Sustainable Powder Coating for Wood and Plasterboard Substrates
Paints and coatings are a large contributor to pollution and reduced indoor air quality because they are typically water- or solvent-based products that emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) during application, drying and clean up.
Powder coating is referred to as a 100% solid coating system, which means no solvents/water are used to carry the pigments, resigns etc. The upside is less waste with low or nil VOC’s emitted into the atmosphere. This sustainable advantage is driving the adoption of powder coating in countries like Germany, where legislation has been in place to reduce airborne pollution caused by VOC’s from paint related industries e.g. car and furniture manufacturing. BMW and Audi’s made in Germany now have a powder coat clear finish, instead of the traditional liquid based finishes.
Auckland based Climate Surfaces, after 10 years of development and operations, is a global leader in commercially powder coating non-metal substrates, such as MDF, Plywood and Plasterboard. Powder coating on these substrates provides cost, performance and aesthetic benefits as well as a more sustainable coating solution compared to liquid or PVC based coatings. PPG Industries manufacture a specialised low cure powder for Climate, which is applied electrostaically and thermally cured to the substrate in a state of art factory environment. No water or solvents are used in the process or materials and up to 95% powder utilisation is possible with any waste powder being reclaimed and reused.
Climate is poised to deliver greater advances in powder coating technology for a range of building product substrates, which will provide a more sustainable alternative without compromise on cost, performance and aesthetics.