Plascoat to Ring-Fence Successful Polymer Solutions at Tube and Wire 2010


Global market leader in thermoplastic powder coatings, Plascoat, is anticipating a groundswell of demand for its Talisman, NG 30 and PPA 571 plastic coating products at leading trade fair, Tube and Wire 2010, Dusseldorf next month, April 12-16.

And a new and improved version of Plascoat's market leading product for outdoor fencing - PPA 571 PLUS - will be ready for show visitors when the exhibition opens its doors on April 12 this year. Patrick Benson, Technical and Marketing director, says that 'PPA 571 has been a market winner for us from the start - with many fencing installations around the world looking as new from 20 years ago. However, we decided that the moment was right to increase our technology leadership and to develop and incorporate a number of additional benefits into the PPA 571 formula.'

Plascoat's new and improved version - PPA 571 PLUS - accordingly has better edge coverage; even greater resistant to sodium chloride and salt spray and has also been redesigned to accommodate a wider range of substrates and metal preparation prior to coating.

The Plascoat improved PPA 571 formula - a proprietary polyolefin-based polymer - 'has been made more robust,' says Benson, 'in order to take the variety in substrates and in fabricating working practices into account. In this way we are looking to extend the outreach of PPA 571 into the most demanding and aggressive environments worldwide.' Benson adds that 'we have great hopes for PPA 571 PLUS. Most, if not all, fences coated in our PPA 571 material over the last 20 years have never had to be replaced. Our improved recipe looks set to take that reputation even further. We look forward to making this enhanced coating material the future standard for the fencing industry to come.'

On its Dusseldorf stand G19 in Hall 16, Plascoat will also be promoting the virtues of its polyolefin-based coatings technology generally - specifically its Talisman and NG 30 brands for wire work, domestic appliances and other coating uses.

'Not only is a polyolefin-based polymer coating fit for purpose and much more cost-effective when compared with engineering plastics, these materials also offer a future in which recycled plastics can one day figure,' says Benson.

'Using materials such as polypropylene, overall manufacturing cost can be further reduced - due to lower processing temperatures - and therefore with the added benefit of reducing the overall carbon footprint of the product. In terms of commerce and marketing, we know that energy saving and carbon footprint issues are of increasing importance to appliance manufacturers. Our market intelligence in the Far East tells us that a number of OEM manufacturers are making the changeover.

Plascoat's polymer coating for dishwasher markets, Talisman, is an activated polyolefin-based coating which is making particularly good inroads into the sector. After five years in a demanding market place a leading dishwasher manufacturer has stated that Talisman has "exceeded expectations" in both operation and cost.

In addition to a significant cost advantage over polyamide materials, Talisman also shows some distinct performance benefits: After four months at 130°C, Talisman showed no signs of degradation or discolouration. In salt-spray tests after 500 hours on deliberately damaged plates, Talisman showed only a few millimetres loss of adhesion, whereas alternative coatings can completely lose adhesion.

Benson says that Plascoat 'is extremely pleased to be returning as an exhibitor to this year's Dusseldorf exhibition. For many manufacturers, last year was about negotiating the new business climate and about survival. For Plascoat at least, this Spring will see an uplift in our profile and in our marketing activities - and a new outreach - with new products in search of new business customers.'

The Tube and Wire exhibition is the leading show of its kind globally. Held in Dusseldorf every two years the last event attracted over 1100 exhibitors in wire technology alone. Over 42,000 visitors attended the wire part of the 2008 exhibition and 60% of these were from outside Germany. Italian, French and UK visitors led the foreign contingent - and 16% of the overseas visitors were from Asia. Show organisers, Messe Dusseldorf, are expecting

For full details of PPA 571 PLUS, Talisman and all other Plascoat products and services, please contact Patrick Benson or Mike Cockin at the company. Tel. 01252 737 777. www.plascoat.com patrick_benson@plascoat.com

Plascoat is a world leader in the design, manufacture and supply of thermoplastic powders - primarily for the protective coating of metals.

The company - part of the IPT Group - has faculties in Holland and in Farnham, Surrey, UK and a sister coating company based in Kingswinford, West Midlands. Plascoat has over fifty years' experience in supplying worldwide clients and users of plastic coatings, and offers a world-wide technical and sales support for its product range, the breadth and depth of which is second to none. Current production capacity exceeds 30,000 tonnes per year and the company is accredited to the International ISO 9001:2000 quality standard.

Over eighty five percent of UK production is exported to international users and clients. Plascoat's programme of continuous product and technical development sees it constantly introducing new applications and new materials to the worldwide market.

In recent times it has become clear that - with an increasing demand for public environmental care and for health and safety - thermoplastic powder coatings represent the future for finishing in construction and related markets.

Plastic Coating Benefits:

Plascoat materials offer:

o Long term corrosion protection to metal items

o No VOC's, plasticisers, TGIC or halogens

o No cracking, peeling or chipping

o Excellent coverage of edges and welds

o Superior resistance to salt, sea, sand and sun

o Vandal and graffiti resistance

o Good grip and warm feel

o Sound and electrical insulation properties

o Very low smoke on burning

o Food and water contact approvals

Applying Plascoat's thermoplastic coating powders

Plastic coating is the process of applying a thermoplastic to the surface of metal items in order to provide long-term corrosion, impact and chemical resistance while also offering an attractive decorative finish.

Plastics tend to be applied a little thicker than standard paints and are generally impermeable to water or aggressive chemicals. As a result thermoplastics are ideal for very long term protection of metal in the construction and automotive industries or for the coating of welded items such as wire products, fencing, cylinders and pipes.

Plascoat's coatings are supplied in powder (or liquid) form and are usually applied in the factory by standard fluid-bed (fluidised bed) or electrostatic spray techniques.

Thermoplastic powders can be coated in two primary methods, using either the fluidised bed dip coating process or by electrostatic spraying as summarised below.

Fluidised Bed Coating - features and benefits

o 100% coating efficiency,

o Faster cycle times,

o Thicker coating providing: functional protection, longer life, impact resistance but with higher material usage,

o Superior edge coverage,

o Requires fluidised bed to be full of powder,

Electrostatic spraying - features and benefits

o Freely available sources of spray equipment,

o Thinner coatings,

o Lower material usage,

o Reduced inventory requirement,

o Lower coating efficiency (depending on the article and reclaim facilities)

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