Axalta Coating Systems, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, is stepping up its efforts to expand its product offerings in China. Manufacturing capacity for new modified polypropylene powder products will be added to the Huangshan operations center of Axalta’s powder coatings joint venture - Huajia Chemical Co. Ltd. This new high performance thermoplastics powder coating will meet the increased domestic demands for thermoplastic coatings in China. Huajia is a joint venture that Axalta Coating Systems shares with of Yongjia Chemical Co. Ltd.
The new modified polypropylene powder coatings have significantly higher corrosion resistance than can be achieved with other powder coatings. Due to increasing demand for this exceptionally durable coating, Axalta and Yongjia have made the decision to develop manufacturing capacity in China in order to meet the growing demand from local customers. By adding capability for cryogenic milling to the Huangshan factory, Axalta and Yongjia will make this important commitment to customers in China which can significantly shorten the lead time previously required to supply domestic customers.
“We are excited about the growth of our powder business and the opportunity to add new products within China,” stated Mike Cash, senior vice president and president of Axalta’s global industrial coatings business. “This is an important step forward in Axalta’s long term commitment to the China market. Together with our partner, Yongjia Chemical Co. Ltd, we are continuing to bring new global products to the region, while also reinforcing our leadership position in the powder coatings markets.”
Sun Yi, general manager of the joint venture company (Huajia Chemical Co. Ltd.), said, “Axalta is our long standing strategic partner, along with Yongjia Chemical Co. Ltd. With Axalta’s strong expertise in providing powder coating solutions in sustainable ways, together with Yongjia’s long-term customer relationships, we anticipate a successful and collaborative approach to support our domestic customers in China.”
The modified polypropylene powder coating manufactured in the Huangshan facility will be applied on the shelves of dishwashers, go-carts, flange, furniture, buttons and other surfaces requiring a high hardness coating.
In addition, Axalta supplies its Abcite™ thermoplastics coatings in China in conjunction with its Huajia joint venture company. Abcite thermoplastic coatings have excellent resistance to moisture and chipping and can be used for outdoor furniture, light poles, sign posts, railings and stairways, fencing panels, bike racks, cable grids, battery trays and perforated steel. All of these attributes are available in a sustainable powder coating technology with virtually no VOC emissions. Abcite is manufactured in Bulle, Switzerland and marketed and sold successfully throughout the world.
In China, Axalta’s powder coatings are used in a variety of end-user applications, including customers in the automotive, oil and gas pipeline, transportation, architectural, information technology, furniture, and general industrial sectors. In addition, Axalta’s powder coatings feature environmentally sustainable technology and have earned a reputation for corrosion resistance and durability due to superior edge coverage, thick film build, and primer-less systems.
In China, in addition to a manufacturing facility in Huangshan, Axalta and Yongjia operate powder coating manufacturing plants under the Huajia name that are strategically located in Qingpu (Shanghai), Guangdong, Chengdu, and Shandong. Axalta and Yongjia recently announced a significant capital expansion to double the capacity of its Qingpu manufacturing facility to serve the needs of customers in Shanghai and eastern China.
Also in China, Axalta Coating Systems operates liquid coating manufacturing facilities in Changchun and is completing a significant expansion of its waterborne coating production facility in Jiading.
