Strict federal regulation of volatile organic compound emissions is leading to an increase in the use of ultraviolet light-curable coatings. Valued for its superior finish, speed, efficiency and environmental benefits, the use of UV and EB coatings technology continues to gain favor in applications as diverse as automotive OEM and refinish, wood flooring and cabinetry and aerospace.
Coatings World, April, 2005
http://www.coatingsworld.com/articles/2005/04/radcure-coatings-market.php

Advantages of UV-curable coatings include:
- Coatings can cure fully within seconds of UV exposure, leading to
rapid production.

- UV systems use less floor space than conventional, solvent-borne systems.

- Neither drying ovens nor high exhaust air flows during coating,
reducing utility costs.

- Elimination of VOC and HAP emissions can eliminate regulatory burdens.

- Although UV-cured coatings cost more per gallon, much less paint is
required to achieve the same dry mil thickness.

- UV-curable coatings are durable and resist degradation from
moisture, chemicals and sunlight.

- Frequent cleaning of equipment is not necessary because coatings
will not cure without UV exposure.

- Potential to coat heat sensitive substrates.
UV Curable Coatings Marketing Kit
http://mydocs.epri.com/docs/public/000000000001000138.pdf


METAL
UV-refinish processes do have application beyond the traditional body shop environment. UV coatings may also be used for the OEM end-of-line assembly, the mobile dent and chip repair services, and in auto
auction and port of entry facilities.
Metal Manufacturing: 01 April 2005
http://www.metalfinishing.com/editors_choice/articles/050405_Maloney.htm

UV-cured coatings are widely used to provide corrosion resistance to galvanized metal tubing. It is also used on metallized plastics. In addition, UV-cured coatings have been formulated for coil coating, in which outstanding resistance and flexibility have been achieved. Since 1975, Coors has been using UV curing in full-scale can production. The initial push to convert to UV was caused by a desire to increase can printing speeds, reduce energy consumption and lower air emissions.
“UV Curing of Coatings on Metal”
EPRl Center for Materials Fabrication Vol. 1, No. 16, 1987 Reprinted August, 1991
http://www.p2pays.org/ref/26/25750.pdf

PLASTIC
An excerpt from PF Online "Automotive Applications of UV Coatings" by Kevin Joesel: The specific automotive application where UV has become the standard technology is in the automotive forward lighting industry, where UV coatings have been used for more than 15 years and now command 80% of the market. Headlamps are composed of two primary components that need to be coated -- the polycarbonate lens and the reflector housing. The lens requires a very hard, scratch-resistant coating to protect the polycarbonate from the elements and physical abuse. The reflector housing has a UV basecoat (primer) that seals the substrate and provides an ultra-smooth surface for metallization. The reflector basecoat market is now essentially 100% UV cured. The primary reasons for adoption have been improved productivity, small process footprint and superior coating-performance properties. Other applications include: exterior plastic parts and body panels, OEM clear coats, automotive interiors, coatings for alloy wheels and wheel covers, clearcoats over large molded-in-color parts and for under-hood parts. 
“The Evolution of UV Coatings Toward the Automotive Market”
A Technology Review Article:
Automotive Applications of UV-Cured Coatings
http://www.pfonline.com/articles/040405.html

WOOD
UV/EB curable liquid coatings are used for various wood applications including: abrasion resistant flooring, assemble yourself furniture, sealers and basecoats, particleboard (EB), simulated wood grain transfer laminates (EB), trim moldings, and baseboard. A vacuum application technique is used to apply the UV coatings to trim moldings and baseboard. Advantages of UV/EB coatings include fast line speed, excellent stain resistance, and durability. 
“An Introduction to Ultraviolet Light (UV) and Electron Beam (EB) Curable Coating Technology”
George Pasternack, Ph.D.
http://www.hgexperts.com/article.asp?id=5003