Coating PVC plant containers with water-based paint

Coating PVC with water-based paint is a challenge that a paint manufacturer successfully implemented for a flower wholesaler. The PVC plant containers are now given a resistant coating with a water-based 2K coating system.

When you think of Holland, you think of windmills and canals - and probably also of tulips. After all, the Netherlands is the world's largest exporter of cut flowers and ornamental plants. The wholesaler Nieuwkoop Europe specializes in indoor greenery. On request, the green plants can also be supplied in matching planters - and thanks to the paint manufacturer Adler, in any desired color and with the highest surface quality.

Around 20,000 PVC planters are coated at Nieuwkoop every year, and around 30 different color shades are used every day. What may sound like an easy exercise is actually an enormous challenge, knows Adler application engineer Marco Ungericht, who advises Nieuwkoop Europe on site together with the team of the Adler Benelux sales company. "On the one hand, it is necessary to ensure the necessary adhesion to PVC, and on the other hand, the coating must also have a very high chemical and mechanical resistance."

For a long time, the Dutch company, which attaches great importance to ecology and sustainability, was looking for a water-based coating system that could do all that - and finally found it at Adler: The water-based 2K coating system Polycolor 2K SQ, which was specially developed for coating PVC windows, doors and garden furniture, not only offers the perfect surface quality that is important to Nieuwkoop Europe, but is also environmentally friendly and has been awarded the Cradle to Cradle circular economy certificate.

Before applying the varnish, the PVC planters are blown off with deionized air - this neutralizes the electrostatic charge and prevents dust from adhering. After that, the cleaner and adhesion promoter Polyactive SB is applied with a wipe - this guarantees perfect adhesion of the top coat to the smooth PVC and permanent water resistance. Finally, the planters are spray painted with Polycolor 2K SQ in 18 standard and numerous special colors.

Thanks to its exceptionally high hardness and elasticity, even splash water, weathering or scratching and impact loads cannot harm the coating. In addition, the coating impresses with its perfect hiding power and color stability: "The colors now cover much better than with the solvent-based coatings we used to use," says Marc Bakker, coating team leader at Nieuwkoop Europe. "With orange and yellow planters, for example, you often saw streaks; that's no longer the case." Added to this are the benefits for the processor: the health of employees is protected, cleaning and disposal of paint waste is easier - and last but not least, the extremely low VOC content of Polycolor 2K SQ is an important contribution to the Dutch processor's sustainability strategy.

For about a year now, Nieuwkoop Europe has been coating planters with Adler's water-based paint. From the very beginning, the cooperation proved to be a win-win situation. Marc Bakker tells: "Adler supports us very well, for example, we have received comprehensive training in the handling of waterborne coatings. If we have questions, Adler's consultants are always there for us. Our customers are extremely satisfied with the surface quality of the planters." But Adler also benefits from the cooperation: "Coating PVC is an exciting challenge, and the cooperation with Nieuwkoop is an incentive for us to consistently develop our Polycolor coating system further." For example, Nieuwkoop Europe plans to offer planters with effect surfaces in concrete or metallic looks in the future. After all, the magnificent green plants that the company supplies to customers all over the world should also be optimally showcased. (OM-10/23)