Unsung heroes in the paint industry: is "Nano" the next? (Q&A with Phil Phillips).

When it comes to measuring and evaluating trends in the coatings, adhesives, sealants and plastics industries, we tend to rate items by size and volume. That is, we say that the rate of waterborne acrylic exterior house paint growth will be 2.1% over the next five years, or that the growth rate of two-component urethane color basecoat for the GM Chevrolet Astro Van will be 3.2% over the same time period. We usually consider end-use application, resin specie and formulative technology when describing an opportunity.

But what about the "unsung heroes" that help significa