Beckers, Berlin, Germany, has developed the first commercial paint formulations for dual ultraviolet and electron beam curing in the oil coating market. The technologies can reduce VOC and CO2 emissions and enhance efficiency in the industry by providing up to twice the surface coverage per kilogram of paint.
The European Coil Coating Association (ECCA) considers ultraviolet (UV) and electron beam (EB) curing technology to be the most significant game-changer in terms of decarbonization of the coil coating industry.
Until now, the only available industrial application of radiation curing in coil coating has been EB irradiation used for packaging material.
Long-term collaboration between Beckers and one of its customers has led to the first full-scale application of advanced dual UV/EB curing technology in coil coating for the building industry. Building accounts for 72% of the global coil coatings market.
Beckers has been involved in adapting the use of UV/EB curing technology in the coil coating industry and developing the necessary paint formulations since 2005. Today, the company is actively developing UV/EB solutions with coil coating customers around the world – with some now in the process of gearing up to go to market.
The team has demonstrated that UV/EB curing has significant potential to reduce the CO2 footprint of coil coating, due to it requiring less paint and energy in the curing process.
Beckers is currently constructing a new two-story purpose-built Sustainable Innovation Centre in Liverpool (UK), which will have a significant focus on developing the next generation of UV/EB solutions.
For more information, visit www.beckers-group.com.
