European Center for Dispersion Technologies completes AI research project

The European Center for Dispersion Technologies (EZD) in Selb has completed its research project, ‘DigiLack’. The initiative focused on systematically integrating digital methods, tools, and artificial intelligence into the development of lacquer systems and ink formulations.

Traditionally, developing new coatings and inks requires extensive iterative laboratory testing, which consumes significant time, material, and resources. Project leader and Senior Scientist Andreas Schneider stated that the goal was to supplement classic static test plans with data-driven models to accelerate development processes and increase resource efficiency.

The project utilized Carbon Black, a pigment used in many lacquers and printing inks, as a model system. Due to its tendency to agglomerate, Carbon Black provided a complex dataset for testing. Findings confirmed that particle stabilization is critical during the milling and dispersion process to prevent rapid re-agglomeration.