Pre-painted steel (also known as coil-coated steel or color-coated steel) is a flat steel product (sheet, strip, or coil) that has had a paint coating applied to its surface in a continuous, automated factory process before it is fabricated into an end product.

On Wednesday, January 28, the Executive Management Committee (Gecex) of Brazil’s Foreign Trade Chamber approved an anti-dumping (AD) duty on imports of pre-painted steel from China and India.

The new measure will be in effect for five years, according to a press released by the committee.

In addition, the committee also approved an increase in import duty on nine types of steel products to 25% for 12 months, in order to protect domestic steel producers. Current duty on these products ranges between 10.8% to 12.6%.

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Pre-painted Steel Applications

Pre-painted steel is ubiquitous in modern architecture and manufacturing:

• Building & Construction (70% of usage):
  • Roofing and Wall Cladding for commercial, industrial, and agricultural buildings.
  • Composite Insulated Panels.
  • Garage Doors, Roller Shutters, and Rainwater Goods.
• Appliances:
  • White Goods: Refrigerator, washing machine, and dryer cabinets.
  • HVAC Units: Housings for air conditioners and heaters.
• Transportation:
  • Car Interior Parts, body panels for trailers, and some vehicle exteriors.
  • Shipping Containers.
• Consumer Goods: Office furniture, shelving, light fixtures, and electrical enclosures.

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Comparison with Alternatives

Feature	Pre-Painted Steel (Coil Coated)	Galvanized Steel	Stainless Steel	Post-Painted Steel
Primary Protection	Organic Paint/Polymer Coating (color + barrier).	Zinc Coating (sacrificial anode).	Alloy Composition (chromium oxide layer).	Paint applied after forming.
Corrosion Resistance	Excellent, but depends on coating system. Can be scratched through.	Very good (sacrificial). White rust can form.	Excellent (inherent).	Variable, depends on application quality.
Aesthetics	Excellent. Wide range of permanent colors/finishes.	Metallic gray/speckled. Often used as a substrate.	Metallic (brushed, polished). Limited color without PVD.	Can be good, but less consistent.
Cost	Moderate to High (for premium coatings).	Low to Moderate.	Very High.	Low initial cost, but higher labor/waste.
Formability	Good, but paint film can crack on very tight bends.	Excellent.	Varies by grade.	Painted after forming, so no issue.