As the 1990s come to a close, the U.S. powder coating industry continues to grow at more than 10% each year.1 The environmental advantages powder holds over conventional coatings continue to be amplified, as the costs of regulatory compliance continue to increase for metal finishers. Perhaps just as importantly, raw-material suppliers have continued to develop novel materials, thereby allowing powder coatings to compete in market niches, previously the exclusive domain of liquid coating technology. Two examples are so-called low-temperature and UV-curable powders for use on thermally sensitive substrates.
Another niche area in powder technology is that of matte finish powders. Matte powder coatings are popular due to their excellent physical and aesthetic properties. They can hide defects or irregularities in metal surfaces, and add value to consumer products. Applications for these powders include lighting fixtures, automotive trim parts, lawn furniture and architectural extrusions.