Axalta Coating Systems is strengthening its performance testing capability by opening a new product development center at its facility in Lionville, PA. The center is equipped with a  Global Finishing Solutions professional spraybooth and advanced HVAC infrastructure designed to enable specialists to simulate a variety of North American climate conditions. The simulation will help to assess refinish automotive paint application.

“Now application specialists can evaluate products in extreme environmental conditions and fine-tune a product’s application characteristics, if necessary. This should help us make a more robust product and get it to the customer faster,” said Stefan Reinartz, Axalta National Refinish Product Manager. “Opening this facility is a testament to Axalta’s commitment to be the leader in product innovation and technology.”

Axalta’s refinish coatings range from surface preparation to undercoats, basecoats and high gloss clearcoats across a portfolio of brands that include Cromax, Standox, Spies Hecker, Nason, and Imron PowerTint. Each product is formulated to be effective in different climates and when coating various substrates such as metals, plastics and composite materials.

The facility is engineered to enable a quick turnaround from product development to launch. “A more refined prototype helps to eliminate some of the iterative processes in field testing and should ultimately shorten the time to get a finished product to market,” said Burt Palmer, Axalta Product Manager.