Resene plans $4.8m coating on exports

By ELLEN READ manufacturing writer


Resene Paints plans to be exporting $4.8 million a year worth of a new synthetic raw material in five years.

The privately owned company has won a $270,000 grant from Technology New Zealand for a two-year project to develop an ingredient to improve the application properties of its interior, low-shine, enamel paint.

Resene is keeping the specifics under wraps from competitors but at present imports a version of the material.

Savings of $360,000 a year, based on current usage, are expected once the company is manufacturing its own material.

General manager Nick Nightingale - whose grandfather founded the company in 1946 - said producing it inhouse would be more efficient and mean it would be included in a wider range of paint. This could bring yearly savings up to $1 million.

"It also has tremendous potential as an export product to high value markets looking for improved performance paint lines. We hope to license and sell the product further down the track," he said.

The research project is being led by specially recruited Norwegian chemist Rune Togersen, who has experience using related technologies.

"Resene is a skilful company with sound scientific knowledge and a drive to innovate that keeps it one step ahead of the market. It compares very favourably on the international scene," Togersen said.

Resene's technical manager, Danusia Wypych, said diversification was a goal for the company.

"To become an international supplier of paint ingredients is one of the strategies we are pursuing," she said.

The Naenae-based company was started by Eastbourne builder Ted Nightingale, who couldn't find an alkali-resistant paint to cover his concrete buildings so he made his own in a cement mixer.