AMSTERDAM — In the face of on-going uncertainty in global PVDF (or polyvinylidene difluoride) supply chains, AkzoNobel has launched a campaign to help its partners navigate the changing PVDF landscape.

Changes in global market dynamics, including increased demand from markets such as electric vehicle batteries and solar panels, have led to interruptions in the supply of PVDF resin commonly used in coil coatings. This, in turn, has affected the availability of some PVDF-containing products.

AkzoNobel has produced a suite of tools and information to help its partners and end-users respond to these challenges. The aim is to help partners gain a full understanding of the PVDF situation and enable them to make more informed decisions about the best solutions for their specific circumstances.

Spearheading the campaign is a series of informative Q&A videos with in-house specialists. The series kicks off with a video featuring Tamara Toth, Regional Product Marketing Manager for Coil & Extrusion Coatings North America, and Bo Matzner, Global Product Marketing Director for Coil & Extrusion Coatings, talking about PVDF technology, the changing market in 2022, and how AkzoNobel can help its customers.

AkzoNobel reports that more videos will be released over the next few weeks exploring a range of PVDF-related topics, including the importance of PVDF in applications and testing, and alternative products on the market. The videos can be found on the coil and extrusion website, YouTube channel, and Canopy app. They will also be featured on the coil and extrusion LinkedIn and Facebook pages.

“The robust versatility of PVDF means it is in high demand. This has squeezed supplies to the metal coatings industry, as well as pushed up prices. We want to support our customers in responding to these challenges by helping them understand the context and, where necessary, find new solutions,” explains Bo Matzner, Global Product Marketing Director, Coil and Extrusion Coatings at AkzoNobel.

In many cases, Matzner said, AkzoNobel offers a non-PVDF equivalent or similar product delivering the same quality required. At the same time, its research and development team, with decades of experience in the coil and extrusion coatings industry, is working to develop new offerings.

“We are well aware of the PVDF landscape and the concerns this may raise for some of our partners. Our advice is: talk to us,” said Bo Matzner. “Our specialists can provide expert advice and guidance to help partners navigate the changing PVDF picture and find solutions that work for their business.”