Coatings World - November 2011

Toyota approves PPG
matte clearcoat for new
Lexus LFA supercar

A concept version of the Lexus LFA supercar was unveiled in 2009 and is made with lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). In late 2010, when the LFA went into production with a projected run of just 500 vehicles, the matte black finish became one of 30 color options.

oped the matte clearcoat for its premium Global Refinish System brand. Collision repair centers using D8113 can accurately match original matte colors and deliver an even, durable and long-lasting finish. This clearcoat can also be applied over rigid plastics without the need for special additives, making it ideal for use over the LFA’s characteristic CFRP cabin, as well as on grills, bumpers and exterior mirrors.

steadily over the years and we continue to
strengthen our position and develop our
organizational structures as well as grow
capacity there.”
“We are very excited to be associated
with the new Lexus LFA supercar,” said
Ron Thomas, PPG OEM and EMEA tech-
nical marketing manager. “Toyota’s ap-
proval of our clearcoat is a major
achievement and something to be proud
of. Matte finishes are becoming increas-
ingly popular in both luxury and main-
stream automotive markets.”
Full body matte finishes, particularly
black, are extremely difficult to replicate
using standard clearcoats and matting
agents, says PPG. Addressing the chal-
lenge, PPG Automotive Refinish devel-

AkzoNobel Powder Coatings expands manufacturing facilities with Izmir Plant AkzoNobel Powder Coatings has expanded its facilities at the manufacturing plant in Izmir, Turkey. Opened on September 23, 2011 by Leif Darner, AkzoNobel board member responsible for performance coatings. The extensions include office buildings, a new warehouse and a new SBU R&D lab which will become a Center of Expertise for both standard and special effect products. The manufacturing facility started operations in July 2000, as part of a joint venture with the Altan family. The Izmir site has become increasingly important over the last few years and now produces a significant proportion of high quality architectural products for Europe. “This is an excellent example of our commitment to the emerging markets,” said AB Ghosh, managing director BU Powder Coatings. “Our operations in Turkey have grown

BASF specialty application for strengthening residential roofs during high-wind events approved by Miami-Dade County BASF’s closed-cell spray polyurethane foam products have received hurricane-zone approval from the Miami-Dade County Building and Neighborhood Compliance (BNC) Department. Tests and engineering evaluations of Comfort Foam and Spraytite (178 series) applied at roofing trusses increased the wind-uplift resistance of a traditional code-approved home roof by more than 200 percent. Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) from BASF can enhance wind-uplift resistance of new and existing homes to help prevent roof failure during a hurricane. Submission of this test data to the Miami-Dade County BNC office resulted in the first Notice of Acceptance (NOA) for this application with approval for use in High Velocity Hurricane Zones.

PPG’s Global Refinish System D8113 provides the Lexus LFA super sports car’s signature matte black finish.

RPM reports double-digit sales
and net income increases in
fiscal 2012 first quarter

RPM International Inc. reported double-digit increases in sales and net income for its fiscal 2012 first quarter ended August 31, 2011.

Fiscal 2012 first-quarter net sales of $985.9 million were 10.2 perccent ahead of the $894.8 million reported a year ago. Consolidated EBIT was $136.5 million, up 11. 9 percent from the $122.0 million reported in the fiscal 2011 first quarter. Net income of $76.8 million was up 11. 3 percent from the $69 million reported in the fiscal 2011 first quarter.

“First-quarter results were on plan, with both our industrial and consumer segments posting solid increases in both sales and EBIT, despite the continued challenging economic climate and higher raw material costs,” said Frank Sullivan, chairman and chief executive.