Axalta Launches Cerulean Waterborne Wood Coatings

Axalta Coating Systems’ Axalta Building Products division announces the launch of Cerulean, its latest generation of waterborne industrial wood coatings.

As the successor to Zenith, Cerulean brings the best of both worlds to dealers and OEMs, with a luxurious finish that gives the feel of a solventborne solution. This meets the needs of customers as they strive to find ways to improve environmental conditions, including by using low-VOC products, without sacrificing performance.

Cerulean coatings are easy to apply, spray-ready, and have excellent flow and leveling. They can be applied using standard equipment and are compatible with Axalta’s proprietary X-pert system, a computerized dispensing platform that supports reliable and precise color mixing.

All Cerulean products meet or exceed KCMA standards and are in Axalta’s lowest VOC emission category, with emissions below 200g/L.

The Cerulean family of products released include:
• Premium waterborne topcoats (Flat, Matte, Satin, Soft, Semi-gloss, Gloss)
• Premium waterborne pigments (Matte, Satin, Soft, Semi-gloss, Gloss)
• Waterborne primers (Neutral Primer, White Primer)

Cerulean will debut at the International Woodworking Expo in Atlanta, August 6-9. While the family has broad appeal, it is particularly important to dealers and OEMs of kitchen and bath cabinets and furniture. Other use cases include architectural millwork and store fixtures.

“Previously, the choice between solventborne and waterborne coatings for wood coatings was considered a trade-off: the highest quality finish versus better safety and environmental performance,” said Wade Arnold, vice president and general manager of Axalta Architectural Products. "With Cerulean, however, we're showing the industry that they no longer have to choose. Cerulean offers the benefit of lower VOCs compared to standard solvent-based solutions while maintaining comparable feel and durability."