The Future for Powder Coating

Question:

I spent time reading the information on the PF Online concerning powder coatings. I learned a lot of interesting information, but I really want to know more about the powder coating market. What are the future trends for powder coatings? Which applications use powder coatings? Where can I find this information? S. S.

Answer:

There was a rock song that comes to mind, which had the following words “The future is so bright I have to wear shades.” The same could be said for the powder coating industry, at least looking worldwide. The North American market, however, is still having some trouble believing in, and making investments in manufacturing, which has slowed the pace of growth for the powder coating market.

Future trends for powder coating are in coating temperature sensitive substrates using UV cure or low-temperature cure powders. Quick color change and fast curing systems are the hot trends for equipment in powder coatings.

I recommend that you read an article that I wrote for the annual Products Finishing Directory and Technology Guide (www.pfonline.com/articles/pfd0329.html) that dispels the myths of powder coatings due to the new materials and equipment improvements for more information on this topic.

There are several marketing firms in the coatings industry that produce market studies on powder coatings. These are available for a fee. I recommend that you contact one of these (I am sure that they are listed on the Internet) for some information. Finally, The Powder Coating Institute in Alexandria, Virginia has some information, newsletters, and marketing data on the North American market that may also interest you.