DTC51632 DTC FUSION N2 25 PageTurn - Flipbook - Page 7
THE SHIFT TO WATER-BASED
COATINGS IN PAINTSHOPS
Paintshops are facing a period of
change as water-based coatings
steadily replace solvent-heavy paints.
Growing environmental regulations
and heightened awareness of worker
health have accelerated this shift,
pushing industries to adopt cleaner
and safer alternatives. For many, the
move is more than compliance, it is
an opportunity to rethink longestablished practices.
Water-based coatings offer clear
environmental benefits, significantly
reducing volatile organic compound
emissions that have long been a
concern in both production and
finishing environments. They also
improve air quality within workshops,
thereby lowering health risks for
operators who spend long hours near
paints and sprays.
Yet the transition is not without its
challenges. Solvent-based paints
have been the standard for decades,
prized for their reliability, durability
and ease of use in demanding
environments. Water-based coatings
often require different handling
techniques, longer drying times
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and more controlled conditions.
Paintshops have had to adapt
equipment, retrain staff and refine
processes to ensure quality remains
uncompromised.
These adjustments are already paying
dividends. As more companies invest
in advanced spray technologies,
controlled curing environments and
operator training, the performance
gap between solvent and waterbased systems continues to close.
In some cases, water-based coatings
now outperform traditional methods,
offering smoother finishes and
improved consistency.
For paintshops, this evolution is
not just about meeting regulatory
demands. It represents a broader
commitment to sustainable practices
that also enhance long-term
efficiency and competitiveness.
Those willing to adapt are discovering
that water-based systems can deliver
both environmental responsibility
and high-quality results, thereby
securing their place in the future of
industrial finishing.
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