Several recent developments are judged of major importance by our panel. Of particular importance, these claims were made by the current suppliers of automotive finishes. The use of UV cured inks is of continued interest on wide web flexographic printing presses. These sophisticated processes require a careful balance between ink, press and printing plates, and the future growth is still unclear. Pressure-sensitive adhesives are being offered commercially by several adhesive and UV coating suppliers.
Volumes are still relatively small, but growth is solid and the properties provided are good.
The most important Technology improvements needed in the next five years include significantly lower cost raw materials, better, or lower cost photo initiators and clear coatings with good weatherability. As noted in the previous section, the cost of raw materials has decreased due to increased volumes and competition. There is also a great deal of research being done to reduce the need for expensive urethane-based oligomers, replacing these with polyesters or acrylics. Lower prices are being charged for a number of sophisticated photo initiators, as competition from China, and a number of other generic producers make offerings. An offset to these lower costs are decreased margins and less incentive for the few producers who have invested in developing improved grades, having faster cure, better non-yellowing and good weatherability.