The use and improvements of coatings in the new millennium will still be driven by government regulation regarding VOC's, environmental protection, and worker safety. This driver, aided by technological improvements in surface application, preparation, and equipment, will spawn new paint resin technologies. Because of increasing costs of painting and corrosion protection, increased effort will focus upon
extending coating life by systemizing maintenance painting, and improving quality with "certified" contractors and inspectors.
The use of the internet by the coatings community will change the way the "business" of painting is done. Procurement of materials and services will be done quickly and economically on the internet industry portal websites.