Intumescent coatings may become more expensive after manufacturers have warmed of the severe impact they are experiencing of raw materials price increases or even shortages.
The British Coatings Federation says it has been taking steps to ensure the continuity of supply by exploring alternative raw material sources and, where possible, re-formulating products.
Dick Frost, CEO of Leighs Paints and chairman of CEPE’s heavy duty sector group in Brussels, said: “I can honestly say that in my 33 years in the paints industry, I have never seen such massive rises in raw material costs before. The speed at which events have moved is also unprecedented.”
The manufacture of intumescent coatings has been particularly affected by the disruption of supplies of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) from China. This is partly, says the BCF, a result of the recent earthquake which cut production by 60%, and partly due to the levy of a 130% export tax leading to price rises of over 700% in the last year.
The industry is also experiencing shortages of nitrogen derivatives such as urea, from which melamine, another key component of intumescent coatings, is produced. Melamine prices have increased by as much as 80%. According to the federation, these increases and the associated shortages of raw materials have come about very rapidly, allowing the industry little time to react.
Why there is a huge difference in pricing of intumescent seals . West is expensive and East is cheaper.