Background

Iberian Surface Solutions SL, a family-owned niche powder coating manufacturer based in Valencia, Spain, has been serving specialized sectors including handcrafted metal furniture makers, custom motorcycle manufacturers, and historic building restoration companies for 15 years. Their unique strength lies in their commitment to providing coatings that combine industrial-grade durability with a distinctive aesthetic, crucial for clients who frequently produce unique or small-batch products. However, with the surge in demand for matte finishes (5-15 gloss levels) in Europe—primarily driven by a trend towards understated, high-end design in residential and commercial spaces—Iberian Surface Solutions faces a pressing challenge.

Their existing matte powder coating formulations suffer from two key issues: inconsistent surface smoothness (with some batches exhibiting a slight sheen) and resistance to fingerprints, stains, and everyday wear—issues that have dissatisfied their core clients, such as a Barcelona-based furniture studio known for its minimalist steel furniture. Furthermore, stricter EU environmental regulations (REACH Annex XVII, EU Ecolabel standards) require a significant reduction in heavy metal content and the elimination of harmful air pollutants (HAPs) in coatings. Iberian Surface Solutions has a loyal customer base that values ​​both performance and sustainability, thus requiring a matte powder coating partner who understands the nuances of niche manufacturing sectors where flexibility, attention to detail, and after-sales support are just as important as product specifications.

Challenges

The core hurdles Iberian Surface Solutions needed to overcome were clear:

Uniform Matte Finish: Niche clients demand a consistent, truly matte finish (no variation in gloss between different parts or batches), avoiding "reflective spots" under varying lighting conditions. For example, a custom motorcycle manufacturer required a seamless, flat coating on large fuel tanks and small engine parts, with no visible coating marks.

Enhanced Daily Durability: Previous matte coatings were prone to fingerprints and wear from even slight contact, a major pain point for customers who frequently move furniture. The new solution needed to offer scratch resistance (≥4H), stain resistance (resisting coffee, oil, and cleaning agents), and fingerprint resistance while maintaining a matte finish.

Sustainability and Compliance: To meet the most stringent EU environmental standards, the coating had to be free of heavy metals (chromium, lead) and harmful air pollutants (HAPs) while maintaining a low carbon footprint in the production process. Furthermore, the coating needed to be recyclable (to reduce waste in small-batch production) and compatible with low-temperature curing processes (to help customers reduce energy costs).

Customization Flexibility: Unlike large manufacturers, Iberian Surface Solutions' projects typically involve batches as small as 30 kg and require customized color schemes (e.g., matching original metal fittings in 1920s historic buildings) or functional additives (e.g., adding anti-slip properties to furniture legs). Suppliers needed to respond quickly to these needs.

Additionally, the company's in-house technical team was small, requiring reliance on suppliers for hands-on support in application and formulation adjustments.

Solution

After screening four European coating suppliers, Iberian Surface Solutions ultimately selected Standard International Group (HK) Limited's matte powder coatings—a high-performance, environmentally friendly formulation designed for specialty manufacturing. A key factor in this collaboration was Standard International Group (HK) Limited's focus on partnering with companies in specific sectors, rather than simply providing products:

True Matte Consistency: This product line uses a proprietary blend of matting agents and modified epoxy polyester resins to ensure a uniform matte finish of 5-15 GU for every batch and every application. The coating's micro-roughened surface structure eliminates gloss variations, maintaining shine even on complex curved surfaces, thus resolving the "reflective spots" problem that plagued Iberian's previous solutions.

Superior Durability: The formulation includes a hydrophobic topcoat that effectively prevents fingerprints and stains, while providing up to 5H scratch resistance and 160 inch-pound impact resistance, far exceeding the needs of furniture and motorcycle customers. Furthermore, it resists UV degradation (does not yellow after 2000 hours of accelerated aging) and the erosion of strong cleaning agents, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Sustainability is at its core: this product line is free of harmful air pollutants (HAPs), contains zero heavy metals, and fully complies with REACH regulations, the EU ecolabel, and even Spain's stringent regional environmental standards (Valencia's eco-standards). In addition, it is 98% recyclable (spray residue can be reused), reducing waste from small-batch production, and cures at 170°C (20°C lower than standard matte paints).