powder coatings at Axalta Coating Systems. “Axalta estimates
that the market for powder in 2014 will yield mid-single digit
growth over 2013. We saw continued improvement in almost
all of the end-use segments as many industries that use powder
coatings continue to produce year-over-year growth.”
VOC regulations remain a key driver for the powder coat-
ings market. “Environmental regulations continue to drive
change in industrial coatings formulations, particularly the
requirement for solvents with lower or zero volatile organic
compounds (VOCs),” said Steve Kiefer, powder coatings busi-
ness director, North America, AkzoNobel. “Because powder
coatings do not contain any solvents, they are by definition
the most environmentally compliant and sustainable industrial
finishes, and we continue to see a switch from liquid coatings
to powder. As well as offering environmental benefits, powder
coatings also typically have a lower applied cost as well as
an improved performance profile compared to liquid coatings.
Powder coatings can also substitute other processes that may
involve the use of substances of concern. For example, our new
Interpon Cr powder coating is a sustainable and cost-effective
alternative for chrome plating.”
“Continued pressure with VOC regulations will benefit the
market,” said Joe Laehu, Valspar global industrial segment di-
rector. “Most environmental regulations requirements have al-
ready occurred. Continued innovation with powder coatings
will expand those market participation opportunities.”
“Stricter environmental regulations have most definitely
benefited the powder coatings market,” said Ron McMahon,
global market director, powder coatings, Sherwin-Williams
Product Finishes Group. “In North America, finishers that
may have reached their overall operational VOC limits using
liquid coatings have found that powder is a great alternative to
ensure they remain in compliance with a part of their environ-
mental regulations. In global markets such as China and the
remaining APAC countries and Eastern Europe – where envi-
ronmental regulations are becoming more stringent – powder
is being selected as the finish of choice as new lines are set up.
The environmental benefits include zero to very low VOCs;
reclamation and reuse of overspray; and waste that is generally
considered non-hazardous.”
McMahon reported positive growth in 2014 for powder
coatings. “As an industry, the rate of growth for powder glob-
ally has been seven to eight percent for the market overall,”
he added. “By 2018, it is expected that growth will be over
eight percent.”
Asia still remains the fastest growing region. “Because the
U.S. and European markets are more mature, major opportu-
nities to expand the overall powder market are limited,” said
Laehu. “However, with the new powder technologies being de-
veloped, there will be opportunities to use powder in ways that
have not been possible in the past. For example, Valspar Valde
EFC is a technology that allows powder to cure faster and at
lower temperatures than traditional powder solutions. This
low-cure technology breakthrough makes it possible to coat
large, non-uniform shapes with powder that would traditionally
be limited to liquid coatings technology. Because of this, manu-
facturers will benefit from the traditional benefits of powder
technology, like low-VOC formulations and durable protection,
as well as more efficient operations.”
Axalta sees the emerging markets as offering the best op-
portunity for growth. “More specifically, according to many
economic metrics, countries in Asia, such as China, India and
pockets of ASEAN, are generating impressive economic growth,”
said Sante. “For this reason, for example, we recently invested
to expand production capacity at two of our powder coating
plants in China that are part of the Axalta Huajia joint venture.”
Axalta’s newest powder coatings include three new prod-
ucts. Abcite thermoplastic powder coating is formulated for
toughness, durability and outstanding corrosion protection,
without the need of a primer. “Abcite’s properties are derived
from engineered polyolefin-based polymers combining tough-
ness, excellent adhesion to substrates and resistance to shock,”
said Sante. “Unlike thermosetting powder settings, Abcite sim-
ply melts onto a pre-heated surface. When cooled, adhesion,
appearance and physical properties are established without the
need for curing.”
Alesta ZeroZinc is Axalta’s latest next generation of zinc free
anticorrosion primers. The ZeroZinc family includes a “Steel
Primer” for ferrous substrates, an “Edge Primer” for steel and
aluminum substrates with sharp edges and an “Antigassing
Primer,” which offers a tailored solution for degassing substrates.
Nap-Gard High Tg 7-2555 is a next generation product
which can withstand continuous operating temperatures of
155°C (311°F). “It is a thermosetting epoxy powder designed
for use as a corrosion barrier coating for underground and sub-
sea pipelines that operate in high temperature service,” added
Sante. “It can be used as a corrosion coating in a stand-alone
or dual-powder coating system or as a corrosion coating under
multi-layer insulation systems. When used in conjunction with
Axalta’s most recent dual layer system Nap-Gard 7-2675, the
operating system increases to 180°C (356°F). The second layer
is designed to ensure reduced water permeability and improved
chemical resistance.”
AkzoNobel has launched a string of innovative products over
the past year. This includes Interpon Cr, which is intended as a
substitute for chrome plating in a number of interior applica-
tions. Interpon Cr, part of AkzoNobel’s Interpon powder coat-
ings range, combines a chrome-like finish with the performance
of a two-coat powder coating for applications such as furniture,
lighting and other interior fixtures. The unique combination of a
highly reflective base coat layer with a clear top coat also offers
outstanding resistance to finger marking, the company stated.
“We also launched Interpon Align, an innovative two-coat,
one-bake powder coating product that offers customers significant productivity and energy efficiency improvements and
can also result in lower capital investment,” said Kiefer. Utilizing
dry-on-dry coatings technology, Interpon Align delivers superior edge coverage and corrosion performance, while eliminating
one full cure cycle. The result is a shortened coating cycle leading to improved productivity and, in some cases, reduced capital
