PPG Industries’ commercial coatings group will globally market and distribute a new urethane gel coat for the wind energy market. Developed and manufactured by Plasticolors, Inc., of Ashtabula, Ohio, the gel coat is available in clear for wind blades and pigmented for nacelles. The companies will work together to address the advanced coating requirements of the rapidly expanding wind energy industry.

“The gel coat we’ve developed will be attractive to wind turbine manufacturers as a high performance alternative to epoxy and polyester gel coats in use today,” said Scott Becker, president and chief executive officer, Plasticolors, Inc. “Since our expertise is manufacturing and development, we wanted to make sure we worked with someone who could give this product technology maximum exposure and the industrial consideration it merits. PPG has a long-term focus on, and understanding of, the wind energy industry. Their global sales and distribution channels make them a perfect partner for this technology.”

The clear gel coat, AGC200, features excellent adhesion to epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester and urethane composite substrates, low viscosity for smooth application, and the option of having open time for lamination up to three days. The clear and transparent liquid remains as such in a cured film. The pigmented gel coat, AGC10000 Series, features similar adhesion properties and open time for lamination along with excellent outdoor durability and dimensional stability.

Benefits offered by both gel coats include solvent-free composition, flexible urethane film, and the ability to be modified to meet application requirements. The clear gel coat enables visual inspection of composite laminate for defects and may be recoated using high-solids urethane and epoxy primers and urethane topcoats. The pigmented gel coat can be applied at lower film thickness than traditional gel coats and provides high gloss and distinctness of image.