So far in this series, we have explored the megatrends of urbanization, digitalization, and sustainability. In this post, we look at mobility, as the coatings industry evolves to meet the needs of a global transportation sector that is undergoing a significant transformation driven by electrification, automation, and enhanced safety requirements.
Increasing passenger safety and decreasing carbon emissions are key themes across the global transportation industry, driving progress in electrification and autonomous vehicles. Electric vehicles (EVs) have experienced particularly tremendous growth in recent years, with every major automobile manufacturer investing in EV models.
Despite shifting politics and trade policies, the EV market will continue to grow. With the expansion of the EV market, as well as evolving electrification initiatives across industries, coatings play an important role in enabling and enhancing the future of mobility. Investments in vehicle manufacturing and battery plants require traditional automotive interior and exterior coatings while also driving significant growth in specialty coatings for batteries, battery packs, and sensors.
Electric Vehicle Applications
EVs require a wide range of specialized coatings to improve safety, durability, and thermal management. Coatings have become critical in improving EV battery safety, performance, and longevity. Dielectric coatings prevent arcing between metal components, while thermal management coatings help regulate temperature, ensuring batteries operate efficiently under various conditions.
Fire protection is another critical consideration for EV battery systems. Intumescent coatings can expand when exposed to high temperatures, providing an additional layer of protection that helps slow the spread of dangerous thermal events.
In Europe, urban planning and public policy continue to promote sustainable mobility. With a high concentration of compact cities and an established public transport network, Europe is shifting toward integrated, low-emission transportation methods that influence adjacent sectors, including the coatings industry, in which materials must meet new performance standards for emerging transportation applications.
Rapid economic growth and government incentives for electric mobility in Asia are creating a dynamic market environment. Local manufacturers are scaling up production facilities and investing heavily in R&D to deliver coatings that support the structural integrity and safety of next-generation vehicles.
For example, Nippon Paint is leveraging its strong R&D capabilities to innovate coatings for the EV market. In Japan and other parts of Asia, the company is exploring corrosion-resistant and thermally stable coatings that cater to the heightened demands of EV battery systems and chassis protection.
Key players such as Solvay, PPG Industries, and AkzoNobel are also actively innovating in this space. Large coating manufacturers have a full suite of products, from electrocoat to liquid and powder systems. Powder coatings have become increasingly attractive for battery applications. AkzoNobel has launched key powder products that are specifically designed for the EV market, like Resicoat EV.
Growth in coatings for the EV market also offers opportunities for entirely new approaches. A promising technology to watch is AM Batteries’ Dry Electrode Coating process. With this technique, the dry coating is spray applied directly to the electrode and does not require heating or solvents. The process boasts reduced energy consumption and CO2 emissions while improving production time.
Sensors and Automation
Coatings play a crucial role in enabling the function and longevity of safety and proximity sensors in EVs and autonomous driving. Sensors and electrical components can include those for light detection and ranging (LiDAR), printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronic control units (ECUs), micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMs), tire pressure monitoring systems (TPS), and emissions sensors.
These coatings must be ultra-thin, lightweight, and offer excellent moisture, chemical, and solvent resistance while maintaining superior dielectric and thermal stability. Self-cleaning topcoats that repel dirt also present an opportunity to enhance sensor performance.
Sun Chemical’s SpectraSense™ technology is a notable innovation in this space. Designed to optimize coatings for LiDAR systems, the technology reportedly improves the response of autonomous vehicle sensors by enhancing their interaction with visual, near-infrared, ultrasonic, and radio electromagnetic radiation. Additionally, Sun Chemical’s solutions incorporate advanced pigments that improve the clarity and effectiveness of automotive photonics, a key component for the future of self-driving vehicles. These innovations contribute to more reliable and responsive safety and automation systems in modern vehicles.
As electrification evolves, coatings will remain an essential factor in overcoming industry challenges. From extending battery life and sensor function to improving safety, thermal stability, and corrosion resistance, coatings innovations will be pivotal in shaping the future of electric mobility.
In the final post of this series, we will explore the megatrend of health awareness, including issues related to materials of concern and antimicrobial coatings.
Contributors: Crystal Morrison, Ph.D.; Eric Casebolt; Philip Marsh; Wayne Daniell, Ph.D.
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