What do experts think about the future of wood coatings

Wood is a popular material. Not only for furniture, but also for other goods and, of course, for construction. We interviewed two experts about the latest trends and how coatings can improve the protection of wood's natural colors

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so far, the trend towards sustainable development is not the only reason wood is so popular. Most importantly, it is a very beautiful material. Combined with these two facts, there may be a growing demand for coatings to make wood coatings look more natural.
"Due to the skills of coating formulator and the availability of new raw materials, the authenticity of the appearance of "uncoated wood" has improved over time, as well as the general protection of coatings," said Marcello Vitale, an innovative worker. Technical Manager, IvM Chemicals Research, Italy.
The challenges of "natural" wood coatings
however, Allnex's global marketing manager, Cédric D'Hulst, adds: "This is particularly challenging in outdoor applications because the color and performance of coatings are subject to harsh conditions. D'Hulst stresses that several radiation curing systems provide good results. "We have developed UV-cured resins for transparent matte coatings, as well as water-based products to provide good natural results and maintain the natural appearance of the wood," he said. Marcello
vitale, technology manager for innovation research at IVM Chemicals in the United States.
the challenge is that the "natural appearance" coating is so thin that when the surface of the wood is subjected to environmental erosion such as rain and sunlight, it does not seem to be able to resist wood erosion effectively in the long term. IVM. However, he also points out that UV systems can be well-light resistant if the correct additives (such as nanoscale forms of certain oxides, such as radon or zinc oxide) and wood-penetrating antioxidants are used.
sustainable development is not
more sustainable trends affect not only the appearance of wood coatings, but also the raw materials used to make them. "The pressure to move to a low VOC, formaldehyde-free and low odor-free systems is increasing and continues to challenge existing technologies," says Cédric D'Hulst. "Bio-based coatings, especially those used in natural substrates such as wood, will increase traction in the future."
Allnex's global marketing manager, Cédric D'Hulst
. IVM has begun to take steps to achieve more bio-based solutions. "As part of the LIFE-Biopaint project, we are building advanced prototype coating production units for 100% UV coatings. IVM's Vitale explains that it will use most bio-based resins produced in the same vertically integrated plant. The plant is scheduled to open in the second half of 2020.
wood and other substrates
both experts believe that the wood coatings market will be affected by some changes in substrate transfer. However, the direction is completely different. "Low-cost alternative substrates (vinyl, MDF, plastic composites, etc.) will continue to replace wood in some applications in the coming years, as digital printing now makes it possible to reproduce imitation wood samples," predicts Cédric D'Hulst from Allnex. It still seems natural. On
the other hand, the trend towards sustainability may be the opposite of what Marcello Vitale points out: "Wood is the ideal renewable material, and in the future, wood products will replace plastics and even metals in many applications." Both
may be true to some extent. The future will show which one will dominate.
Jan Gesthuizen
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