The market is expected to grow by more than 3% to 2008

Plastics coatings are moving away from mere protection and towards personalisation and decoration. A report from IRL, The Western European market for coatings for plastics, says that the consumer goods market will continue to demand special effects for products such as mobile phones.

IRL estimates the Western European market for coatings will grow at 3.4% per annum to reach 142,000 tonnes by 2008. Polyurethanes are still the preferred technology, taking 58% of the market, and will continue to take share away from acrylics.

However, UV-curable, water-based and other speciality technologies are likely to start growing from 2007. Automotive components, at 42%, represent the largest single end market, corresponding to 51,000 tonnes. The report also expects good growth opportunities in the construction sector, such as coatings for uPVC protection and continued demand for fireproof coatings.