Axalta Offers Car Manufacturers Insights into Electrocoat Developments During SURCAR Event in Cannes, France

BASEL, Switzerland–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dr. Herman Yee, the Global Manager of Technology for Electrocoat at
Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid
and powder coatings, gave representatives from car manufacturers insight
into new electrocoat technology innovations at the 29th
International Conference on Automotive Body Finishing (SURCAR). The
event, which brings together a global audience of influential members in
the automobile industry and associated paint industry experts, was held
in Cannes, France from June 29 to 30, 2017. This year’s topics centered
on current and future technology changes, market trends, what’s new in
Smart Factory/Industry 4.0 developments, and strategic industry issues.


Speaking on the first day of SURCAR, Dr. Yee’s presentation – Electrocoat:
Bringing Value to OEMs Today and into the Future
– outlined the cost
savings that the automobile industry can expect to make with higher
electrocoat throw power. High throw power is appealing because it can
reduce the consumption of electrocoat. He also presented a novel,
Axalta-patented approach to rheology control for better edge protection.
Designed for a lower temperature reaction, it can inhibit flow before
crosslinking and prevent the electrocoat from flowing away from edges
before curing. Dr. Yee concluded his presentation with an overview of
future development targets for e-coats that cure at low oven
temperatures.

“Car manufacturers around the world are currently focused on three
things,” Dr. Yee summarized at the start of his remarks. “First, high
throw power and cost savings; second, edge corrosion protection and
quality, and finally, low temperature curing paints for lightweight body
materials. These come coupled with the need for continued environmental
compliance as well as process consolidation and simplification.”

With more than 1,300 research fellows, scientists and engineers at
technology centers and laboratories around the world, Axalta invested
over US$180 million last year to expand its R&D and technology
capabilities, develop solutions in line with market needs – including
low temperature curing and reduction of film build – and offer customers
local technical support.

Dr. Yee pointed out that in five to eight years, a decrease in cure
temperatures will be necessary. He concluded, “While significantly
reduced oven temperatures can lead to cost savings, the real benefit to
our customers is to allow plastic substrates on car bodies to pass
through the electrocoat process without damage from the high
temperatures typically associated with today’s ovens.”

About Axalta Coating Systems

Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and
providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable
solutions. From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish
applications to electric motors, buildings and pipelines, our coatings
are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the
materials we coat to last longer. With more than 150 years of experience
in the coatings industry, the over 13,000 people of Axalta continue to
find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in 130 countries
better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and
technology. For more information visit axalta.com
and follow us @Axalta on Twitter
and on LinkedIn.

Contacts

DA Public Relations Ltd
Chantal Bachelier-Moore
D +44 207 692
4964
[email protected]