Coating the Blues of the Architectural Market with Challenges
The U.S. architectural paint industry, barely inching along in a slumping economy, is singing the blues
Few paint makers are taking solace in the fact that the architectural paint market is somewhat recession-proof because remodeling occurs even when the economy turns sour. Paint companies have been able to abide by the 1999 National Rule for Architectural Coatings from the EPA. However, they are seeing stricter air quality standards from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and shuddering at their potential adoption by the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC), which regulates air pollution limits for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Many coating manufacturers who may be considering expanding into new markets are having second thoughts about undergoing more reformulation, developing new compliant labels, and dealing with other regulations, such as waste disposal.