Jeff Alexander, VP, Valspar Corp.
Today, coatings come in all colors, textures and patterns, and as companies continue to create innovative and technologically advanced solutions, it is no surprise the
foundation of their success stems from PVDF resin-based coatings. No matter what part of country you live in or what your
line of profession, chances are PVDF coatings are a part of your
life without you even knowing. From barns and storage sheds,
to arenas and skyscrapers, exterior metal paneling all throughout the world is clad with PVDF coating. So, what are PVDF
coatings and how have they become a staple in the industry?
A Brief History of PVDF Coatings
Originally introduced to the market in 1965, 70 percent PVDF
coatings have steadily become one of the most popular and
respected coil and extrusion coatings available on the market.
PVDF stands for polyvinylidene di;uoride, a ;uoropolymer res-
in and over the last half-century, no other architectural product
has more decisively stood the test of time than 70 percent PVDF
resin-based coatings. Continuous technological improvements
have contributed to the longevity of the coating, resulting in
additional formulations and practices for applications that have
distinct requirements.
Widely produced by various manufacturers, PVDF coatings
are also branded with an assortment of trademarked names.
This often makes it dif;cult for industry outsiders to tell coating manufacturers and resin manufacturers apart. Furthermore,
despite coatings from different manufacturers often containing
similar PVDF resins, the application and performance of the
paint systems can widely vary due to the proprietary formulations of each company. Two of the most widely recognized
brands of PVDF resins in the U.S. are Hylar by Solvay Solexis
and Kynar by Arkema Inc. Both offer comparable performance
per industry standards for weathering.
Leading coating manufacturers, including Valspar, continue to develop unique formulations that meet the growing
demands and creative applications of architects, developers
and construction companies. More recent innovations include
energy-ef;cient, solar-re;ective and color-changing coatings,
From Past to Present,
PVDF Coatings Remain a Leader
in the Architectural Paint Industry
PVDF coatings are used on a wide
variety of structures.
