Colour, texture and character feature across Axalta’s product ranges – from matt to metallic and from powder coatings to liquid. We chat to Ben Mitchell, Axalta’s Architectural Business Development Manager in North, Central and South America, to find out about the preference for liquid coatings in the Americas, and current colour trends. 

Hi Ben, how are things in the Americas?

Great thanks. We’ve been busy launching a new colour collection, The Global Color Palette, for our Durapon 70™ brand, which is part of the Dura Coat  range – a liquid coating system that’s very popular in America. The new shades reflect a trend we’re seeing globally for earthy shades and a ‘self-finish’ aesthetic that references weathering and patination, for example the look of anodised metal.

In Europe powder coatings tend to be the market leaders. What do you think is behind the American preference for liquid?

In any context, specification of architectural coatings involves multiple players across the construction industry and architecture – from fabricators to contractors to designers. It just so happens that the US culture has remained wedded to the skills and processes of liquid coatings, partly because of production environments that operate on a just-in-time basis. We introduced the new colour palette to make sure that Axalta’s latest colours and textures are available to all specifiers, across powder and liquid.

Is there any difference in performance between liquid and powder coatings?

Performance is pretty much equal, although powder has the potential to contribute to LEED points. The advantages of liquid can be cost, due partly to a lower total film thickness, and the fact that liquid colours can generally be mixed and painted locally within 24 hours. An advantage of liquid is that any excess volumes can often be re-shaded easily for use elsewhere to reduce waste.

How were the new Durapon 70® metallics developed and tested in Axalta’s labs?

The finishes were developed in our lab in Huntsville, Alabama where we analysed the custom colours most frequently requested by architects, designers and facade fabricators, including the most popular anodised-look finishes. 

The shades were rigorously trialled by Axalta in accelerator cabinets before being sent to South Florida to be tested to the exposure specifications of the FGIA (Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance) – known until 2020 as the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA). The FGIA tests relate to longevity and durability, including colour retention, gloss retention and the thickness of the paint after it dries. Although the FGIA and Qualicoat in Europe operate independently, they share similar coating performance standards and testing methodologies, ensuring consistency and quality across different regions.

How are you seeing metallics being used across the US? 

As in Europe, I’d say that US architects and designers are increasingly focused on the look of raw finishes and natural materials – such as the copper colouring of Handel Architects 2 Harbor Life-Science Center in Boston. Architects are also seeking the assurance of durability and stability; whether that’s UV performance, weathering or handling materials on site. For reasons of cost and performance, coatings are often the optimum solution.

Over the last 20 years we’ve seen a shift in metallics to incorporate greater percentages of mica – often over 90 per cent – which means you can achieve the same depth of colour without the need for a clear coat. One large extruder applicator we supply says that over 80 per cent of their volume in PVDF liquid are now mica colours, so metallics are definitely continuing to grow their share in the market. 

To find out more about Durapon70® High Performance Spray Coatings and The Global Color Palette, click here.

Link to colour card pdf