Powder coating accounts for about 11 % (based on value) of the industrial coating sub-segment of the Indian paint industry. Indian powder coating market was estimated at INR 16,258 million (USD 219 million) at the end of the year 2019.
Indian industrial paints & coating sub-segment is estimated to be at about USD 1.996 billion (at the end of 2019). It accounts for 26% of total paints & coatings demand in India. The sub-segment includes auto OEM, refinishing, protective coatings, powder coatings, general industrial (GI) and other segments.
Powder coatings has emerged as one of the fastest growing segments in industrial coatings at more than 10% annually on account of good growth rates recorded by consumer/ white goods and the auto ancillaries segment.
Powder coating is a superior replacement for liquid painting. Powder coating is typically applied by sprayingunder electrostatic charge and then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a smooth layer. Powder coating gives a harder and incredibly durable finish.
A perfectly pre-treated , properly powder coated and suitably cured surface has superior resistance to impacts , scratches and chemicals. All metals can be powder coated that includes aluminium , stainless steel , steel alloys , galvanised steel and most of the cast metals. Low VOCs make powder coating a much safer , eco-friendly and effective alternative to liquid coating.
Powder coatings caters to multiple segments like architectural, general trade coaters, general industries, automobiles, functional and domestic appliances. Powder coatings helps protect a variety of metal surfaces in applications including window and door frames, pipes, car components, radiators, metal furniture, home appliances etc. Powder coating is also used on underbody-chassis, exterior trims, primers and clear for wheels and coatings for springs in the automobile segment. Powder coating products are finding an increased usage in packaging and critical medical equipment.
According to H M Bharuka, vice-chairman and managing director of Kansai Nerolac Paints, “Kansai Nerolac is a leader in the powder-coating market in India. In this sub-segment, we have renewed the focus on high-end functional powders like rebar coatings, heat resistant powders, super durable powders and powders for pipe coatings. Kansai Nerolac has made good progress in these areas and has gained market share. Bonded metallic powders developed in the previous year and offering customers the advantages of a uniform finish and lower process costs have gained acceptance in the market.”
Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd (KNPL) is a 74.99% subsidiary of Kansai Paints Co. Ltd., Japan. Kasai Nerolac is the largest industrial paint and third largest decorative paint company in India. The company is the largest powder coating producer in India.
Kansai Nerolac has technical-assistance agreement with Canada-based Protech Chemicals Ltd for powder-coating products. In order to scale up leadership position in the powder coating segment, the company acquired 100 per cent share in a Goa based company Marpol Pvt Ltd in April 2018 for INR 360 million.
With an annual installed production capacity of 10,400 MT for powder coating, Marpol manufactures products such as epoxy polyester, pure polyester, pure epoxy, and polyurethane powder.
Marpol is among the few powder coating manufacturers with a backward integrated facility for manufacturing polyester resins, which is a key raw material for paint industry. Till the acquisition, complete production of the resin was used for internal consumption. However, last year, the resin plant’s capacity was augmented to 3,880 MT from 3,440 MT, enabling sufficient production for Marpol’s internal consumption, while fulfilling Nerolac’s requirements.
PPG Asian Paints manufactures automotive paints and other industrial paints for automotive OEMs, and caters to the automotive refinish, powder coating, marine and packaging segments. The company was set up in 1997 as Asian PPG Industries, which restructured its business in fiscal 2013. As part of the restructuring, PPG Coatings India Pvt Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of PPG Industries) and AP Coatings Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Asian Paints) were amalgamated with Asian PPG Industries. Thereafter, the liquid industrial paints, protective coatings, and powder business were demerged into Asian Paints PPG Pvt Ltd (a newly formed JV between PPG Industries and Asian Paints). Simultaneously, Asian PPG Industries was reconstituted as a private limited company and renamed PPG Asian Paints Pvt Ltd.
PPG Asian Paints has its powder coating plant at Sarigam in the state of Gujarat. With an installed capacity of 7200 MT powder coatings, this plant meets the powder coating demand of some of the major white goods and automotive producers. Asian Paints has acquired this powder coating plant from Hawcoplast Chemicals Ltd. in 2001.
Till 2013, Asian Paints was also producing powder coating at its plant at Baddi in the Northern state of Himachal Pradesh, but the company decided to shut this plant and rely on powder coating production from its Gujarat based powder coating plant.
Berger Paints is a leading producer of powder coating in India. Company’s powder coating production facility is located at Jejuri , near city of Pune in the state of Maharashtra. In 2019, the company expanded its powder coating installed capacity from 2,400 MT per annum to 4,200 MT per annum in August, 2019.
Akzo Nobel India operates its powder coating facility at Thane plant. The company produces powder coating under brand name Interpon. Last year, the company launched Interpon Redox Corossion protection range which finds usage in electrical charging stations, transformers and electrical panels.
Speaking on the occasion of release of financial results for the quarter and year ending on 31st March 2021, Akzo Nobel India’s Managing Director Rajiv Rajgopal said, “The trend of recovery was sustained, with the quarter bringing a strong finish to a challenging year. Powder, automotive and specialty coatings saw strong growth, although we faced headwinds in oil and gas segment.”