Low curing temperature and energy efficient powder coatings
Worldwide demand for powder coatings has increased over the last few decades based on their excellent durability and finish, easy application and low environmental impact. Thermosetting powder coatings cure between 180ºC-200ºC and need beyond 20 minutes curing depending on the resin and cross linker used. Its application takes place in big ovens (2x7m2) and the energy consumed during the curing process represents nowadays 50% of the total operational costs of the applicators, which are either coating enterprises or directly product manufacturers (OEMs). A major challenge for powder coating manufacturers is therefore to offer their customers more energy-efficient products by reducing the polymerization temperature and increasing the speed of the reaction. PulverCoat is a new generation of advanced thermosetting powder coatings that polymerize at lower temperature (110ºC-130°C) with a reaction mechanism 10 times faster than common powder coatings, enabling curing to take place in just 3-5 minutes. The use of PulverCoat will therefore significantly improve the energetic yield of the application process, representing a total energy saving between 40 – 70% depending on the dimension of the painted part and, consequently, reducing the financial and environmental impact of this operation. Furthermore, this low curing temperature range enables its use for coating heat sensitive substrates, like wood and plastic. Moreover, our new generation of advanced powder coatings has shown additional advantages, such as improved, outstanding resistance to UV radiation (50% better than common polyesters), and excellent anti-graffiti properties thanks to its dense net of amino bonds grants. The PULVERCOAT project is expected have a significant impact on our company, PUVERIT: forecasted sales in 2025 will render revenues of €45.9 million, and a total of 90 new jobs will be created in the first five years of commercialization.