Powder coating. A growth sector in metal manufacture was powder coating to protect metal work, especially furniture. The market had an estimated worth of £3 million in the current year, and there were currently 65 outlets that were active in the production of powder coated products. The current price for powder coated product was £7.50 a litre, which would provide Homecolour with a 60 % gross margin. All the large companies bought direct from the two manufacturers that currently supplied paint to this market.