Restrictions on VOC Emissions Keep Demand for Conventional High Performance Anti-Corrosion Coatings in Check, Drive Innovations

The market for high performance anti-corrosion coatings comprises a vast array of materials that are used on concrete, metals and other structures to protect their surfaces from the damage that corrosive environments can cause. These enhanced protective coatings are also sometimes called heavy-duty coatings owing to their features such as excellent resistance to moisture and heat, durability, high adhesion on substrates, and good gloss retention. The use of high performance anti-corrosion coatings is indispensable for protecting surfaces that are vulnerable to the effects of corrosion and rust and are prone to deterioration in harsh environments.

High-performance anticorrosion coatings find applications across chemical plants, paper and pulp mills, oil refineries, the marine industry, and many other industries for protection or industrial maintenance of structures such as pipes, tanks, and processing equipment. A recent market research report published by Transparency Market Research examines the global high-performance anticorrosion coatings market and analyzes the factors that are influencing the development of the market. The report states that the market will exhibit a moderate 4.8% CAGR from 2015 through 2023.

Despite the high applicability of these coatings, the key factors holding back the market and how they are changing the market’s growth dynamics are addressed by TMR analysts in this blog post.

Q. What are the major restraints to the market’s growth?

Strict government regulations pertaining to volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions is one of the chief factors restraining the expansion of the global high performance anti-corrosion coatings market. A majority of the conventional high performance anti-corrosion coatings are made from petrochemical-derived raw materials. Historically, all resin types used in high performance anti-corrosion coatings used petroleum solvents. These solvent-borne coatings have high VOC content and are being scrutinized for the harm they cause to human and environmental health. To comply with the strict emission control guidelines, high performance anti-corrosion coatings manufacturers are focusing on the development of bio-based raw materials and waterborne coatings.

Q. What are the other major trends in the global high performance anti-corrosion coatings market?

The high performance anti-corrosion coatings market is also becoming more resistant to the use of heavy metal-based corrosion inhibitors in their products. Until a few years back, heavy metal-based corrosion inhibitors were widely accepted owing to the excellent corrosion protection capability granted by a variety of heavy metal pigments to high performance anti-corrosion coatings. Regulations pertaining to occupational safety of employees are increasingly putting pressure on companies to replace barium, chromium, zinc, and many other heavy metals with eco-friendly alternatives. This has led to a significant rise in research aimed at the development of effective anti-corrosion elements in the high performance anti-corrosion coatings market.

Research Press Release: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/high-performance-anticorrosion-coatings-market.htm

Q. What developments have been observed on the front of bio-based coatings? 

The segment of epoxy resins-based coatings, which currently have a share of nearly 55% of the global high performance anti-corrosion coatings market, is expected to drive shift of the market to bio-based products. Researchers have formulated efficient ways of manufacturing epoxy resins with the help of bio-based raw materials such as natural oils, natural phenol compounds such as lignin and tannin, and carbohydrates. Though most commercially available bio-based resins have only up to a maximum of 50% biodegradable substances, further research will lead to a significant rise in this percentage in the coming years.

Emission Control Regulations Lead to Increased Focus on Development of Biobased High Performance Anti-corrosion Coatings

High performance anti-corrosion coatings are a variety of enhanced protective coatings used for protecting concrete and metal structures from damage caused by exposure to corrosive surroundings. Owing to attributes such as durability, good gloss retention, better resistance to heat and moisture, and excellent adhesion on substrates, high performance anti-corrosion coatings are also sometimes called heavy-duty coatings.

These coatings find primary usage in paper and pulp mills, oil and gas production and processing plants, power generation plants, chemical processing plants, and construction sites. High performance anti-corrosion coatings are also used to protect pipes, ships, and other structures commonly used in marine surroundings.

Stringent Emission Regulations Lead to Increased Interest in Biobased Coatings

Currently, high performance anti-corrosion coatings are manufactured primarily from petrochemical-derived raw materials. Coating resins such as acrylic, epoxy, urethane, ethyl silicate, alkyd, polyester, and vinyl are the key products used in the manufacture of high performance anti-corrosion coatings.

Epoxy resins, which currently account for over 55% of the global high performance anti-corrosion coatings market in terms of volume, are noted for features such as high mechanical strength and excellent corrosion and abrasion resistance. Their demand is expected to remain high in the future years; epoxy resins can be manufactured with the help of biobased raw materials, which could also lead to a reduced dependency on petrochemicals.

The demand for acrylics-based coatings is also rising at a high pace on a global front owing to their high compatibility with metals, chemically inert nature, and better color and gloss retention capability even when subjected to harsh environmental conditions. These coatings are thus expected to replace other prominent varieties of high performance anti-corrosion coatings, especially the category of alkyd-based coatings, which is still favored by consumers owing to their easy applicability.

Focus of Research Activities on Development of Less Harmful Coatings
The global market for high performance anti-corrosion coatings, which had a valuation of US$11.95 bn in 2014, is projected to rise at a healthy 4.8% CAGR over the period between 2015 and 2023. Though demand for products currently available in the market is significant, and has the potential of driving good market growth in the years to come, the market is projected to be affected by several environmental regulations concerning emission of volatile organic compounds, especially in developed regions such as Europe and North America.

Thus, most of the research activities currently seen in the field of high performance anti-corrosion coatings are focused on the development of coatings that are biobased and thus free from VOCs. Waterbornes complying with emission regulations are being developed, and the global interest in acrylic-based waterborne coatings is rapidly increasing. However, formulation of these varieties of compliant coatings is more difficult when compared to conventional coatings.

Browse Industry Research Press Release: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/high-performance-anticorrosion-coatings-market.htm

Several other research and development projects in the global high performance anti-corrosion coatings market are focused on the development of:

• Coatings with low levels of leachable toxics for use in potable water supply systems
• Coatings that can be applied to concrete containment structures for avoiding the migration of chemicals into concrete
• Coatings that contain no or miniscule proportions of potentially hazardous organic solvents and harmful heavy metal pigments
• Coatings to be used on the bottom sides of oceangoing vessels with the capability of limiting buildup of organisms on the vessel’s body but having no biocides that can cause harm to the environment