COLOUR
Grey matters
John Park-Davies, director of aluminium powder coating specialist, Vertik-Al, sheds
some light on colour trends – and the continuing popularity of shades of grey.
We are fortunate to powder
coat millions of linear metres
of aluminium product for an
abundance of industries; this
gives us a privileged insight into colour trends and
preferences. The fenestration sector is well-aware
of the seemingly meteoric rise of all things grey and
it appears that this tone is one that’s appreciated
right across the board.
In the months to April , % of our top
colour chart comprised tonal variations of grey.
Anthracite Grey led the charge in the number one
slot with almost % share. This was supported
by Black Grey, Slate Grey and Umbra Grey in
sixth, seventh and eighth position, and Grey
Brown at number . The remaining five colours
are a variation on this neutral theme – Jet Black,
Signal Black, Heritage Black, HIPCA White and
Pure White.
We have also crunched the numbers on finish
usage and matt dominates at 8‹.Œ%, followed by
satin, gloss and then finally, metallic.
In combining colour and finish, we can see that
variations of grey in a matt finish obliterate the
competition with entries in our top . In fact,
Anthracite Grey is the only grey to feature in both
a matt and satin finish.
STATEMENT METALLICS
In recent times we have spoken about the
emergence of more extraordinary colour and finish
combinations. For example, last year we‘powder
coated over ‹,Lm of aluminium bar in
metallic gold for high-rise apartment blocks in a
city centre, riverside location. This was surpassed
only by another commission in contrasting matt,
gloss and a ‘Portland Stone’ finish.
It is therefore no surprise that we see evidence
of these bold choices in our usage data. Anodic
Pewter, White Aluminium and Gold Metallic all
rank in our top , featuring in metallic finishes.
GLOBAL COLOUR PARTNERS
While neutral tones dominate our day-to-day
business, we generally use around • colours
regularly, and have over ‹, at our disposal, and
that doesn’t include the vast selection of finishes
and textures.
By‘working‘with global powder companies,
including AkzoNobel, Synthapulvin, Axalta,
IGP‘etc. we can respond to the most elaborate of
requests, coating aluminium to complement all
manner of products, and architectural styles and
features.
Our customers take confidence from our
partnerships‘with these internationally respected
brands. They benefit from standard ‹
year guarantees on all AkzoNobel gloss, satin and
matt finishes, and that is extended to • years
with AkzoNobel’s Interpon D, for example.‘
PLANT INVESTMENT
With such an array of finishes and colour
contrasts from Pure White to Heritage Black, it
is crucial that we, as a premium powder coater,
achieve a consistently high-quality coating.
Colour changes are critical for achieving this.
That’s why over the past 8 months we have
invested in two new powder coating plants.
The Magic Compact horizontal lines improve
powder consumption and efficiency. The quality
of the application and finish of matt, gloss and
textured coatings is excellent while the advanced
automation of the powder recovery circuit
delivers the fastest colour change in its class.
This investment is proving extremely beneficial to
the business and our customers.
CERTIFIED QUALITY
Consistency and quality are essential if a powder
coated product is to have impact and achieve
the desired look and longevity. That is why we
are committed to quality and carry relevant and
respected certification.
We remain the only applicator in the UK and
Ireland to hold the GSB International quality seal
for Approved Coated Aluminium and are one
of a handful of applicators to boast membership
of the product certification scheme, Qualicoat.
All require stringent controls, checks and
often, random audits; giving peace of mind and
reassurance‘throughout‘our supply chain.‘
July www.ggpmag.com
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