™ achieves its game-changing performance. The result is VOC levels below 250 g/L, and a practical 4-hour pot life. Acure delivers a coating that is both compliant and operationally efficient – potentially a huge structural improvement in emissions performance.
VOC Reduction
Typical solventborne urethane: ~420 g/L VOC.
| Material | Weight | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Mill base | ||
| ACURE 550-105 | 30.06 | acryloyl functional resin |
| ADDITOL® XL 6592 (80% in MPA*) | 1.35 | dispersing additive |
| ADDITOL VXL 4951 N | 0.67 | defoamer |
| ADDITOL XL 6531 | 0.64 | air release additive |
| Kronos 2310 | 67.58 | pigment |
| grind until < 10 µm, keep temperature < 40 °C | ||
| Total | 100.00 | |
| Component 1 | ||
| ACURE 510-200 | 21.98 | malonate functional resin |
| ACURE 510-270** | 6.83 | malonate functional resin |
| Mill base | 65.04 | |
| n-propanol | 2.20 | |
| Butyl acetate | 0.88 | |
| Mix and add: | ||
| ADDITOL XL 6507 | 0.26 | surface additive |
| Tinuvin 292 | 0.44 | light stabilizer |
| Component 2 | ||
| ACURE 500 | 2.37 | catalyst |
| Total | 100.00 | |
| Butyl acetate until spray viscosity 8.0 | ||
Isocyanate-Free Technology
Isocyanates have long been the cornerstone, and the most hazardous aspect, of conventional urethane systems for coatings in the agriculture and construction industry. ACURE™ eliminates this concern entirely. By being completely isocyanate-free, it simplifies compliance, removes the need for specialized training, complex exposure controls and creates a safer working environment.
Future-proof Your Operations
- Improve worker safety
- Reduce risk from future regulations
For manufacturers, this is a proactive pathway to futureproof operations against tightening health and safety regulations. Adopting ACURE™ is a strategic decision that strengthens operational continuity and positions your business ahead of regulatory change.
Contact our regional experts for more information and free samples.
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ACE Coating Toolbox from ACURE™
ACURE™ provides a tunable binder platform for use across a broad range of applications. It's a versatile system of donors, acceptors, and catalysts.
Tunable Drying Properties
- Pot Life: 1hrs to several days
- Through dry: Typically ~15 minutes
- Open Time: 5-30 minutes
Below are some of the ACURE products most suitable for Agriculture and Construction Equipment (ACE) coatings. Please contact an allnex expert for more guidance and support.
Donor Resins
Primary binders that set durability and handling.
Acceptor Resins
Secondary binders that drive hardness & speed.
Catalyst
The trigger that enables ACURE’s decoupled cure.
Whether you need faster hardness development, enhanced flexibility, or superior flow and leveling, the ACURE™ toolbox provides the components to build the perfect coating for the job.
Seamless Integration and Expert Support
ACURE™ is designed for a smooth transition and is compatible with standard application methods and primer systems. Beyond the technology, allnex provides full technical guidance, including custom formulation support, troubleshooting, and a reliable global supply chain.
Rethink Your Coating Strategy
allnex has been innovating coatings for agriculture and construction equipment for decades. ACURE™ is a smarter platform engineered for the future of the Agriculture and Construction equipment coatings sector. By enabling manufacturers to enhance compliance, boost throughput, and reduce energy costs, it provides a clear path to sustainable, high-performance coatings. To explore samples or begin a trial formulation, contact our allnex team of experts today.
Product Selector for ACURE™ Coating Resins
CONTACT OUR EXPERTS FOR MORE INFORMATION AND FREE SAMPLES
Oliver Truchses
Expert for ACURE™ Coating Resins
