Availability Extremely Tight across Powder Coating Raw Materials

What are the main trends in raw materials for powder coatings?

Robert Watson: Availability of raw materials generally in manufacturing industry supply chains has been adversely affected by the pandemic in the short- to mid-term, and powder coatings is no exception, with availability extremely tight across powder coating raw materials.

Aside from the supply chain, there are performance trends for polyesters, such as curing at lower temperatures and super-durable flexible polyesters. Additionally, there is a growing requirement to reduce and eliminate Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC), with a typical example being TMA-free polyesters.

There are performance trends for polyesters, such as curing at lower temperatures and super-durable flexible polyesters.

What are the challenges to lower the curing temperature in powder coatings?

Watson: Maintaining flow, appearance, and achieving sufficient cross-link density to maintain performance properties at lower cure temperatures. Performance, such as good storage-stability, safe charging-behavior, excellent flow, blooming-free, water-spot resistance and corrosion-resistance, must not be comprised.

In which sectors have you seen an increase in the popularity of powder coatings?

Watson: Interest is growing in the application of powder coatings onto thermally sensitive substrates, which drives the developments. Construction is seen as a means to move economic recovery from the pandemic, which drives up the use of powder coatings in metal building materials (such as aluminium extrusions and cladding), as well as in heavy construction equipment, which require higher-end weathering durability.

As regulatory polices tighten, there is growing pressure on solvent-borne coatings which is resulting in substitution by more environmentally friendly waterborne and powder coating technologies.