Coatings World: What is the history of Imron®?

Ross Morgan: Imron was initially developed in the late 1960s to make step change improvements in the quality of color and weathering for automobile and various other vehicle types, as the industry and its customers were no longer satisfied with the status quo.

At the same time industrial chemical plants and refineries were struggling with corrosion as well as chemical resistance issues that were requiring the owners to paint more frequently than desired. Repainting was costly to these large facilities, but the downtime and safety issues of unmanaged corrosion was also a real issue if not controlled. 

In addition, aging plants and refineries faced local pressure from the community to “blend in” with more of a modernized facility.

Axalta responded to both needs by developing a coating system for the industrial segment that eliminated the need to repaint frequently, thus reducing costs.

Imron was introduced in the industrial market in the mid-1970s with exceptional chemical resistance, outstanding weathering attributes and an extremely broad color space. Its high gloss and attractive finish, caused a job done correctly to stand out, making Imron the topcoat of choice with industrial users.

CW: What are its applications?

Morgan: Industrial Imron has been used over a variety of properly prepared substrates, such as metal, aluminum and fiberglass to provide a wet, mirror-like finish providing outstanding color and gloss retention, chemical resistance, ease of application and long-term performance.

It is used extensively in industries such as: amusement, oil and gas, construction, rail, metal fabrication, propane and other general industrial segments that require long-term performance, outstanding appearance and environmentally responsible products.

CW: What is the significance of the Industrial launch of Imron?

Morgan: Over the last few years, Axalta has carved out new and exciting opportunities for its various coating segments. Axalta is moving beyond its reputation in automotive coatings and is making its mark within the industrial markets, with multiple acquisitions and a dedicated focus on its offering to industrial customers. The emphasis placed on industrial Imron, our leading brand, demonstrates Axalta’s commitment to the industrial market because Imron is designed to meet specific end uses with the attributes needed to satisfy these spaces. Axalta focuses on market needs and develops technologies and solutions to satisfy those needs – Imron is great example of this.

CW: In what Industrial segments will it be used?

Morgan: The industrial market space is very broad, and new uses for these innovative products are found continually. Currently, sold to OEM and refurbishing manufacturers, painting almost anything; to the amusement segments painting rides, structural steel, buildings roofs; new construction of almost any kind; plus portable buildings and metal structures such as malls, office buildings, etc.

Imron Industrial is used in the heavy-duty rail market for locomotives, and also in the propane industry, ski resorts and construction equipment.
Imron Industrial is also used within the oil and gas segments for long term protection and durability.

CW: What are Imron’s key performance characteristics?

Morgan: With proven performance in all segments, the key performance characteristics are:

Outstanding weathering resistance- Long term protection
Outstanding color fade resistance
Environmentally responsible
User friendly
Available in topcoats, primers and direct-to-metal (DTM) varieties
Extremely high gloss plus semi-gloss, satin and flat finishes
Outstanding chemical resistance
Flexible coat both in end use and for flexible substrates
Can be applied in a variety of environmental conditions
Can be applied over old coatings in good condition
Can be applied over itself after prolonged exposure
for easy repaints.