It started out as a special soft touch finish for laptop computers. But when an enterprising global market sector manager showed it to IKEA, the seeds of a new opportunity for our Powder Coatings business were planted.
The technology in question was initially developed for use on laptop covers. Customers were looking for eco-efficient solutions that offered new textures, effects and patterns. So a soft touch topcoat was developed which met all the demanding specifications.
However, one of Powder Coatings’ furniture sector managers thought the new range might be of interest to IKEA and before long a new business opportunity was born. IKEA will now produce 1.5 million flower pots during 2011 in Vietnam and Germany, all coated with our soft touch powder technology. Not only is it far more eco-efficient in terms of energy consumption when compared with traditional glaze, but the overall cost is lower as well.
The product also fits in with IKEA’s drive to encourage suppliers to use more sustainable materials and processes.