Features

The Aerospace Coatings Market

All types of aircraft – jumbo jets, high-tech military vehicles, antique airplanes and corporate jets – need protective coatings, and coatings companies both large and small manufacture products that are right on target.

Christine Esposito08.09.05

Whether it is a jumbo jet, a high-tech military aircraft, a sleek corporate jet or even a two-seater prop plane, coatings are needed to protect the aircraft. And just like the aircraft that their paint covers, companies competing in the aerospace coatings market come in all sizes.

Among the big firms competing for a share of the estimated $150 million aerospace coatings market are Dexter, U.S. Paint and Akzo Nobel. PPG has entered the mix too, now that it owns PRC-DeSoto Inter-national, formulary Courtaulds Aerospace.

With PPG as its parent company, PRC-DeSoto should improve its already successful stance in the market. According to Randy Cameron, global marketing manager for aerospace coatings at PRC-DeSoto in Glendale, CA, the acquisition leverages both companies' aerospace operations by combining PRC-DeSoto's background in aerospace with PPG's experience in general aviation, or smaller aircraft.

Combining Expertise It is PPG's experience with the automotive refinish business that PRC- DeSoto will look to capitalize on in the coming months and years, according to Mr. Cameron "There will be some interes