Feasibility of Industrial Paint Printing

Pre-painted steel is made almost exclusively by coil-coating process at speeds of up to 150m/min. This is an efficient process for producing large surface areas of single colours but is not an effective manufacturing method for producing patterned or other finish effects. Ink based solutions are available but these have limited durability, particularly in high UV environments. The clear business opportunity is to develop the capability to produce a wide range of surface finishes but with high durability which would allow architects greater freedom in designing buildings. The proposed project will establish the market potential and initial technical feasibility for a producing durable but bespoke architectural façade panels. The market for rainscreens and facades is estimated to be worth $12.1b by 2022 A succesful outcome will provide the basis for a larger scale up development project to take the identified technology through to commercialisation. Such a capability would be unique in the façade and rainscreen sector and would move Tata Steel into a much higher value commercial environment of bespoke manufactured goods.