increasing every year. Many of the OEMs
like the durability of powder in high-im-pact areas on earth-moving equipment,
for example. Additionally, the wire segment has potential for further powder
growth because, as the global demand for
wire grows, so does the demand to drive
costs down.
UUWhat technical requirements need
to be achieved for this?
Sante: To enter the light vehicle market, powder would most likely need to
deliver improved appearance for exterior coatings. For the heavy duty market,
where some powder technologies are
already currently used, the need for improved appearance and durability would
be needed. And for the wire market, powder solutions would need to be able to
sustain exposure to high voltage currents.
“Higher Operating Temperatures
are in Great Demand”
POWDER COATINGS ARE A VIABLE OPTION TO REDUCE COSTS AND MEET STRINGENT ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
Powder coatings still represent a
niche market in the global coatings industry. According to Bill Sante, global
director of marketing and business
development for powder coatings at
Axalta Coating Systems, it is possible
that powder will begin to become more
prevalent in segments where liquid is
the dominant solution, due to the demands of lower costs and tighter environmental regulations.
UUWhat functionalities do people
expect powder coatings to have nowadays?
Bill Sante: Customers expect powder
coatings to function in a wide operating environment – for example, temperature, relative humidity, confined
spaces – while maintaining a very tight
film-build specification. These demands
mean that powder technologies have to
be robust enough for application in any
region while delivering the same specifications and performance. Additionally,
higher operating temperatures are in
great demand due to the growing number of working environments that have
sustained higher temperatures and increased levels of pressure. This is prevalent in the pipeline segment within the
oil and gas sector, as well as any segment where large amounts of heat are
generated due to the proximity of an operating motor, oven or boiler.
UUIn what segments could powder
coatings emerge in the future?
Sante: Due to the demands of lower
costs and tighter environmental regulations, it is possible that powder will begin
to become more prevalent in segments
where liquid is the dominant solution. For
example, as more automotive OEM light
vehicles are manufactured and purchased
in emerging markets, the ability to drive
costs down will be imperative. Powder is
a viable option to reduce costs and meet
stringent environmental regulations while
also meeting anti-corrosive requirements
for exterior coatings. Powder may not currently be able to match the appearance
that liquid can offer in all applications;
but in developing regions, appearance
may not be as significant a factor in the
decision-making process as it is in mature
markets. We are seeing conversion from
liquid to powder in the heavy machinery
equipment sector as powder content is
Bill Sante,
Axalta Coating
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AMERICAN COATINGS SHOW
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