AkzoNobel goes global to meet demand for low gloss powder coatings

Architects and designers who crave the low gloss look can now turn to AkzoNobel’s Powder Coatings business, which has just made its Interpon D2015 Précis range available globally.

With gloss beginning to lose its shine in the construction industry, demand is growing for products that produce a low gloss finish.

Interpon D2015 Précis boasts ultra-low gloss levels, as well as offering built-in superdurable technology for long-term resistance against the weather.

"We’re all about giving our customers what they need and there has been an obvious shift in the buildings and infrastructure segment towards matte and textured surfaces,” explained Daniela Vlad, Director of AkzoNobel Powder Coatings.

"Low gloss products have steadily grown to represent more than half the market, so making the Précis range available globally will enable architects and designers to get easier access to our technology.”

Initially launched in Australia in 2014, the Interpon D2015 Précis range is available in 12 attractive shades, including six metallic colours.

They were selected because they mimic the sort of anodising finishes that are currently very popular on commercial buildings.

The added bonus is that they avoid the problems that often come with anodising – they can be repaired, applied to more than just aluminium and have greater colour consistency between parts.

A further attraction of low gloss, textured surfaces is that they hide defects and imperfections better than high gloss.

"Just think about how you feel when your car gets scratched,” added Vlad. "No amount of polishing will remove it.

"Get a scratch on a matte surface, however, and it’s not half as noticeable.”

AkzoNobel was actually the first company to bring ultra-matte coatings to the market.

Using ground-breaking technology developed at AkzoNobel’s polymer center in the UK, Interpon D2015 Précis has gloss levels of between seven and 15 (a traditional matte coating has a gloss reading of 25 to 35 units, while very low gloss is considered as being 20 units).

The product is also soft and smooth to the touch, as well as being non-reflective.

This makes it attractive to use at ground level, for example on street furniture and metalwork.

It’s also suitable for use higher up on buildings, where the absence of reflection makes the underlying colour stand out more.

Buildings to feature Interpon D2015 Précis include Monash University apartments and Werribee Plaza, both in the State of Victoria, Australia.