CANNES, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Dr. Klemens Bartmann, Global Director Technology OEM for Axalta Coating
Systems (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid and powder
coatings, spoke at the 28th International Conference on
Automotive Body Finishing (SURCAR) in Cannes, France. Bartmann’s speech
concentrated on Axalta’s lightweight multi-substrate body design and low
bake coatings, and outlined how Axalta is creating new levels of
technological innovation by working to provide sustainable manufacturing
processes for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
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Axalta's Klemens Bartmann presents at SURCAR 2015 on lightweight component coatings ©Photos Michel Johner
For 50 years, SURCAR has been the world’s leading congress on automotive
body finishing and is held in Cannes and Shanghai. The conference brings
together an international audience of decision-makers and experts in
automotive and other commercial vehicle body painting from over 25
countries. This year the conference is focusing on new, lightweight
automotive materials and designs and their effect on paint and
refinishing, together with the latest developments in application
technologies.
“With the trend for electric vehicles on the increase, and with other
benefits that come from making vehicles lighter, manufacturers are
looking for new, lighter materials to counteract the heavy weight of the
batteries,” Bartmann explained. “As the automotive industry develops,
using varied and more efficient materials for body construction, Axalta
is developing products and systems conceived to complement and to
enhance these new designs with a range of application systems created to
respond to different customer specifications.”
In his speech, Bartmann looked at the implications of lightweight body
design, from the reduction of CO2 emissions in the body shop
and reduced energy costs due to low bake oven temperatures, to the
increase in styling capability offered by the new, more flexible
materials. He explained how these changes had been impacted by
international regulations and outlined the advantages and challenges
faced by different paint technologies for low bake systems.
Bartmann demonstrated how Axalta is well-positioned to meet the
technology needs of future lightweight body design. “Axalta’s waterborne
3-Wet system, 2-Wet Monocoat and Eco-Concept Harmonized Coating
Technologies™ are a few examples of innovations we have already
delivered to our customers,” he said. “We have also established
technologies and products, such as vehicle coatings for new substrates,
low temperature curing and water- and solvent-based systems for special
colors. And we are continually exploring new technology options for
further developments, such as reducing the curing temperature for
e-coat.”
With sustainability and productivity at its heart, many of Axalta’s new
systems share the ability to reduce the number of bake steps while
aiming to deliver the same full layer performance as traditional coating
processes.
Bartmann concluded, “The potential benefits for OEMs can include
improved productivity, lower VOC emissions, reduced energy consumption
and lower facility investment and operation costs, while still offering
an excellent finish on vehicles. Through its innovation, knowledge and
expertise in coatings, Axalta strives to be a strong partner for the
automotive finishing industry for current and future markets.”
Axalta sponsored the SURCAR award ceremony at the close of the
conference, which featured the innovation award, the technology award
and the jury’s award.
About Axalta Coating Systems
Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and
providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable
solutions. From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish
applications to electric motors, buildings and pipelines, our coatings
are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the
materials we coat to last longer. With more than 145 years of experience
in the coatings industry, the over 12,000 people of Axalta continue to
find ways to serve our more than 120,000 customers in 130 countries
better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and
technology. For more information visit axaltacoatingsystems.com
and follow us @axalta on Twitter and on LinkedIn.
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Source: Axalta Coating Systems