Rad-Cure Coatings Market

In an overall coatings industry that is not particularly vibrant, rad-cure coatings are somewhat of an exception, representing a relatively robust and dynamic marketplace. As companies come under increasing pressure to reduce energy costs, speed production and comply with strict environmental standards, many are looking to the innovations of UV/EB technology for solutions to these problems.

Leading rad-cure coatings firms agree that the market will continue to grow. "From our perspective, we've experienced nothing but growth," said Timothy Tanner, UV product manager, Red Spot Paint and Varnish Co. "Last year our UV business experienced a 14.5% increase. The year prior, we recorded a 9.5% increase. This growth is due to our customers looking for cheaper alternative ways of coating their products to reduce costs in the face of rising energy costs. While switching to a UV system requires high initial cost investment in equipment and materials, utility savings over the long-term will pay for it."

Many early applications are showing signs of maturity but still have more active behavior than other mature markets, according to Steve Lundstram, general manage