Coatings World - October 2012

ROW interest continues to grow as well. Matrix System Automo-
tive Finishes has been the leader in Tier 2 paint lines for decades.”
“Consolidation has been a talking point for many years, how-
ever the last two years have seen the most activity,” said Brunori.
“Several major and many smaller acquisitions have changed the
dynamics of the industry at the street level and we anticipate a
lot more consolidation at the jobber level throughout this year.
The organizations’ reputation and relationships will become vital
as we move forward. Bottom line is people want to do business
with people they trust.”
Sustainability, low VOC and other environmental issues will
continue to be important issues for auto refinish manufacturers.

“Market trends observed are toward water-based technology
for basecoats and low VOC in general,” said Manea. “Most im-
portant market needs are for sustainable technologies and
processes that enable increased productivity: quick to apply,
clean sustainable and easy to apply.”
“I don’t think it’s possible to overestimate the importance of
waterborne technologies,” said Strainimaier. “A few years ago,
there were doubters, but we’ve achieved critical mass now, and
the whole industry in Europe and North America is changing
over. We are continuously improving our waterborne systems –
most recently with a new generation that you see in our up-
graded Sikkens Autowave products.”
“It’s obvious that sustainability will continue to be a priority
in the marketplace,” added Strainimaier. “Customers want im-
proved health and safety; they want to create more pride, satis-
faction and loyalty; they want to use less energy and carbon, less
water and create less waste; and they want smart facility plan-
ning and design. Because by doing so they will grow sales and
improve their profit margins. And we’re there to help them
achieve these goals. With our sustainable value proposition we
help to “future-proof” our customers’ businesses – body shops
and repair specialists. We find, by the way, that a lot of work
providers – insurance companies and fleet owners, for example
– share our values.”
Regulatory topics will continue to gain momentum in many
parts of the U.S., according to Brunori. “The VOC changes in
Canada, the addition of several air quality districts in Califor-
nia, and activities around Lake Michigan (LADCO) and the
Northeastern region (OTC) indicate the commitment to reducing
VOC emissions,” he said. “There are several techniques to com-
ply with the lower basecoat VOC limits – either water-based or
solvent-based. Matrix System offers both technologies; Aqualu-

PPG opens color matching laboratory

PPG Automotive Refinish has opened an automated, technologically advanced, color matching laboratory in Cleveland, Ohio. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by PPG management and employees took place September 14, 2012. The new laboratory is expected to be fully operational this month.

A new level of precision and efficiency has been developed for the Refinish Color Matching Laboratory the company said. This com-puter-controlled, high-tech facility marks a significant advancement in the science and art of automotive refinish color matching.

The Refinish Color Matching Laboratory addresses a major chal-
lenge the automotive refinish business faces. “The patent-pending
system incorporates state-of-the-art equipment and proprietary com-
puter software to quickly produce more formulation measurements,
allowing PPG to provide precise variant formulas with operational ef-
ficiency,” said John Outcalt, PPG vice president, global refinish. “The
facility addresses a major challenge the automotive refinish business
faces: the need for collision centers to accurately match the growing
number of domestic and import OEM exterior, bumper, accent and
underhood colors as well as the increasing number of variations to
those OEM standards.”
While an OEM's color code may prescribe a particular paint for-
mulation, the reality is the actual vehicle finish color may differ from
plant to plant for any number of reasons. Consequently color variants are always needed.

PPG's laboratory is equipped to produce accurate color formulations through improved processes and procedures it said. Using electronic and scientific methods made possible through state-of-the-art equipment and proprietary computer software programs, the patent-pending automated system is capable of running continuously to produce more color formulations, allowing PPG to provide precise color formulas with operational efficiency. The result: quickly obtaining the right variant and formula the first time. The laboratory's capability also allows PPG to expand its data collection practices, better analyze automotive pigments and explore applicable color formulation opportunities as they occur.