Interview powder coatings: trend towards higher-end applications
Developments will be driven by the need to reduce energy demand, costs, and the carbon footprint. Our editor Kirsten Wrede spoke to Alessandro Vulcano, Global Sector Head Liquid Systems at Birla Carbon, Aditya Birla Group.
Powder coatings have been considered a niche segment for a long time. How do you rate their significance today?
Alessandro Vulcano: Powder coatings have continued their rapid growth throughout the last decade and significant improvements have been made in performance and application in recent years. I see a trend towards the use of powder coatings in higher-end applications, which will help the industry to improve profitability and to invest in additional capability and capacity. The need for more sustainable solutions in combination with a wider range of available circular raw materials should drive growth into a larger band of applications and end-uses. Powder coatings will support the goal of more eco-friendly solutions and will soon become a truly sustainable alternative to liquid systems.
What are the most interesting new developments in the field of powder coatings?
Vulcano: From what we are seeing, the most exciting developments are low-temperature curing systems for heat-sensitive substrates and UV-curing systems. Developments will be driven by the need to reduce energy demand, costs, and the carbon footprint. Advances in enabling technologies, such as UV cure, are meeting lower-energy-demand requirements aimed at broadening the variety of of substrates that can be coated with powder. Aside from the technology trends, I believe we will continue to see major investments in new capacity as producers position themselves in the race to lead the transformation from liquid to solid systems.
Where do you see further potential for powder coatings?
Vulcano: This technology has been adapted for application to coatings for both furniture and heavy-duty metal protection, and offers growth potential for battery coatings and thermal shielding applications. Growing production of electric vehicles might offer opportunities for underbody parts or even exterior application. Low-temperature curing systems will see a significant further expansion in the range of possible applications as well. The benefits of powder-coating surfaces are wide-ranging, and include eco-friendliness, sustainability, very good surface protection, cost efficiency and high pigment and filler loading.
