For plastic parts, coatings and paints are more than just a protective skin; they provide the product with optical and haptic characteristics that decisively influence customers’ perceptions—and buying decisions. Because applying coatings is also one of the most energy-intensive processes in the manufacturing sequence, costs must be controlled. As a result, the coatings application industry is working on solutions that promote efficient use of resources while simultaneously optimizing quality.
Coating plastic parts—whether for automobiles, household appliances, consumer electronics, cosmetics or toys—is becoming more and more common. Optimization of the qualitative characteristics is one of the challenges in this respect. On the one hand, this involves improving functional characteristics such as durability and resistance to physical, chemical and mechanical influences. On the other hand, emphasis is also placed on improved optics and haptics that serve the purpose of, among other things, individualization.