When producing colorants for the coatings and thermosets industries, quality control and color matching are critical. As a result, working with a company that has its own software development team and an innovative family of programs can ensure that you not only receive a consistent product but also service that can save you time and money.
Does it make sense to set up a point-of-sale (POS) tinting system in an industrial coatings plant? If the manufacturer only sells 10 colors in one or two bases, then probably not. If a company’s palette features 20 or more colors, and three or more bases are tinted, the answer is maybe, depending on the costs involved in setting up the system versus the benefits of moving to POS tinting.
Big data can help forecast in which direction a market is moving, give companies an edge over their competitors and even improve operational efficiency by harnessing large volumes of data that traditional business systems cannot handle. By incorporating big data, the paint and coatings industry can focus on current demands and get insight into possible market movements of where the industry is headed and what consumers want.
Concrete is used in many parts of a commercial building, from the interior walls and floors to the exterior sidewalks and patios. While all concrete coatings have stringent performance and durability requirements, commercial flooring, in particular, also uses colorants to create distinct, corporate-branded environments. Not only must floor coatings withstand heavy foot traffic, repel spills and stains, and, most important, be slip-resistant, they must also match the company’s exact color specifications.
Industrial coatings cover a wide variety of applications – from the automotive and marine to oil and gas equipment to the spray paint used to repaint your mailbox. They all share one common bond: the coating and color must hold up.
Decorative concrete, which provides aesthetic value to concrete surfaces, is becoming increasingly popular. It can be made to look like any type of stone product, from flagstone to slate to bricks. Decorative concrete is also considerably less expensive to install than the materials it replaces, and it requires less maintenance and upkeep. Because decorative concrete mimics natural products, it requires colorants to achieve that natural look. In the past, this was done using dry pigments, which were mixed into the concrete or sprinkled on top as a surface treatment. Today, however, the trend is moving toward using liquid colorants.
With the recent upswing in new construction and renovations, the demand for architectural coatings is rising, as well. Whether for new commercial space or home remodels, coatings users, specifiers and applicators are squeezed for time and resources.
Inspired by their recent family vacation to the beach, a couple paints their bathroom a rich blue color with deep undertones reminiscent of the ocean on a clear day. The paint contrasts perfectly with their white cabinetry and molding and looks great until the next day after a hot, steamy shower when they notice brown streaks dotted with unsightly splotches cascading down their walls.
Have you ever seen a polyester or fiberglass-reinforced compound sit outdoors for months or years on end? It isn’t pretty.
You have seen the fading swimming pool your neighbor’s yard. Or the eyesore of a plastic shed that’s been battered by sunlight and rain for a decade. Or the orange ladder that has faded to nearly white.
What is driving the use of point-of-sale tinting systems for industrial coatings
IR reflective technology expands color options and reduces costs for residential and commercial buildings
How the country is encouraging low-VOC options for industrial paints and coatings
