Coatings World - November 2014

by Sean Milmo European Correspondent milmocw@rodmanmedia.com

The dispersions segment is continu- ing to be one of the most active in the European coatings sector in the development of new technologies as well as investing in mergers and acquisitions and expansions in production capacity.

Demand for dispersions additives has been growing faster than the coatings market itself. Coatings producers want more effective dispersions to reduce resins and pigments costs.

Also, efficient dispersions help coatings manufacturers to comply with tighter European environmental regulations, especially in areas like emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Another driving force is the rising need among coatings manufacturers for more individualized products to meet the specific needs of their customers.

One of the best ways to provide tailor-made coatings is to reformulate dispersions. This is an increasing trend in Europe among SME coating manufacturers and specialist dispersion producers whose market strategy is to respond quickly to new requirements in the market.

This has divided the European dispersions segment into large players, including big dedicated dispersion and dispersion agent producers and multinational coatings producers often backward integrated into raw materials, and SMEs with a more sharply targeted approach.

In the process of developing more effective technologies, dispersion producers have had to gradually extend the scope of their operations further downstream.