The Demand for Durable Paint
Durability remains a key characteristic of decorative coatings attributed to the growing demand for products that last longer, maintain a higher performance, and keep their appearance for longer with less maintenance.
Architectural paint and coatings
The durability trend is particularly evident among architectural paints and coatings applied to the interior and exterior surfaces of residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings, driven by an increase in construction and renovation.
Durability in such applications, including resistance to daily wear and tear, stains, dirt, mildew, and enhanced washability, is a key consideration among today's end-users, specifiers, and facility directors. This is especially true for demanding spaces like schools, hospitals, hotels, and industrial facilities. Similarly, high-humidity environments such as wet rooms, swimming pools, and leisure centers are susceptible to mold growth, resulting in the staining, peeling, blistering, and rotting of paint and coating finishes.
In addition, the construction industry’s continued commitment to designing more sustainable buildings has also seen a growing number of businesses working on projects that require LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification to which paint and coatings can contribute up to 27% of the points needed to achieve LEED v4 certification. This has ultimately increased demand and opportunities for durable paint, as well as low VOC paints and coatings, across all types of buildings to produce a healthier indoor environment. This is further supported by new rules and regulations such as the Eco-product Certification Scheme (ECS) set by the European Commission and other Federal Government agencies to drive development towards a sustainable environment with minimal or zero harmful VOC emissions.
Automotive
With today's technologies, we can choose from an array of colors and finishes when it comes to cars, vans, and even trucks. From solid colors to metallics, automotive paint serves both decorative and functional means, providing additional durability and protection to the vehicle’s body against the elements.
According to ResearchandMarkets, the Global Automotive OEM Coatings market size was valued at $7.23 billion in 2021 and is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% and 7.0% from 2022 to 2030.
In light of the pandemic, 54% of car shoppers are willing to pay more for antimicrobial coatings in their cars, with door handles and dashboard touchpoints, in particular, being favored. Antimicrobial technologies built-in to the car’s interior surfaces help to maintain a cleaner, fresher cabin, in-between cleanings and offer additional surface protection against harmful microbes.
Antimicrobial car treatments work by disrupting the vital life processes of contaminating microbes, meaning they cannot grow or reproduce on the treated surface.
Trends & Innovations in Paint Technology
With rising demands for quality and performance, here are the industry trends and innovations in paint technology to watch in 2022:
Improved indoor air quality and odor-elimination
Improving indoor air quality is a major consideration amongst building professionals and building occupants, most notably in the education and healthcare sector. There are many pollutants in the air - including volatile organic compounds (VOC) and formaldehyde - which are naturally emitted from paint, varnishes, furniture, carpets, cleaning products, and other building materials.
As a result, Building Regulations and Governments are increasing encouragement to achieve healthy indoor environments through building and equipment specification to internal finishes, paving way for low-VOC paint. This is a form of paint that contains fewer VOC or VOC solvents than traditional coatings.
Enhanced resistance to mold and mildew on the surface
Moisture and humidity create a breeding ground for mold and mildew to thrive, commonly seen in bathrooms, wet rooms, and kitchens. In response, consumers are demanding more durable products with high performance against mold and bacterial growth.
This is where mold-resistant paint comes in. Designed with antimicrobial technology, the paint inhibits the growth of mold and mildew on painted surfaces. The built-in formulation works 24/7 for the expected lifetime of the product, helping the surface paint to stay hygienically cleaner, fresher, and more durable.
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Trends and Innovations in Coatings
Demand for coatings remained strong across a variety of segments despite the challenges of the ongoing pandemic. The push for innovation in the industry will continue to revolve around four themes centered on functionality:
Durability
Consumers today expect durable products that retain their quality for a longer period of time, driving the demand for more robust coating solutions and influencing technology developments.
The durability of the coating largely depends on the application and environmental conditions under which it must perform. For example, exterior coating applications may be susceptible to weathering and corrosion. Sunlight, heat, and moisture can cause blistering, swelling, and cracking, leading to deterioration of the coating's surface over time. As a result, durability for exterior coating applications is often determined by color and gloss retention as well as resistance to weathering.
Regulatory
Increasingly strict environmental regulations and growing consumer expectations for more sustainable products continue to create challenges for coatings manufacturers.
The question arises for manufacturers about how to replace chemicals that face regulatory challenges. In general, the market is seeking better health and wellness solutions as seen in China where regulations regulating a reduction in VOC emissions are driving a variety of changes.
Sustainability
The topic of sustainability continues to be a top priority amongst paints and coatings manufacturers, customers, and end-users.
In addition to reducing VOCs and the elimination of toxic ingredients to develop more sustainable coatings, energy and resource conservation, waste management, use of renewable materials, and length of service life are all elements for consideration.
Antimicrobials
The strong desire for antimicrobial performance is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of consumer cleanliness concerns. According to Marketwatch, the global antimicrobial coatings market is forecast to grow to US $9.12 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2030.
Applicable for water-based, solvent-based, high solids, and powder coatings, coatings with antimicrobial properties work to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew. The result is an end-product that stays cleaner and fresher for longer, in-between cleanings, reducing the need for harsh cleaning chemicals that could lead to abrasions, fading, and discoloration. Common product applications for antimicrobial coatings include medical devices & equipment, touchscreen kiosks & electronic devices, transportation, building & construction, and HVAC systems.
Contact Us For More Information
As the industry leader in antimicrobial solutions, Microban technologies can be seamlessly integrated into a range of coating applications without disrupting the desired look, feel, or functionality. Contact a member of the Microban team today for more information.
Watch the video below to hear from Microban’s in-house coating expert, James Rapley, on the journey to identifying the right antimicrobial coating solution.