Automotive Sector Quick to Benefit From UV Curable Powder Coatings, Says Frost & Sullivan

    LONDON--July 16, 2001--The latest automotive application for UV curing is in the coating of engine components.
    This new market is being revolutionized by UV curable powder coatings, reports a new study from Frost & Sullivan, the international marketing consulting company.
    As Brian Balmer, Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan explains, "The UV curable powder coatings combine the benefits of conventional powder coatings with lower melting temperatures. This allows the automakers to coat pre-assembled components that contain heat sensitive parts which has not been possible before."
    Powder coatings have traditionally been used in the automotive sector for the protection of metal parts such as those found in the engine, transmission and drive systems. However, their high melt temperatures precluded their use on pre-assembled units which contain heat sensitive parts such as rubber O-rings and insulated electrical wires. The UV powder coatings create an opportunity for post assembly coating at temperatures as low as 100 degrees C.
    The total market for UV curable coatings in the automotive industry was valued at $38.9 million in 2000 and is predicted to grow at a rate of 6.4% per annum to reach over $60 million in 2007. The introduction of these new UV curable powder coatings will be the single most important market driver over this period.
    There are currently three key players in the market who are recognized powder coating specialists, for example DuPont. But, there is an indication that several other companies have spotted the potential and are now developing UV curable powder coatings -- and these may not be traditional powder coating companies. "Companies like Red Spot who are the most specialized producer of UV curable coatings for this market are in a prime position to enter this market," concludes Balmer.
    Frost & Sullivan is an international marketing consulting company that monitors a comprehensive spectrum of chemicals markets for trends, market measurements and strategies. This ongoing research is utilized to complement a series of research publications to support industry participants with customized consulting needs. Executive summaries of all Frost & Sullivan reports are available to the press.

    European UV Curable Coatings Market
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