Nanotechnology Well-Received in Western European Coatings Industry
Currently the nanomaterials supply sector to the paint industry is divided between companies producing the basic, untreated nanomaterials and some opportunistic specialty chemical companies that have moved into the area of "treated nanomaterials" that offer paint manufacturers the advantage of reduced time-to-market for new products by making the materials more easily dispersible. The poor dispersability of nanomaterials is seen as one of the major hurdles to the development of the sector.
Paint manufacturers are optimistic about the many advantages and opportunities that nanomaterials represent and have a long wish list of objectives that they think may be solved by formulation with nanomaterials, such as scratch resistance, water repellency, UV protection, improved durability, and self-cleaning and antimicrobial properties.