Coatings play a critical role in everyday life and industry. Whether it’s the paint in our homes, the ink on a newspaper, the white lines on a road or the markings on a sports pitch, coatings are everywhere.
Far beyond simple aesthetics where we apply a new coat of coloured paint at home for a Spring refresh, coatings are functional. When applied as yellow lines on a road or words on a page they communicate vital information and across industries such as construction, DIY and packaging they provide essential protection, enhancing performance and adding long-term value to products and services.
Coatings are fundamentally designed to protect and perform. Acting as a barrier they can protect surfaces exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as moisture, UV radiation, and temperature changes extending the lifespan of materials and reducing maintenance costs. This is particularly important when used in infrastructure and packaging where durability and reliability are essential but are perhaps equally important in the home with the threat of dirty hands and pets.
Alongside protection, coatings significantly improve functionality and this is where innovation and research and development in manufacturing plays a significant role. Advanced formulations can deliver properties such as extended shelf-life, improved adhesion and enhanced application alongside sustainability gains.
Through Maker, our specialist liquid and powder contract manufacturing company, we serve sectors including coatings, inks, plastic, and construction. Over the last three decades we have worked with clients to solve their formulation challenges whether that’s responding to market trends, addressing changing regulations around biocide use, improving spray application performance, or manufacturing products for companies without the capabilities and facilities to do so themselves.
The coatings industry is resilient, and by evolving and leading research and development into new formulations and products we’re helping ensure its stability in the UK and beyond. As an SME we have continued to invest in skills, capabilities, and equipment at our site in Bury. And by partnering with our raw material suppliers, we’ve been able to adapt and meet changing customer demands, maximising efficiencies and improving sustainability despite global uncertainties and economic challenges.
Sustainability is a key driver in innovation. With industries increasingly seeking more environmentally friendly solutions, including low-VOC (low volatile organic compounds) and water-based, we’re continually researching more sustainable solutions that deliver the high quality, durable products our customers expect without compromising on performance. Our research-led development and custom formulations are essential to staying ahead of regulatory requirements and evolving customer expectations.
Ultimately, coatings and paints are a cornerstone of modern manufacturing, innovation, and product development. For organisations like Rakem Group, combining technical knowledge and experience with tailored solutions ensures customers receive coatings that truly meet the varied demands of today’s industries.
