{"id":23602,"date":"2026-03-18T13:19:38","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T12:19:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oliverbatlle.com\/?p=23602"},"modified":"2026-04-09T16:59:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T14:59:53","slug":"automation-of-additive-dosing-for-the-manufacture-of-water-based-coatings-puma-group-case-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oliverbatlle.com\/en\/automation-of-additive-dosing-for-the-manufacture-of-water-based-coatings-puma-group-case-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Automation of additive dosing for the manufacture of water-based coatings: Puma Group case study"},"content":{"rendered":"

Puma Group and its coatings division<\/b><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Grupo Puma<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong> is a leading business group in the construction materials sector and the largest manufacturer of mortars in Spain. With over 40 years of experience, it develops a wide range of solutions for construction, including adhesives, insulation systems, flooring, asphalt products and renovation solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n

The group also has a division specialising in coatings<\/strong>, both water-based and solvent-based, for the manufacture of waterproofing and decorative paints for fa\u00e7ades and fillers that can be applied to different surfaces. It currently has 37 production centres and a distribution network spanning four continents.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Product to be processed and project objective
\n<\/b><\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

The client manufactures coatings and coverings mainly for the construction sector. Within the framework of this project, the installation of additives is intended for the production of water-based coatings<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The incorporation of additives during the manufacture of paints and coatings is common practice in the industry, as they allow various properties of the final product to be adjusted and improved. Their functions include improving the dispersion of pigments<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and fillers (dispersants), controlling foam generated during the process (defoamers), stabilising the system by adjusting the pH, and providing specific properties such as biological resistance, gloss control, or modification of drying times.<\/span><\/p>\n

These additives are normally used in small quantities and are incorporated at different stages of the manufacturing process, which requires precise and repeatable dosing to ensure the quality and homogeneity of the final product<\/strong>. They are usually supplied in industrial containers such as IBCs or 200-litre drums, so in many plants weighing and addition are done manually.<\/span><\/p>\n

In this context, the aim of the project was to design<\/strong> and implement<\/strong> an automated system capable of managing the weighing and precise dosing of different additives into eight independent dispersion tanks<\/strong>. The installation had to guarantee speed, accuracy and repeatability in the additions, integrating into the existing production process and allowing the direct use of IBCs as storage tanks for the additives. The aim was to avoid frequent transfer or replacement of containers, optimise internal raw material logistics and improve the overall efficiency of the manufacturing process.<\/span><\/p>\n

Oliver + Batlle solution<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

To solve the challenge, Oliver + Batlle<\/strong> designed an automated additive dosing system comprising the following main elements:<\/span><\/p>\n