to invest in the development of high-solid low-VOC formula-
tions that will enhance the sustainability of liquid coatings for
generations to come.”
“Where we have the opportunity to best meet our customers’
performance and application needs with waterborne coatings,
we are using our PPG waterborne technology platform to of-
fer product solutions,” Bausch continued. “In both coil and in
some electronics applications, this is moving quickly. In devel-
oping regions, where we and our customers are not constrained
by current application lines, powder coatings offer another
substitute to solvent-based coatings. We are seeing this as a
strong trend in Southeast Asia. And finally, E-Coat technology
is also an alternative to the challenges of solvent-based coatings.
Obviously this depends on the segment, the substrate, and the
design of the parts to be coated, but we are finding applications
that historically have not used e-coat, such as pipe or containers,
are now interested and working with us to develop and execute
a change to this technology. “
New Products
AkzoNobel recently launched a range of Chartek fire protection
coatings for the oil and gas sector that offer self-reinforced fire
protection. This provides weight-savings advantages coupled
with faster application.
Axalta Coating Systems recently launched AquaEC 6100
electrocoat coatings designed to improve customer’s productiv-
ity and reduce application costs. “The AquaEC range of electro-
coat primers use patented epoxy-based technology to provide
superior corrosion resistance with excellent throw power and
improved edge protection,” said Cash. “This tin-free technology
used in AquaEC 6100, now available globally, also helps meet
environmental goals. The U.S.-made AquaEC 6100 E-Coat also
received Caterpillar approval to their specification 1E2732F.
Towards the end of last year, we introduced a non-acidic and
formaldehyde-free Voltatex electrical steel varnish formulated
to reduce costly shutdown periods during maintenance inspec-
tions, increasing our customer’s efficiency. In the architectural
segment we’ve experienced great success in the launch of our
Alesta Anti-Graffiti outdoor powder coatings, where our cus-
tomers experienced outstanding exterior durability due to the
excellent chemical resistance, UV weathering and film hardness
of the coating. Its weather and chemical resistance makes it an
ideal protective coating for finishes exposed to graffiti as well as
extreme conditions such as dirt and smog. Axalta is also pleased
to announce the release of the Nap-Gard 7-2500 series, which
brings industry recognized FBE powder coatings into one group
and expands the benefits of our thermosetting epoxy powder for
onshore and offshore oil and gas pipelines.”
Sherwin-Williasm recently launched KEM NISO 8510 sys-
tem, a high-durability isocyanate-free topcoat system with an
ambient cure of 15 minutes and Polane D 8700 coating, which
provides the high durability of a urethane in a single direct-to-
metal step. “Our newest powder offering is our patent pend-
ing introduction of the Powdura OneCuresystem, a two-coat
powder system, applied in a single bake cycle, allowing for the
combination of multiple chemistry layers. This allows finishers
to reduce energy use, labor and maintenance costs while increas-
ing throughput,” Zelch noted.
Hempel recently launched Hempadur 4774D, a product for
the wind power industry. “Hempadur 4774D allows wind tow-
er manufacturers to reduce their coating schemes from three to
two layers, hence reducing throughput time in their manufac-
turing process, while maintaining excellent corrosion protection
properties,” said Møller.
“Hempel is also redefining anti-corrosion with the continu-
ing expansion of our Avantguard range of protective zinc epoxy
primers,” Møller added. “Based on activated zinc technology,
our patented Hempadur Avantguard coatings have been proven
to deliver significantly higher galvanic corrosion protection than
zinc epoxies without activated zinc technology. The unique for-
mulation also enhances the coatings’ mechanical strength and
offers greater working tolerances, to set a new standard for pro-
tection in tough C4 and C5 corrosive conditions.”
PPG has several new products in the pipeline.
DRAGONHIDE ZRE primer is a zinc-rich primer for the
automotive market with a proprietary “self-healing” technol-
ogy that makes underbody parts for cars more corrosion- and
impact-resistant.
There are also SPECTRACRO SPU conductive and non-
conductive urethane primers. These are the first liquid primers
that can be applied over multiple plastic substrates, including
METTON-type and sheet-molded composite plastics. “That
fulfills one of the goals I mentioned earlier, which is to help
customers streamline their quality control and production pro-
cess,” said Bausch. “Last year, we launched POWERCRON
ADVANTEDGE electrocoat, featuring a heavy-metal-free cata-
lyst technology. This product was originally formulated to help
the customer achieve REACH compliance in Europe, but now
that it is out in the field, we’re realizing that it is helping them
to achieve some other amazing environmental benefits as well.
We’ll be announcing more about that soon.”
In Southeast Asia, PPG recently launched a new waterborne coil coating technology in the building and construction segment. “The development of this product line was
in collaboration with a key customer and resulted in a differentiated, environmentally friendly solution with increased
throughput and productivity on line,” said Bausch. “In addition, collaboration with the customer on this innovation
accelerated the product development time significantly. In
the electronic materials market, we launched VELVECRON
SR (stain-resistant) coating, a clear two-component urethane
topcoat. Based on proprietary PPG resin and coatings technologies, Velvecron SR coating is designed to unite a soft,
luxurious feel with unparalleled stain resistance for plastic
and mixed-material finishes. Although this product was
developed initially for electronic materials, we expect to leverage this technology across other segments that value stain-resistance, such as athletic equipment, appliances, automotive
parts and accessories, game consoles, furniture, display products and more.” CW
