vides heavy metal-free passivation while maintaining the optical
properties of the base aluminum flake. This new platform will
allow our customers to develop brilliant metallic finishes using
more environmentally-friendly aqueous systems.
Coatings World: How did the metallic pigments market fare in
2010 compared to years past, and what are expectations for
2011 and beyond? How do you see the market evolving in the
years ahead? What will be the market drivers?
Hollman: The overall metallic pigments market rebounded in
2010 from the crisis burdened prior year. Sun Chemical has seen
excellent growth for metallic pigments sales in the first part of
2011 and we are cautiously optimistic that the general economic
conditions will remain stable and that this upward trend will
continue. We believe that we are well positioned for long-term
sustainable growth in effect pigments.
Coatings World: What would you say is the greatest challenge
to operating in the metallic pigments market and why?
Hollman: The most important trend impacting the metallic pigments market is that raw material, labor and solvent costs have
all increased significantly in 2010. Increasing raw material and
conversion costs require Sun Chemical to not only innovate in
terms of new product platforms and technologies, but also to innovate in terms of process and raw material productivity. The
uncertain stability of the current market makes it essential that
we focus our resources on projects that deliver the most value to
our customers. At Sun Chemical, we are dedicated to delivering
quality, service and innovation to our customers.
Coatings World: How are the high-growth markets around the
world impacting business in the metallic pigments market?
Hollman: The high-growth markets provide an outstanding opportunity for growth. In general, the growing middle-class in these regions provides vast growth potential for all types of consumer
products. For example, China has emerged as a dominant player in
the automotive sector and has as a result, created significant demand
for metallic effects for topcoats, trim and interior components. CW
Sun Chemical Performance Pigments introduces new pigment technology
With customers looking for more color
options, special effects and sustainable
solutions, Sun Chemical Performance
Pigments recently introduced new products that can meet sustainability needs,
maintain high color strength, provide
more special effects and give added
durability in a variety of harsh conditions
in the automotive, industrial, waterborne
and architectural coatings markets.
One example is the SunMetallics line
of non-leafing aluminum flake pigments
for use in solventborne industrial and
OEM coating applications. The product
portfolio includes cornflake and silver dollar pigments over a broad particle size
range to allow for formulation of coatings
with excellent hiding power to brilliant
metallic effects and excellent color travel.
At the recent European Coatings
Show Sun Chemical Performance Pig-
ments expanded the SunMetallics alu-
minum pigment product line with a new
encapsulation technology that stabilizes
aluminum flake pigments for use in wa-
terborne formulations. The new encap-
sulation technology provides outstanding
stability in aqueous systems without de-
tracting from the optical qualities of the
aluminum flake, giving the metallic look
customers desire in paint formulas, which
are inherently more environmentally-
friendly.
www.coatingsworld.com
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