The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued the fourth in a series of new patents assigned to Ecology Coatings Inc. for its portfolio of environmentally friendly UV-curable coating products. The new patents; numbers 7,151,123, 7,153,892, 7,192,992, and 7,238,731, primarily are geared toward the automotive industry. The patented technologies produce coatings that reduce energy use, as well as eliminate harmful pollutants used in the coatings industry. According to the company, the new coatings successfully adhere to thermoplastic olefin (TPO) and metal surfaces without a primer, removing a high-energy and time intensive step in the manufacturing process. The new formulations will now allow original equipment manufacturers to apply either clear or colored finishes to materials, improving the aesthetic and barrier qualities of products from car bumpers to trim components. The coatings can be applied with normal spray equipment.

For more information, call 248.723.2223 or visit www.ecologycoatings.com.