What is productivity for you? Higher-line speed? Faster curing? Faster return to service? Faster batch processing? Whatever it is, we have the raw materials and formulations to increase the drying speed of your coatings!
Productivity is commonly defined as the ratio between output and input.
In industrial and floor coatings more productivity means faster production or faster application and cure.
Even though a target for many, this topic has been a concern for coating producers and applicators. As the backlog of maintenance jobs is increasing, the demand for paint contractors and labour shortages are constraining their ability to satisfy that demand.
Let’s look into the facts of productivity:
Global infrastructure spending is estimated to grow up to 94 trillion USD until 2040 [1]
Between 2016 and 2040 the infrastructure spending outlook is estimated to be 94 trillion USD, averaging 3.7 trillion USD per year 1.
In 2020, 2,551 infrastructure projects were announced, totalling 739 billion USD. In order North America (22.67%), Western Europe (18.40%), Southeast Asia (11.92), South America (7.89%), and Australasia (7.35%)2.
In the United States, the US Government has introduced a ‘build back scheme’ of more than 1 trillion USD at the end of 20213. In Asia, a similar trend has been observed with the Malaysian government announcing its RM260 billion People-Centric Economic Stimulus Package (PRIHATIN) in March 20204.
The increased infrastructure spending will further drive the demand for coatings.
Strong need for vehicles will drive the demand for OEM paint
The total revenue for the automotive industry is projected to reach 8.9 trillion USD by 2030, an increase of 68% since 2017, driven by strong demand for vehicles5. Additionally, the middle class will grow to 4.9 trillion people in the next 10 years which will contribute to increased spending. In parallel, both these factors will drive the demand for OEM paint6.
61% of owner-operators expect new projects to be delayed or put indefinitely on hold
These are operators of factories, mines, refineries and public, telecommunications and utility infrastructure organizations. The main reason behind it is the COVID-19 pandemic 7. At the same time, 35 % of engineering, procurement and construction service providers indicated likely adjustments on the scope of ongoing projects7.
Typical ways of increasing productivity
Production Process
Faster batch processing time by using:
● Easier to disperse pigments
● Liquid pigment pastes
● Pre-dispersed fumed silica
● Liquid Thixotropes
Application Process
Reduce layers per application process by:
● Applying thicker films using formulations with much higher solids content
Curing Process
Faster drying speed of each layer by using:
● Faster physical drying binders
● Faster crosslinking curing agents
● Catalysts in higher dosage
● Forced curing
Several raw materials serve to increase productivity
Discover what technologies to use and what tests we run at our laboratories to create fast formulations.
Stir-in pigment preparation
Switching from standard pigments to Stir-in Pigment Preparations to have easier incorporation and shorter and less intensive dispersion process with a high degree of flexibility and without undesired formulation raw materials.
Pre-dispersed fumed silica
Switching from powder Fumed Silica to pre-dispersed Fumed Silica for much easier handling and without the need to pre-disperse the silica beforehand and thus to save time and energy in production.
Silane modified polymers
Switch from alkyd resins or acrylic emulsions to solvent-free silane modified polymers to achieve faster curing and better mechanical, chemical and corrosion resistance in 1K air drying industrial coatings.
Special epoxy curing agents
Using special epoxy curing agents for fast curing and at the same time better chemical resistance for industrial and floor coatings.
Polyaspartics resins
Switching from 2K polyurethane topcoats to fast curing polyaspartics with very high solids content to reduce the number of coats needed while maintaining corrosion resistance, reducing VOC and increasing drying speed.
Epoxy-siloxanes
Moving from an amine-based curing agent to epoxy-siloxane
helps reducing the number of coats needed while maintaining high corrosion resistance and outstanding weathering stability.
Unlock these benefits
Faster curing
Increase the curing speed to achieve faster return to service, outdoor or stack storage without damage.
Curing temperature reduction
Use the right technology and increase the curing speed by reducing the energy required.
Faster batch processing
Incorporate easier and reduce post batch adjustment to achieve output increase and energy saving.
Layer reduction
Reduce the number of layers necessary to achieve the right performance. Save time and money in your coating application.
References
1 Oxford Economics
2 Refinitiv
3 CNBN
4 Deloitte
5Statista
6 McKinsey
7Accenture