Paint and Coatings Industry

Excelitas has launched the OmniCure R2000Plus UV/Visible Radiometer, an updated measurement platform designed for optical power and irradiance verification in UV and visible-light curing processes. The R2000Plus builds on the company's R2000 platform with a large backlit LCD display, five-button navigation, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, USB-C charging and communication, and onboard logging and review of measurement and calibration data.

Alexium International Group Ltd. announced that its microencapsulated phase change material solutions are available to U.S. data center developers, design-build contractors and engineering firms as a passive thermal buffer incorporated into a facility's building materials. The company offers three microencapsulation technologies under the NexTek, VivTek and Micronal brands, along with formulated coatings made using those microcapsules.

Sun Chemical announced that Colors & Effects GmbH has obtained Authorized Economic Operator customs simplifications status, known as AEO-C. The authorization took effect June 28, 2026. The designation recognizes customs compliance, recordkeeping and internal controls, financial solvency and professional competence. Sun Chemical said it supports the entity's role as a reliable partner in international trade.

The Shepherd Color Company has been recognized as a Global Award winner in PPG's 2025 Excellent Supplier Awards. The program recognizes suppliers whose performance exceeds expectations in areas including commercial value, quality, innovation, sustainability, responsiveness, service, delivery, documentation and compliance. Shepherd Color supplies high-performance inorganic color pigments used in coatings and other industrial applications.

Hirebotics has introduced Cobot Painter, an explosion-proof collaborative robotic painting system built around its Beacon no-code platform and FANUC CRX-10iA/L Paint hardware. The system is aimed at metal fabricators and manufacturers handling high-mix, low-volume work that may not justify a conventional automated paint line. Rather than requiring extensive conveyor or booth infrastructure changes, the portable system is designed to operate within an existing manual spray environment.

Continuum: default market report with painter Apogee Enterprises reported a 14.2% increase in fiscal 2027 second-quarter Performance Surfaces sales to $55.3 million, driven by higher volume and pricing. The quarter ended Aug. 29, 2026. Segment adjusted EBITDA increased to $12.4 million from $11.2 million, while the margin declined to 22.5% from 23.2%. Higher material costs outweighed the margin benefit of pricing and volume. Consolidated sales rose 9.2% to $391.1 million.

H.B. Fuller has named Huhtamaki and Bin Dasmal General Trading Co. recipients of its 2026 Customer Innovation Awards, recognizing collaborative developments in sustainable packaging and infrastructure protection. The annual awards recognize customers that have developed technologies or processes delivering measurable improvements in sustainability, safety, performance or operational efficiency.

Covestro LLC's Steven Reinstadtler, architectural and construction coatings manager, received a Distinguished Leadership Award from the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry during its 2026 Polyurethanes Technical Conference. The award was presented Oct. 7 during the conference's closing session in Orlando, Florida. CPI recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership and contribute to the advancement of the polyurethane industry.

iGM Resins has opened a new Shanghai office that will serve as the company's flagship location for the Asia-Pacific region. The company said Shanghai remains an important hub for its Asian business and that the larger, enhanced location is designed to provide additional space for collaboration with employees, customers, partners and other stakeholders. iGM remains in the same Shanghai neighborhood as its previous office.

Credit: filo / iStock via Getty Images Plus Axalta Coating Systems plans to divest its North American Building Products business as part of the regulatory approval process for its proposed merger with AkzoNobel, according to an Oct. 20 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Form 425 includes an internal communication from Axalta stating that the expected divestiture is intended to address regulatory requirements and support completion of the merger.