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“The contrast in business regarding UK and Scandinavia is a good example of regional diversity, with our key UK customers focusing on exterior coatings, whereas our key Scandinavian customers focus on interior coatings,” said Mr Bradford. “This diversity gives a welcome mix that provides stability to our business.”
Osmo saw greater growth in its interior
market last year. “This could be due to the two previous years seeing growth in the exterior ranges as people were focusing on renovating their outdoor living spaces during the lockdowns,” said Mr Thompson. “This should bounce back this year as the exterior works will need maintenance coatings to be applied over the next two years.” At Remmers, while the market for its interiors products had been growing, said Paul Scott, divisional manager Induline Wood Coatings at Remmers (UK) Ltd, “exterior will still be a major focus until Q3, 2023”. For Sherwin-Williams the markets are more nuanced at the moment. “Parts of the interior market – say kitchens and mouldings – are maintaining, but then other sections – doors or refurbishments/ fit-outs – appear to be quieter,” said Mr Buchan. “Exterior demand has generally been increasing, but there is now considerable uncertainty as interest rates have risen and financial confidence has weakened.”
CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS While the world around them may be changing, customers’ needs and demands on wood coatings and finishes have remained fairly consistent. “Our market still wants to use the best possible products, which are natural and renewable and which Osmo can offer,” said Paul Thompson. “Yes the rising cost of living will have to be taken into account but the lifespan of the Osmo finishes and the ease of maintenance and longevity between recoats will help overcome this.” Remmers’ Paul Scott agrees that longevity
is key, along with innovation, “with simplistic systems”.
“Customers’ needs remain fairly consistent,” said Graham Buchan, at Sherwin-Williams. “They are looking for high performance products that can give them a competitive edge in the market and/or reduce their costs. And, especially in these times, our customers are looking for stability and reliability of supply.
“For us, it is important that we continue to innovate and our labs are constantly working on new products, or on further enhancing what we already offer to the market. “In terms of functional coatings, customers are looking for ways to reduce their emissions and increase the sustainability of their production. Our water-borne and bio-based products support these initiatives and have
seen increasing demand as a result,” said Mr Buchan.
AkzoNobel said that indoor air quality (it has a formaldehyde-free range), fire retardants, UV curing systems and anti- bacteria/anti-virus products all remained important areas of focus for customers, alongside water-borne technology, both in 1K and 2K forms, and carbon footprint reduction. “Our substantial R&D investment reflects the changing needs of the customer,” said Mr Bradford. “We believe the market is broadly responsive to the concept of indoor air quality and this welcomed awareness that will continue to grow as the topics of wellness and sustainability gather popularity.” He added that, of AkzoNobel’s brands and from a UK perspective, its Sikkens Wood Coatings brand was most in demand, saying it had become “synonymous with superior exterior protection with no compromise on aesthetic qualities”.
“Customers are reassured by the brand’s extensive history and experience in developing high performing, durable systems and have confidence in the performance levels of our products, which are tested under our Global Weathering Program and well documented in case studies of all types across Europe,” added Mr Bradford. Sherwin-Williams has enjoyed good demand across most sectors in 2022, said Mr Buchan. “As mentioned, the trend towards water-borne products or towards low VOC solutions in general is continuing to pick up pace. However, there has been good demand for the more traditional, solvent-based products as well. Any product that helps our customers improve their productivity and profitability will continue to be valued.” Meanwhile, over at Remmers, Paul Scott said that the company’s isolating primer and opaque top coat with Aqua Stop technology were its most in-demand products.
When it comes to new products, the coatings and finishes sector hasn’t held back. “Our labs are constantly developing new products across a wide range of technologies,” said Graham Buchan at Sherwin-Williams. “In the last year we have introduced a new range of fire retardant systems, achieved advancements in both interior and exterior water-based technology, and added a v-joint sealer to our joinery market portfolio. We are also pursuing specialist developments in excimer UV technology.”
AkzoNobel continued the momentum of its new CETOL range in 2022, including: CETOL WF 98xx – a translucent range of waterborne single pack topcoats for wooden windows, doors, and claddings, which the company says provides excellent application properties, transparency, and high durability. “This range is suitable for all kinds of woods, giving a high-quality surface and a great look and feel to any wooden doors, joinery, or cladding, whilst delivering no dirt pick-up and excellent levelling,” said Mr Bradford. “The new CETOL WF 98xx range was tested under AkzoNobel’s global weathering programme.”
Another newcomer was CETOL WM 6900 – translucent waterborne single pack mid-coats for wood species prone to bleeding. They are suitable for components made of hardwood and softwood, with versions for dipping and flow coat (CETOL WM 6900-02) or spray (CETOL WM 6900-03) application. The company says CETOL WM 6900 gives good isolating properties against discolouring tannin extracts, without the addition of heavy metals.
And there is CETOL WM 6100 – translucent waterborne single pack mid-coats offering a long-lasting, high performing solution and demonstrating excellent transparency (crystal clear), superior pore filling, and “unprecedented” sandability with ►
Above: Parts of the interiors market for Sherwin-Williams, such as kitchens and mouldings, are maintaining, while other sectors seem quieter
www.ttjonline.com | January/February 2023 | TTJ
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