HMG Paints Ltd, the Manchester, UK-based independent paint manufacturer, has joined the
EU funded PolyGraph Project that aims
to utilize the revolutionary properties of
graphene to develop pioneering materials
that are stronger, tougher and more flexible than ever before.
The PolyGraph project, which commenced in November 2013, aims to
develop materials suitable for use in a
number of key applications where improvements are needed in the strength,
stiffness, toughness, electrical conductivity and thermal and barrier properties of polymers; such as fiber-reinforced
composite resins, coatings and adhesives.
The ultimate aim of PolyGraph is to develop a process in which graphene can be
produced and dispersed “in-situ” within
thermosetting polymer resins, using relatively inexpensive expanded graphite as a
starting material.
“We’re proud to be working along-
side other industry leaders with a revo-
lutionary material that was developed in
our home city” said business develop-
ment director, Steve Crossman. “We’re
excited about developing graphene con-
taining coating formulations and the
production processes required to achieve
these formulations.”
The PolyGraph consortium has been
formed from key, knowledge-generating
industrially focused partners in each of
the disciplines required for a successful
outcome to the project. Looking at the
key objectives of the project, the consor-
tium makes up a strong team of organiza-
tions with exceptional expertise in each
of the required technical areas.
Dr. Matthew Thornton, project man-
ager at Lead Partner, NetComposites
said, “It is a pleasure to welcome HMG
Paints into the PolyGraph project con-
sortium. Their breadth of knowledge and
expertise in coatings will be an invalu-
able asset to ensuring that the project’s
aims and objectives are met and that the
project continues on course to deliver
commercial benefits for the aerospace,
automotive, marine and defence sectors,
amongst others.”
PolyGraph is a four year, EU funded,
collaborative research project com-
posed of 14 partners: NetComposites,
Imerys Graphite & Carbon, Avanzare
Innovacion Tecnologica, YTRON Process
Technology, University of Padova,
SAIREM, Robnor Resins, NETZSCH
Feinmahltechnik, Queen Mary University
of London, Centro Ricerche Fiat, BAE
Systems Advanced Technology Centre, SP
Sveriges Tekniska Forskningsinstitut, the
Institute of Occupational Medicine and
HMG Paints.
For more information, please visit the
website http://polygraphproject.eu/.
Axalta Expands Capabilities
to Supply Automotive
OEMs in India
Axalta Coating Systems is expanding
its presence in India with investments
that will enable the company to double
production capacity and construct an
automotive OEM coatings development
laboratory at its operations center in
Savli in Gujarat State. The added capac-
ity will enable Axalta to meet the need for
additional coatings among light vehicle
automotive original equipment manufac-
turers (OEMs) in India. The Savli facility
will continue to manufacture coatings for
Axalta’s refinish, automotive parts and
commercial vehicle customers.
The project, which is scheduled to
be commissioned in the third quarter of
2017, will be able to expand production capacity of both high and low temperature bake coatings. Low temperature
bake coatings are needed for use on the
latest lightweight plastic and composite
materials – used in vehicles to reduce
weight and fuel consumption – because
they cannot withstand traditional high
bake temperature curing ovens. Axalta’s
technology-backed products include
primers, basecoats, and clearcoats used
in the full line of Axalta’s solventborne
products for different substrate and process requirements. These products include Axalta’s higher productivity and
more environmentally responsible high
solids, high solids 3-Wet, and high solids
monocoat technologies. Formulated to
reduce volatile organic compound (VOC)
emissions, high solids coatings can help
reduce the environmental impact of coatings while providing superior finishes and
improved OEM productivity. The facility
will also be designed to scale up to produce waterborne coatings when customers elect to convert.
The new automotive OEM coatings
development laboratory is scheduled for
completion during the second quarter of
2016 and will focus on developing special formulations to ensure superior color
match, appearance and quality. Axalta’s
improved laboratory space will feature
contemporary robotic spray applicators
that can precisely replicate line application conditions inside customer manufacturing plants. The equipment is designed
to facilitate the development, approval,
quality control, and customer line support
HMG Joins Graphene Project, Polygraph
