“Make the company more resilient in times of crisis”: Interview with Václav Drbout, CEO of Czech coatings producer Viton

What specific challenges or unmet needs in the Central European coatings market are you aiming to address with your newly expanded R&D capabilities?

Václav Drbout: We are seeing growing demand in Central Europe for advanced coatings for plastics and composites that offer high quality standards and maximum environmental friendliness. We are seeing growing interest in products that use recycled or waste raw materials. We believe that the circular economy and recycling are not just our wish, but a real demand in the Central European market.

Are there specific customer segments or industries you’re targeting with your expanded product portfolio?

Drbout: The global volume of plastic production has exceeded the volume of steel production over several decades and continues to grow year after year. Therefore, our focus on the plastics and composites industry is a logical step towards long-term growth. We primarily focus on colouring recycled PET polymers and producing unsaturated polyesters. Additionally, we develop new products for PS, ABS, PC, PE, and PVC, specifically for the furniture and automotive industries.

How do you plan to accelerate time-to-market for new or innovated products through improved collaboration between R&D and production?

Drbout: Using AI, we have significantly sped up processes across the company. This has enabled us to refine our R&D processes, reducing the time needed to achieve our goals. Production process planning is now more accurate, organised and efficient. Daily short coordination meetings ensure faster decision-making.

You mention efforts to maximise the use of waste and renewable raw materials. What concrete steps are being taken to achieve this?

Drbout: We are not merely making an effort. We are actively utilizing waste and renewable raw materials, such as zinc dust and PET flakes, on a regular basis. Our objective is to expand our use of recyclable raw materials by incorporating additional types, including used natural oils and waste powder pigments.

In your view, how ready is the Central European market to adopt more sustainable coatings technologies?

Drbout: As ESG reporting becomes more widespread, there will be an increasing demand for sustainable technologies across the market. Although VITON has no legal obligations at this stage, we are already receiving requests from business partners and investors. Our aim is not only to be prepared, but also to actively contribute to improved resource utilisation and a better environment for us all.

What prompted your company to move beyond metal coatings and invest in solutions for plastics and composites?

Drbout: In the field of metal coatings and corrosion protection, our broad product portfolio covers almost all common customer needs. In this segment, our focus is primarily on product innovation and expanding business activities through establishing joint ventures in EU member states. Our second pillar is the plastics and composites segment, which should make the company more resilient in times of crisis in the future. This is driven not only by customer interest in our flexible services and deliveries, but also by the higher added value in this segment.

• Save article in bookmarks
• Print this article