Features

Aerospace Coatings: Taking Off?

The aerospace market has lost some altitude since the September 11, 2001 attacks in the U.S., but new products and the development of chromate-free coatings provide hope that the market may take off once again.

Mike Agosta08.10.05

Down for the aerospace industry is still pretty up. Even with the dramatic slowdown in air travel following the September 11, 2001 attacks in the U.S. and the resulting slide in demand for new planes and coatings, the global coatings market for the aerospace industry was approximately $215 million in 2001 and $110 million in North America, according to PGPhillips & Associates, Southern Pines, NC.

From 1996 to 2001, demand for aerospace paints and coatings grew from seven billion gallons to 8.5 billion gallons, according to the Freedonia Group. By 2006 that number is expected to grow to 10 billion gallons, and to 12.5 billion gallons by 2010. These numbers suggest that even with a slowdown in growth rate since September 11, the industry can still expect modest growth in coming years.

The aerospace industry can be broken down into three main segments: military, commercial and general aviation. According to PGPhillips & Associates, the commercial market in North America represents 62% ($68.2 million) of the total North American aerospace coatings market. Military accounts for 28% ($30.8 million) and general aviation represent