IGL Coatings

About IGL Coatings

IGL Coatings is a Malaysian nanotechnology and manufacturing company that develops ceramic coatings, graphene-reinforced surface treatments, and cleaning technologies. Although widely recognised in the automotive detailing sector, its product portfolio also encompasses marine, industrial and other specialised surface-protection applications. Headquartered in Shah Alam, Selangor, the company states that its products are distributed in more than 50 countries.1

Unlike conventional car-care brands, IGL Coatings positions itself as a manufacturing-technology and nanotechnology firm. Its development strategy emphasises high-performance coatings formulated to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and mitigate the environmental and health concerns associated with traditional coating chemistry.2

Overview

Category	Information
Brand	IGL Coatings
Country of origin	Malaysia 🇲🇾
Headquarters	Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Corporate entity	Ominent Sdn Bhd
Founded	2015*
Founder / Managing Partner	Keong Chun Chieh
Industry	Nanotechnology, coatings, chemicals, automotive care
Core technologies	Ceramic coatings, graphene, nanotechnology, low/zero-VOC chemistry
Main markets	Automotive, marine, industrial
Global presence	50+ countries
Quality system	ISO 9001:2015
Notable compliance	REACH compliance
Notable verification	Nanoverify nanotechnology audit/verification
Major product families	Ecocoat, Ecoclean, Ecoshine, Graphene Infinite and related solutions

*Corporate materials identify 2015 as the founding year, while company history traces the first prototype to 2013.

Origins

The origins of IGL Coatings lie with Keong Chun Chieh, a Malaysian electrical engineer who turned to surface-protection chemistry after encountering practical limitations with automotive glass treatments. According to company accounts and local media reports, Keong was driving a Perodua Myvi during heavy rain when he became frustrated with conventional windshield water repellents that required frequent reapplication. He began experimenting with his own formulation to achieve longer-lasting water repellency.3

This experimentation led to the company’s first coating concept. IGL Coatings records indicate that the initial prototype emerged around 2013, followed by the formal establishment of the business in 2015.4 The founding philosophy was to develop a surface-protection product that delivered superior performance while being safer and more environmentally responsible, a principle that continues to underpin the brand.

Founder

Keong Chun Chieh serves as founder and managing partner of IGL Coatings and its parent company, Ominent Sdn Bhd.5 His background in engineering distinguishes the company from typical detailing brands, as development has consistently prioritised formulation, materials science, research and manufacturing over marketing alone.

Keong established the business with an initial investment of approximately RM20,000, eventually growing it into an internationally distributed coatings manufacturer.6 His approach maintains that environmentally responsible chemistry need not compromise performance, a concept that has become a primary competitive differentiator for the brand.7

Corporate philosophy

The central proposition of IGL Coatings combines high performance, nanotechnology and sustainability. While traditional high-performance coatings often rely on formulations with elevated VOC content or undesirable chemicals, IGL Coatings has focused extensively on low-VOC and zero-VOC high-solids formulations.7 The company describes itself as a pioneer of low- and zero-VOC ceramic coatings within the automotive surface protection sector.

Rather than treating sustainability solely as an environmental slogan, the company integrates chemistry into its core brand proposition. Its stated mission is to create products that outperform market alternatives in durability, quality, application, surface protection and environmental responsibility.8

Products and technologies

IGL Coatings manufactures products across several distinct categories, ranging from consumer automotive care to specialised industrial solutions.

Automotive coatings

Automotive coatings remain the company’s most visible segment. IGL Coatings produces ceramic and graphene-reinforced coatings designed for paint, glass, wheels, plastics, trim, leather, fabric, headlights, paint protection film (PPF), vinyl wraps and metal surfaces. The current automotive range includes products such as Ecocoat Kenzo, Arcane, Elixir, EZ, Premier, Quartz, Quartz+, Shield, Trim, Window, Leather, Fabric and Headlight.9

Car-care and preparation

Beyond protective coatings, the company develops products for surface preparation and maintenance, including cleaners, polishes, maintenance sprays, drying aids and restoration compounds. This allows IGL Coatings to offer a comprehensive surface-care ecosystem rather than relying solely on standalone coating products.10

Marine coatings

The company applies its hydrophobic and surface-protection technology to marine environments, where resistance to water, UV exposure, contamination and harsh conditions is critical. This represents a natural extension of its core coating capabilities.

Industrial coatings

IGL Coatings develops specialised coatings for metals, plastics, glass, painted surfaces, industrial equipment and various manufactured substrates. For example, Industrial Solution Mithril Boosted is described as a graphene-reinforced ceramic coating system offering hydrophobicity, oleophobicity, durability and resistance to chemicals and weathering.11 This industrial capability reinforces the company’s identity as a coatings technology provider rather than exclusively an automotive brand.

Ecocoat

Ecocoat is one of the most recognisable product families within the IGL Coatings portfolio, reflecting the brand’s emphasis on combining coating technology with environmental considerations. The range includes varying formulations for different surfaces and protection levels.

Ecocoat Kenzo

Positioned as a flagship professional ceramic coating, Ecocoat Kenzo is described as a 10H graphene-reinforced formulation and one of the company’s pioneering high-performance products.12 It targets professional installers and customers seeking long-term paint protection.

Ecocoat EZ

Ecocoat EZ was designed with a different philosophy from complex multi-layer professional systems. It is intended to be relatively easy to apply as a single-layer coating suitable for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts across multiple surfaces. The current formulation combines ceramic chemistry with Graphene Infinite technology and is marketed as a low-VOC, fast-curing coating usable on paint, wheels, metal and glass.13 An earlier generation was introduced as an 8H graphene-reinforced, one-layer coating with a stated durability of up to 12 months.14 The evolution of EZ illustrates the company’s progressive shift from conventional ceramic chemistry toward graphene-enhanced formulations.

Graphene Infinite

Graphene has become a central technological theme for IGL Coatings. The company introduced Graphene Infinite as a next-generation platform incorporated into newer products including Arcane, EZ, Shield, Window, Trim and Quartz.15 16 This technology represents a strategic focus on advanced materials engineering.

Collaboration with PETRONAS

A significant development in the company’s recent history involves collaboration with PETRONAS. IGL Coatings states that its Graphene Infinite technology incorporates ProShield+™ Lumina, a graphene additive co-developed with PETRONAS Advanced Materials.15 This partnership marks a transition from incorporating commercially available graphene to developing specialised graphene materials specifically for coating formulations.

Nanotechnology and verification

Nanotechnology is fundamental to the corporate identity of IGL Coatings. The company states it was the first in its industry to have its nanotechnology audited and verified through Nanoverify, involving Nano Malaysia Berhad and SIRIM QAS International.17 This verification confirms that formulations operate at the nanoscale to deliver properties such as hydrophobicity, reduced contamination, chemical resistance, enhanced durability and surface slickness.18

Sustainability and compliance

Sustainability is a defining characteristic of the IGL Coatings brand. While many competitors compete primarily on hardness, gloss and hydrophobicity, IGL Coatings adds environmental and chemical sustainability as a major dimension. The company positions itself as a pioneer of low-VOC and zero-VOC high-solids coatings19 and states that its products are compliant with the European Union’s REACH regulatory framework for chemicals.20 This compliance supports its positioning as an international manufacturer rather than solely a local detailing brand.

Certifications

IGL Coatings highlights several forms of certification and verification to substantiate its technology claims:

ISO 9001:2015: The company is certified compliant, reflecting a formal quality-management system.8
REACH compliance: Products meet EU requirements for chemical safety.20
Nanoverify: Independent audit confirming genuine use of nanotechnology.17
TÜV Rheinland: Products have undergone testing by this independent body.22

These credentials support marketing claims centred on technical performance rather than aesthetic results alone.

International expansion

Although originating in Malaysia, international expansion is a defining achievement of IGL Coatings. The company is currently represented in more than 50 countries through a global distributor network.23 Its strategy relies heavily on professional detailers, regional distributors, installer networks, automotive enthusiast communities, trade shows and technical differentiation.

Early expansion efforts included entering the United States market through appearances at SEMA, one of the world’s most influential automotive aftermarket trade shows. Reports describe how the company initially struggled to gain attention before building distributor relationships and establishing a foothold.24 This international-first approach helped transform IGL Coatings from a local startup into a globally recognised specialist coating brand.

Awards and recognition

IGL Coatings has received numerous industry awards since 2016.18 Notable recognitions include:

Export Excellence Award: Received the “Most Promising” award in 2023 and 2019.19
SME Recognition: In 2019, received STAR SOBA Entrepreneurial Spirit, Export Excellence Awards (Most Promising), and SME Corp Malaysia Enterprise 50 recognition.20
SEMA Global Media Award: The Arcane graphene-powered coating received this award at SEMA.21
Sustainable Product Recognition: Flagship Kenzo coating was nominated for Sustainable Product of the Year at Automechanika.21

These accolades reinforce the company’s status as both a technology innovator and a successful Malaysian exporter.

Brand architecture

The brand organises its offerings into several key families:

Ecocoat: Protective ceramic and graphene-reinforced coatings.
Ecoclean: Cleaning and surface preparation products.
Ecoshine: Appearance, maintenance and detailing products.
Industrial Solutions: Specialised coatings for commercial and industrial applications.

Newer branding increasingly revolves around Graphene Infinite as a unifying technology platform connecting these diverse product families.28

Target markets

IGL Coatings serves three distinct market segments:

Professional Detailers: Considered the core audience, these customers prioritise application characteristics, curing time, durability, gloss, hydrophobicity, chemical resistance, labour efficiency, warranty and repeatability. The company maintains a dedicated installer and distributor ecosystem to serve this group.
Automotive Enthusiasts and DIY Users: Products like Ecocoat EZ are deliberately developed to make professional-grade ceramic protection accessible to non-professionals.12
Industrial Customers: Commercial clients require specific characteristics including chemical and weather resistance, corrosion protection, adhesion and long-term surface integrity. This segment allows the company to leverage its underlying technology beyond automotive applications.

Competitive positioning

In a market saturated with premium ceramic coating brands from Japan, Korea, the United States and Europe, IGL Coatings differentiates itself through a broader value proposition. Rather than competing solely on performance, durability and appearance, the company emphasises nanotechnology, graphene integration, sustainability, low/zero VOC formulations and global manufacturing capabilities. This explains why IGL Coatings consistently describes itself as a manufacturing-tech or technology company rather than merely an automotive-care brand.25

Malaysian identity

IGL Coatings is explicitly positioned as a Malaysian technology and export brand. Originating in Malaysia before expanding internationally, the company emphasises local manufacturing, engineering talent, government export awards, partnerships with national technology organisations and participation in global trade shows. In 2025, the company celebrated its 10th anniversary, presenting its evolution from a small engineering venture into an international business as a central part of its corporate narrative.4

Strategic evolution: The graphene era

The latest phase of development centres strongly on graphene. In 2025, the company relaunched several products using Graphene Infinite technology, including EZ and Shield, alongside a reformulated Window coating.22 By 2026, this ecosystem continued to expand with products like Quartz, described as a professional-grade ceramic coating built around polysiloxane chemistry and Graphene Infinite.30

This trajectory suggests a strategic shift from an experimental surface coating venture (2013–2015) to an automotive ceramic-coating company (2015–2020), then to a nanotechnology and graphene specialist (2020–2024), and finally to an integrated sustainable materials and coatings technology company (2025–present).

Corporate structure

The consumer-facing brand is IGL Coatings, while the legal corporate entity is Ominent Sdn Bhd (company number 1127091-U). The listed headquarters are located at No. 7, Jalan Majistret U1/26, Hicom Glenmarie, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.26 This distinction is relevant for corporate research: Ominent Sdn Bhd serves as the corporate entity, while IGL Coatings functions as the flagship consumer and technology brand.

Significance

IGL Coatings is notable for several reasons within the surface protection industry:

International Orientation: Created in Malaysia but built a global distributor network rather than remaining domestic.27
Technology Focus: Emphasises formulation, nanotechnology and materials science over simple aesthetic marketing.
Integrated Sustainability: Low/zero-VOC chemistry and REACH compliance are central to product strategy rather than afterthoughts.19
Market Diversification: Marine and industrial applications provide a broader addressable market than automotive detailing alone.
Materials Innovation: The Graphene Infinite platform and PETRONAS collaboration represent advanced materials engineering.15
Ecosystem Approach: Relies on a professional installer and distributor network internationally rather than exclusive retail sales.

Ultimately, IGL Coatings is best understood not merely as a car ceramic coating brand, but as a Malaysian surface-technology company whose competitive identity lies at the intersection of coatings chemistry, nanotechnology, graphene innovation, sustainability and manufacturing capability.29

References

This profile was compiled with AI assistance and reviewed before publishing. How we use AI

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