Manager of Axalta-Huajia
Coatings. “Axalta-Huajia has
been committed to becoming a
leading powder manufacturer
and innovator, providing quality pow-
der coating solutions designed to meet
the needs of local and global markets.
Leveraging Axalta’s global product re-
sources we will continue to deliver finest
coatings solutions and offer better ser-
vices to our customers.”
Axalta is focusing on adding new in-
novative products to meet the growing
demand for high quality powder coating
solutions from customers worldwide. It
has launched several new coating prod-
ucts globally this year, including Alesta
ZeroZinc Prime NA, an epoxy resin-
based, zinc-free primer, and the Alesta
Global Color Collection, an architectural
powder coatings line.
PPG Aerospace Qualifies
Basecoat-Clearcoat Exterior
Topcoat Systems at Airbus
Basecoat-clearcoat exterior topcoat systems by PPG Industries’ aerospace coatings group have been qualified at Airbus
that offer appearance, production, operating and maintenance benefits.
High-solids DESOTHANE HD/
CA 9008 basecoat-clearcoat has been
qualified for application as a topcoat
system as well as with chromate-free
DESOPRIME CF/CA 7049 primer that
Airbus has long used. Also qualified is
the basecoat-clearcoat selectively strippable system with chromate-free F565
intermediate coat applied over the primer that facilitates repainting without removal of the primer.
Desothane HD/CA 9008 basecoat-clearcoat consists of a heavily pigmented basecoat that provides color with
less paint than conventional high-solids
paints and a clearcoat that extends service
life, improves buffability and achieves a
smoother, high-gloss surface that is easier
to clean.
PPG basecoat-clearcoat systems pro-
vide superior aesthetics, while weight
savings improve fuel economy and the
enhanced color and gloss retention helps
reduce maintenance to benefit airlines, ac-
cording to Dirk Thelen, PPG key account
director for Airbus programs and busi-
ness manager, EMEA (Europe, Middle
East and Africa) south region.
“We worked closely with Airbus to
demonstrate the productivity and appear-
ance advantages of the PPG basecoat-
clearcoat system,” Thelen said. “Airbus
wanted to offer its customers advanced
coatings technology that many airlines
already use in their own maintenance op-
erations. For airlines, having Airbus use
the same coatings system on new aircraft
that they use in maintenance is a signifi-
cant benefit.”
In the selectively strippable coatings
system with PPG basecoat-clearcoat,
F565 intermediate coating is applied over
the primer, and the basecoat-clearcoat
and intermediate coating are easily re-
moved during repainting, leaving the
primer intact. Desothane HD/CA 9008
basecoat-clearcoat and Desothane HD/
CA 9008 ultraviolet-resistant external
clearcoat also are qualified independently
at Airbus.
Desothane HD/CA 9008 basecoat-
clearcoat topcoat system used with or
without Desoprime CF/CA 7049 prim-
er as well as the selectively strippable
basecoat-clearcoat system are qualified
to AIMS 04-04-025, AIMS 04-04-033
and AIMS 04-04-037. Desothane HD/CA
9008 clearcoat is qualified to AIMS 04-
04-023 for independent application.
Desothane HD/CA 9008 basecoat-clearcoat is also part of a growing number of PPG Aerospace chromate-free
systems qualified to SAE International’s
Aerospace Material Specification 3095A
for airline exterior paint. Nearly 250 aircraft have been successfully painted with
PPG basecoat-clearcoat systems.
AkzoNobel “Let’s Colour”
Event Sees 450 Volunteers
Transform Rio Favela
The ongoing transformation of Rio de
Janeiro’s famous Santa Marta favela
continued when 450 volunteers from the
city took part in one of the biggest ever
“Let’s Colour” events to be staged by
AkzoNobel’s Decorative Paints business.
Organized as part of Rio’s 450th anni-
versary celebrations, the volunteers made
a huge contribution to a local project
which first began in 2010 and is a living
example of AkzoNobel’s commitment to
its Human Cities initiative.
So far, over 300 buildings in Santa
Marta have been redecorated with more
than 20,000 liters of Coral – AkzoNobel’s
paint brand in Brazil – helping to make
the community more inspiring and vi-
brant for everyone who lives there.
“We’re thrilled that so many volunteers
joined us to help revitalize this amazing
community,” said Jaap Kuiper, manag-
ing director of AkzoNobel’s Decorative
Paints business in Latin America. “It’s im-
portant that people feel proud of where
they live and with “Let’s Colour” we’re
inspiring people to become more con-
nected to their cities and communities.”
“Our global Human Cities initiative
and the work we’re doing in commu-
nities throughout Brazil are testament
to how we’re striving to make cities
around the world more liveable,” added
Ruud Joosten, member of the Executive
Committee responsible for Decorative
Paints. “It was great to see everyone get
involved with such enthusiasm in Santa
Marta, which is a perfect example of how
lives can be transformed through color.”
Due to be completed before the start
of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio,
the Santa Marta “Let’s Colour” project
will eventually involve painting more
than 600 buildings with products from
AkzoNobel’s Coral range.
HMG Paints Ltd.’s
Future Entrepreneurship
Partnership used as
Benchmark for Training
HMG Paints’ managing director, John
Falder, is looking to tap into the success of his company’s pioneering Future
Entrepreneurship Partnership and develop coordinated apprenticeship and
