Macro vision has to be on top of our minds

What technical developments could reduce the environmental impact of protective coatings?

João Luís Serrenho: Environmental impact should not only consider the production of the coating itself, but the whole life cycle of the protected asset. For example, better products with longer durability, even if sometimes solvent based, may reduce the environmental impact as they last longer and require fewer repairs and recoating. This is how we direct our macro vision in order to obtain the best solutions with the lowest environmental impact possible. As such, at CIN Performance Coatings, we take four main priorities towards protective coating development:

•  increased performance/durability of the coatings, contributing positively to the life cycle analysis of the asset.
• very high solids solvent-based or solvent-free coatings, in order to decrease the amount of VOCs while providing higher levels of protection.
• water-based coatings that are environmentally friendly, due to the absence of VOCs.
• “green”/bio-based raw materials, which can reduce the impact in the whole logistics chain.

Probably a smart combination of the above approaches is required overall, as none of them alone is likely to configure a “perfect solution”.

Where do you currently see the biggest growth potential for protective coatings in terms of region and application scenario?

João Luís Serrenho: In the long term one would expect a large portion of the growth to come from developing countries, but with the current geopolitical situation, it is hard to predict the near/medium term. Nevertheless, as long as steel is used in construction, it will need to be coated. Regions like Latin America or Africa, in which CIN Performance Coatings has a significative presence, have a higher potential for growth, but Europe has also some interesting infrastructure projects in development.

In terms of application scenarios, the protective coatings market is expected to see growth in the areas of corrosion protection, fire resistance, and abrasion resistance. The demand for protective coatings with low VOC (volatile organic compounds) and high durability is also expected to increase. It’s worth noting that the protective coatings market is highly dependent on the performance and cost-effectiveness of the coatings. Therefore, innovations in technology and materials can significantly impact the growth potential of the market in different regions and application scenarios.

This interview is part of the Expert Voice section with two voices on the topic.