Innovation & Inspiration for Aerospace Coatings and Color Trends

The May issue of Coatings World features an article on the ever-evolving aerospace coatings market and an article on how color experts develop trends and identify the new “it” color for the coming season.

Our “Aerospace Coatings Market” (page 24) article contains insights from key players in the market, including PPG, AkzoNobel and Sherwin-Williams.

According to Chris Athanasopoulos, director global sales-aerospace, Hentzen Coatings, Inc., Aerospace Division, the global aerospace coatings market is estimated to be $615 million. Commercial comprises $299 million and military comprises $216 million. Asia-Pacific is the largest region in terms of volume and value, then North America and Europe.

“The aerospace coatings market is estimated to grow five to eight percent per year in the next five years,” Athanasopoulos said. “The aerospace coatings industry will see growth in the U.S. with an increase in military budget now that the Republican party has taken hold of both houses in Congress. Increase in military  spending and the elimination of the sequestration will provide the growth.

Outside the U.S. the  military growth will be limited. On the commercial side of the business we are seeing an increase in orders by major airlines for more fuel efficient airplanes at all OEMs Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier and Embraer. China and India’s increase in air travel continues to be strong and in turn the need for more jetliners. China is becoming a contender to the other OEMs with the introduction of Comac’s ARJ21 regional jet.  Low oil prices provide opportunities for better financing that airlines can use to purchase new jets.”

  This year our color trends feature was written by PPG color expert, Dee Schlotter. “The Art of Color Forecasting: An Inside Look at Selecting Global Color Trends” (page 28).  According to Schlotter, inspiration for color trends can come from a combination of elements found in nature, technology, fashion, media, consumer preferences and more. Color selections are also strongly impacted by the current – and projected – global economic climate.

“Color provides avenues for individual expression and creativity, while also being a profound business vehicle,” Schlotter said. “Color psychology, or the meaning and feeling associated with a specific color, is proven to have a significant impact on consumer purchase decisions. In fact, research from The Journal of Genetic Psychology has shown that color is such a powerful marketing tool that it accounts for 85 percent of the reason someone decides to purchase a product.”