The thermal spray coatings market is a fiercely competitive yet exciting space. Leaders are constantly innovating, developing new technologies, and expanding their reach into diverse applications. Understanding the strategies, factors shaping market share, and recent developments is crucial for players to navigate this dynamic market and secure a strong position. As the demand for advanced coatings grows, the future of thermal spray looks bright, promising continued innovation and market expansion.
Industry Leaders and Strategies:
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Oerlikon Metco: A dominant player with a strong global presence, Oerlikon Metco focuses on offering a wide range of coating materials and technologies, including high-velocity oxyfuel (HVOF) and plasma spraying. Their recent acquisition of A.A.D. Engineering expands their reach in the medical device market.
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Sulzer Metco: Another major player, Sulzer Metco specializes in wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant coatings for various applications. They emphasize research and development, recently introducing new wear-resistant coatings for the mining industry.
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United Thermal Dynamics (UTD): A major North American player, UTD excels in thermal spray systems and equipment. Their recent focus on automation and process control improves efficiency and attracts customers seeking cost-effective solutions.
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Praxair Surface Technologies: Praxair leverages its expertise in industrial gases to offer custom coating solutions. Their recent partnership with Siemens Energy aims to develop advanced coatings for power generation turbines.
Factors for Market Share:
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Technology Leadership: Companies with advanced coating technologies and materials, like nanostructured coatings or additive manufacturing integration, gain a competitive edge.
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Regional Presence:Â Strong presence in key growth markets like Asia and Eastern Europe offers access to a wider customer base.
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Focus on Application-Specific Solutions: Developing customized coatings for specific industry needs, like high-temperature coatings for jet engines, attracts customers.
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Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives:Â Eco-friendly coating materials and processes resonate with customers seeking responsible practices.
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Partnerships and Acquisitions: Strategic partnerships and acquisitions expand reach, technology portfolio, and market access.
The global expansion of the global market has been witnessing competition amongst the following market players:
- Praxair Surface Technologies, Inc (US)
- Oerlikon Metco (Switzerland)
- Plasma-Tec, Inc. (US)
- AMETEK Inc. (US)
- Gartner Thermal Spraying (US)
- Arc Spray (Pty) Ltd (South Africa)
- Metallisation Limited (UK)
Recent News
One of the prominent market players, H.C. Starck took to the international market for the launch of molybdenum thermal spray powders that are available in a spherical shape as they have been designed for maximum flowability. These sprays are a result of technological advancements that help in coating large areas for small metal components that are prone to erosion, corrosion, and wear. These spray powders are optimized for diverse spraying processes in areas like plasma, flame, HVAF, and HVOF that promise a higher degree of velocity for spray coatings in various market applications for the forecast period that will be ending in 2028.
March 2021: Oerlikon Metco Coating Services (MCS) announced that it would concentrate its thermal spray and laser cladding activities in the United States and joined Oerlikon AM in North Carolina. In North Carolina, Oerlikon AM opened an additive manufacturing factory. Thermal spray and laser cladding capabilities, which are important aspects of Oerlikon Metco's service offering, were added to this facility as part of a significant investment. The company supplied 'print & coat' products by merging Oerlikon AM's additive manufacturing capabilities with Oerlikon Metco's coating capabilities under one roof. The expansion included not just cutting-edge coating and cladding equipment, but also pre- and post-coating inspection and machining services, as well as built-to-print replacement parts created to extremely tight tolerances using state-of-the-art CNC machines.
Oerlikon is another market player that came forward to sign an agreement for acquiring AMT AG in Kleindottingen, Switzerland. This acquisition was in line with Oerlikon’s strategy for focusing and expansion of its surface solution technologies followed by the increased market applications and service accessibility for the customers during the forecast period of 2021-2028. AMT is extending the product and service offerings for thermal spray applications followed by turnkey solutions for Oerlikon Metco.
Ellison Surface Technologies was acquired by a prominent market player Bodycote in December 2019. The idea behind this acquisition is to enhance the market functioning for being one of the largest functioning providers of thermal spray coatings market trends and engineered coating surface-on technology services across various global locations. Ellison’s business has been emerging as an excellent strategic fit with Bodycote’s existing surface technology business that has been working on its strong structural growth in the recent past.
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