Over the past decade powder coating has been increasingly accepted as the preferred finishing process for the future. Reasons for this conversion from liquid to powder can be attributed to three major forces: economy — the high cost of energy and materials require a more cost effective and less wasteful process; excellence — consumers are demanding a higher quality and more durable finish; and ecology — progressively more stringent regulations are being aggressively enforced in an effort to control air pollution and hazardous waste disposal.

Many companies have found that it is less expensive to convert to powder coating than to bring their wet systems into compliance!

With strong financial arguments providing the necessary stimulus, powder coating technology has evolved quickly. The quality and variety of powders available have grown as an increasing number of companies get involved with its production; and the technology for spraying the powder, collecting it and reusing it, is constantly improving transfer efficiencies and material utilization, and reducing color change times. Early perceptions that powder was too difficult to control, too costly to install, too time consuming for color change, or did not provide enough choice of color are largely obsolete today.