FEDER - UNICAEN (LCMT LAB) - FOVETH PROJECT
Kohesio
UNIVERSITE DE CAEN NORMANDIE
The research project “FOrmulation and development of a Thermogravable VErnis (FOVETH), carried out by the company Mulann Industries and the LCMT laboratory, is a collaborative project aimed at formulating innovative polymer coatings for lacquers. Lacquers are aluminum discs covered with a polymer varnish, used for the manufacture of molds or “stampers” intended to press vinyl records. These lacquers are engraved from a sound recording, then undergo an electroforming (or electroplating) step to obtain a “master” or “original” which will then allow the manufacture of “positives” then “stampers”. The lacquer market (200 to 250,000 pieces per year) is shared on a global scale between two manufacturers: Transco in the USA and MDC in Japan. The FOVETH project should enable the Mulann company, an SME located in Avranches (40 people, €5.5 million turnover) and specialized in the design, manufacturing and distribution of magnetic tapes (analog audio and bank cards), to become the only producer of lacquers in Europe. Taking advantage of the rebound in the vinyl industry since 2017 and the dynamism of the European pressing market (75% of the global market, including the leaders GZ records, MPO, Optimal Media and Record Industries), the capture of 30% of the market for a turnover of 1 to 1.5 M€/year is envisaged based on the need to secure lacquer supplies from European manufacturers and the development of competitive and innovative products. The formulas used to produce lacquer varnishes were developed in the 1950s during the emergence of the vinyl record market. These varnishes are nitrocellulose resins, the use of which was very widespread at the time due to their rigidity and the ease of their implementation (by simple evaporation of solvent). The final properties of the coating are adjusted using solvents or various additives which may be plasticizers, polymers or mineral fillers. Due to the slowdown in the market at the end of the twentieth century, caused by the appearance of new digital media, there is very little recent research devoted to the formulation of this type of varnish. Societal concerns linked to the flammability of solvents used to apply nitrocellulose varnishes (acetates) have led to their substitution in certain applications (furniture), but they remain widely used, particularly in cosmetics (nail varnish). The durability of nitrocellulose varnishes remains limited (UV resistance, sensitivity to humidity) compared to “modern varnishes developed on a polyurethane base for example. In addition, their implementation by solvent evaporation involves application constraints. For example, the time required for drying varnishes (several months) does not allow lacquer producers to be able to respond to urgent demand without maintaining a large stock. In conclusion, there are therefore multiple potential avenues for formulating an innovative and competitive lacquer varnish in a market that has been neglected for several decades. The need to secure the supply of European vinyl manufacturers, the low competition on an international scale, the opportunity to develop innovative and modern formulas, and the adequacy of the skills of the Mulann company and the LCMT laboratory justify the establishment of this research project.
Smarter Europe / Research and innovation / Research and innovation infrastructure (public)