Buy Powder Coating Powders in the UK

Know before you buy – types, properties, and powder coating powder suppliers

Powder coating is not just the coating used to hot-up vehicles. It is a highly protective coating method that is used to protect substrates from corrosion, chemicals, weather, and physical damage while providing an attractive drip-and-sag-free finish. Powder coating is also a cost effective and environmentally friendly coating option; it produces little to no waste, emits almost zero VOCs, and powder coating powder overspray can be collected and recycled. From the Wimbledon Centre Court roof to office furniture and playground equipment, the protective and attractive properties of powder coating powders are everywhere.

Looking to buy powder coating powders in bulk for an industrial, commercial, or large-scale project? In this article we look at different types of powder coating powders and give you the information you need to buy the right one. We also look at where to buy powder coating powder and the brands and companies that sell them in the UK.

How powder coating powder effects & finishes affect the price

Most powder coating material suppliers will produce a range of “standard” colours, with the option to choose another RAL colour that they can produce for you. These options will be represented in their powder coat colour chart or their sample panels. Sample panels allow you to assess the colour in person, rather than on a screen. Powder coat colours can also be tailor-made for your specific needs, though not all companies provide this service. AkzoNobel’s Interpon Powder Coatings is one company that provides custom colours. The colour options will start with the basic solid colour standard, and then get more exciting (and more expensive) from there.

Powder coating comes in a range of special effect finishes which are not available in liquid paint. These special powders include:

• Gloss – A powder coating finish comes in levels of gloss from flat/matte (with no shine) to full gloss (which is the shiniest). Between these are satin and semigloss or medium gloss.
• Metallics – A metallic sheen or sparkle effect caused by the inclusion of metallic pigments like aluminium flake or mica, ranging from shimmer to glitter. They come in bonded and unbonded (which describes how the metal is incorporated). Unbonded is the cheaper but less consistent finish.
• Colour effects  – These include translucent finishes, which add colour while also allowing the metal substrate to gleam through, and dormant powders. Dormants provide a bright candy finish through a two step process with a typically metallic base coat and a clear top coat. These are particularly used on bikes.
• Textures – These include sand (sandpaper appearance), hammer (like a hammered metal surface), wrinkle (commonly used on items like gym machines – rough yet smooth, with depth), and river vein (an almost wet look finish with a dimpled and crinkled effect).

£15-20 per kilogram is the average powder coating powder price, but of course this changes with brand and specialisations. As an example, AkzoNobel’s Interpon 100 epoxy powder in basic white retails at £475.00 per 25kg box, breaking down to £19 per kilogram. When you look to buy powder coating powder you quickly realize the more extreme the effect or outrageous the colour or texture, the more expensive it is. For a look at how powder coating powders prices translate to the finished item, visit our costs overview.

Metallics in general are more expensive due to the extra processes involved in making them, the special textures require extra thick film build or specialty application techniques which also increase the price. The more specialised the powder, the higher the price. Powders are commonly sold by the kilogram or pound, with the cost-per-kilo decreasing as the volume increases.

Choose the the right powder coating resin and properties

Like liquid paint, powder coating powder is available in a range of resin types from acrylic to polyurethane. Another important factor to understand is the curing process of the powder. In this respect powders can be divided into two broad categories: thermoset and thermoplastic powder coating. In a thermoset resin, the molecules form crosslinks as they cure. This permanently alters the chemical composition of the coating. Thermoplastic powder coating resins have longer chain molecules to begin with and do not form crosslinks. Consequently, they can be re-melted if exposed to high enough temperatures.

They are both applied through the usual powder coating methods, but thermoplastic powders are more flexible, where thermosetting powders are heat stable. Most powder coating powders are the latter. Below is a list of the main resin types and their applications. It is important to choose coating products based on the substrate, environment, and use that it is required for. For example, epoxy powder is not UV stable without extra stabilising elements, so it is not recommended for exterior applications. Below is a list of the main resin types and a few of their applications.

The top powder coating powder suppliers in the UK

If you are looking to buy powder coating powder for your business, or have a business that requires powder coating powders for specialty applications, there are several big companies operating in the UK who provide powders for your needs. These top powder coating powder suppliers include AkzoNobel, PPG, Valspar, Teknos and Axalta, just to name a few. Below is a table outlining a few of the brands available on the British market. For more information on powder manufacturers in the UK,  take a look at our article dedicated to the topic.

We often get the question “where to find powder coating paint suppliers near me?”. Below are some of the companies in the UK. If you are looking to buy powder coating powder, we are here to help! We will connect you with one of our coating partners to provide you with the best coating for your project. The quotation service is free, and our experts will help you determine the right coating. Simply use the “Request a Quote” button beneath this article and fill out the contact form so we can get you connected with the best powder coating powder suppliers in the UK.