The major trends in the global coatings industry revolve around environmental concerns and the reduction of VOC emissions, reducing energy costs, improving productivity and improving performance. These four factors are driving companies across all segments of the coatings industry to look for alternative coatings technology. As a result, radiation curable coatings represent the fastest growing coatings segment because they offer numerous advantages including rapid curing process, less scrap, small footprint, less work in process, a reduction in utility usage, reduction in VOCs and improved performance.
"Ultraviolet (UV) and electron beam (EB) coatings have tremendous environmental advantages over solvent-based finishes. The local air regulators along with the EPA continue to tighten emissions standards, which drives business either to areas of lesser regulation or to more compliant coatings," said Don Hart of Mid America Protective Coatings. "UV/EB coatings are easy to recycle since they do not dry until they are exposed to UV light or EB radiation.