Web特集
April 5, 2010
Series: Focus on Paint Market in Japan
Features of powder coating and spray system in 2009
World recession caused huge drop in the coating demand.
Low temperature curing system, too small lot production are key triggers to stimulate the market.
Even in steel furniture market, significantly contributed to market growth of powder coating, we faced a big drop in the demand, however, paint producers told, it recovered 80-85% to regular level. It seems that market of automotive parts and home appliance hit a bottom clearly.
Unfortunately the market for construction machinery still faced serious damage and will not foresee strong recovery in the meantime. It is a pity to hear powder coating system has just launched in this application.
The market for machine tool is the worst case, we can not see the bottom yet. According to Japan Machine Tool Builders' Association, total sales result from Jan to Aug in 2009 was 214.25 Bio Yen and it showed 80% down against last year. It is said machine tool market reflect real Japanese industry, it means, the recession in Japan would continue for the moment.
Increasing requirement of lo temperature curing system
Under current depressed market situation, paint producers focus on the development of low temperature curing coating system. Taking an advantage, energy cost saving effect and reuse of current sovent-borne base drying facility, they are promoting this system as the replacement of solvent-born paint.
The curing condition of existing polyurethane powder coating system is 180 C x 20 min. Lower temperature grade, HAA (beta Hydroxyl Alkyl Amide) curative, is mainly 160 C. Some paint producers succeeded to commercialize 150 C urethane curing system. Hybrid (of Epoxy and Polyester) system can be curative under 130-140 C and Epoxy system can be 110 C now.
In Japan, main curing agent for polyurethane powder coating is blocked material, therefore, unable to be curative at low temperature. Epsilon-caprolactam, blocking chemical, is noted as PRTR (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register" related chemical and generates a fume causing yellowing problem.
HAA curative system can solve above problem and also provide environmentally friendly, lower temperature curing system. However, the feedback showed difficulty in coating with low gloss and poor corrosion resistance. More or less, paint producers try to continue further development based on HAA curative system.
In addition, other technical development such as thin film or metal blending have been made, but it looks matured, so new opportunity to activate the market is really desired.
Small lot order system makes new business opportunity
In order to create potential market, some paint producers starts new small lot order system supporting small volume size, 15kg at min. Flexible supply ability makes a possibility to gain more volume from more small customers. KUBOKO PAINT and SAN-OH Co., Ltd. are pioneers in the market, from summer in 2009, NATOCO PAINT launch same business model.
KUBOKO PAINT keep 171 solid color products and 21 special pattern color products at their warehouse. They selected 192 color standard based on customer, market needs and supply stocked product through color selection system.
SAN-OH, a dealer of paint, have a function of paint producer too. They are producing powder coating by 3 lines and supplying ordered color product on demand. They started to produce powder coating 6 years ago, until then they had felt strong requirement by small lot from customers. Mr. Takahashi, senior managing director, told they made a big decision to start production although they were dealer of paint. "There was no other option but to do by ourselves to meet important customer's requirement" he mentioned. SAN-OH succeeded to launch new business model and plan to expand product line currently.
NATOCO PAINT, new comer, established new 2 lines for small lot size. They don't have any stock, but try to supply ordered color product by quick delivery scheme. Resin type is Polyester (Urethane and HAA curative), Hybrid and metaric, patterned color is available. Initially they focus on limited customers for support, recently announced to go to open market. They aim to promote to customers who need many colors and try to propose all color with powder coating.
NIPPON PAINT, market leader in powder coating, showed an interest in this model, however, hesitate to start. They have already developed tinting system for powder coating, some big users apply this system. In this system, it is possible to make the color easily by dry blending of each original color powder (18-21 micro meter particle) based on the formula calculated by computer matching equipment. This solves the demerit of powder coating and is very effective at the workshop where many colors or spot color is needed to spray. In the future, NIPPON PAINT may promote this tinting system for commodity business through paint dealers, but now they are not so active yet. They should estimate carefully how much market they can create and how to set the selling price of original color powder before the launch. Paint dealers need to keep a stock of original color product and make tinting operation by themselves, therefore, this risk may affect their profit severely, NIPPON is still concerned. NIPPON PAINT recognize this tinting system is one of future business model to supply small lot powder product and don't have any plan to build new production line at the moment.
Paint users, who need to spray many colors on site, are currently applying powder coating as main color and additionally solvent-borne as specified color. If small lot of powder coating is available, they can apply special color by powder. Small lot order system by powder coating makes more business opportunity and can boost potential demand.
Job coaters also try to start differentiated approach. KADOWAKI COLOR WORK prepared original color standard books "GLOBE COLORS" to get new business through small lot production. HOWA KOGYO start small lot production with grinding mill and disperser of powder coating. They are now toll manufacturer of SAN-OH brand mainly, plan to develop original product in the future.
50% decrease of spray equipment market caused by reduction of business investment
Japan economy was badly influenced by world recession caused by financial crisis, we faced huge drop in demand of automotive industry mainly. Sale of spray equipment in 1H 2009 was 50-60% less than previous year.
Equipment suppliers maintain current sales through maintenance fee, consumable goods and retrofit parts, however, understand end-users hesitate to purchase even by small amount if it is not absolutely necessary.
In recent years, equipment manufacturers improve transfer efficiency through low air system and develop guns or pumps to add more throwing power. As retrofit proposal, they promote new spray guns aiming to decrease power consumption by 10-30%. As running rate at their customers site got down, cost reduction was highly prioritized to survive severe competition.
Total number of spray gun sold in 2008 was 1,665 (34% less than 2007); by auto-gun: 1,174 and hand-gun: 491. Market share of equipment suppliers is assumed as NORDSON (28.2%, No.1 for the second consecutive year), NIHON PARKERIZING (25.4%), RANSBURG INDUSTRIAL (19.7%), ASAHI SUNAC (14.7%), HOSOKAWA MICRON (10.8%) and Others (1.2%).
Business size of spray booth equipment is totally around 2.4 Bio Yen, that shrank in 2009 and suppliers forecast the market in manufacturing industry is still dull except specific field although it recovered at 70% of regular level. The equipment investment may be back at the mid of 2010, however, equipment suppliers have to withstand under severe economic situation for the moment.
« 前のWeb特集 ｜ Web特集アーカイブ ｜ 次のWeb特集 »