Coatings World - March 2013

DuPont Performance
Coatings Sold to
The Carlyle Group

In this issue, we take a look at the recent sale of DuPont Performance Coatings to global alternative asset manager, The Carlyle Group. The deal, worth some $4.9 billion, came about as DuPont announced plans to focus on the life sciences as its core business. The new company, renamed Axalta Coating Systems, provides coatings and application tools to the automobile refinish and OEM markets. Coatings World had the opportunity to interview the new leadership team at Axalta (page 54) and find out the company’s long-term plans.

Our European correspondent Sean Milmo also delves into this major acquisition in his article on Europe’s OEM coatings market, beginning on page 28. According to Milmo, squeezed profitability is thought to have been a major reason why DuPont decided to pull out of the segment.

Germany Here We Come

As this issue goes to press, we are gearing up for the European Coatings Show (ECS) in Nürnberg March 17-19. Be sure to check out our European Coatings Show Exhibitor’s Showcase, beginning on page 58. If you are planning on attending the ECS, the showcase will help you plan your visit. If you can’t make it to the show, the preview will give you a glimpse of the latest offerings from the leading suppliers to the paint and coatings industry. Also be sure to sign up on our website, www.coatingsworld.com, to receive our daily Live from the Show Floor e-mail blasts.

kpianoforte@rodpub.com

6 | Coatings World
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