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 Table of Contents January/February 2024 • Vol. 29, No. 1
Cover photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore

32 Architectural Decorative Coatings

Photo courtesy of Behr

36 Additives Market

38 CPMA Elects New Officers, Reflects on Color Pigments Industry

40 Pigments Market

42 Production Equipment

COLUMNS DEPARTMENTS
Business Corner.................................................... 20 Editorial.................................................................. 6
Global Supply Chain Transitions & the Changing Role of As We Go................................................................ 8
Countries in SE Asia – Part 1 Fresh Paint............................................................ 10
New Products....................................................... 18
International Coatings Scene................................ 22 Industry News....................................................... 45
Europe Report • Reporting and Roadmapping with the BCF People in the News............................................... 46
Latin America Report • Brazil Adopts Sustainability Suppliers Corner................................................... 48
Reporting Requirement Final Coat.............................................................. 50
India/Asia Pacific Report • China’s Architectural Paint
& Coatings Sector: Tough Days Ahead
Africa Report • Housing Sector Expected to Drive Africa
Paints Market in 2024
Russia Report • Storm in Russian Coatings Industry has
Passed, But Dark Clouds are on the Horizon

ADVERTISING SECTIONS
Classified Ads....................................................... 49 Advertising Index.................................................. 49

Coatings World (ISSN 1527-1129) is published Monthly except Jan/Feb, May/Jun, Jul/Aug and Nov/Dec by Rodman Media Corp., 25 Philips Parkway, Montvale, NJ
07645 USA. Phone: (201) 825-2552; Fax (201) 391-1008. Periodical postage paid at Montvale, NJ, 07645 USA and additional mailing offices. Publications Mail Agreement
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4 | Coatings World ­www.coatingsworld.com January/February 2024

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 Editors Page

Architectural Coatings A Rodman Media Publication

25 Philips Parkway, Ste. 200 • Montvale, NJ 07645 USA

Market Rebounds (201) 825-2552 • Fax: (201) 391-1008

Web site: www.coatingsworld.com

EDITOR

T
he global architectural coatings market was valued at $63.3 billion Kerry Pianoforte • [email protected]

in 2020, and is projected to reach $107.9 billion by 2030, growing CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER
Tom Branna • [email protected]
at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2021 to 2030, according to a recent
ASSISTANT EDITOR
report from Allied Market Research. Lianna Albrizio • [email protected]
According to the report, the impetus for growth in the global architec- ART DEPARTMENT
tural coatings market is the construction boom, especially in the emerg- Michele Catalano
ing economies of the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, changes in consumer INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS
preferences and growth in awareness among people regarding VOC emis- Terry Knowles (Europe)
Charles W. Thurston (Latin America/Americas
sions from architectural coatings also drive the market. Another factor
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
cited was the shift from solventborne to waterborne coating formulations, David Savastano • Gary Shawhan • Steve McDaniel
which is anticipated to contribute to the growth of global architectural EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
coatings market during the forecast period. Analysts from Allied Market Jim Berry (Berry Environmental)
Research reported that the increased use of green coatings is also expected Joseph Cristiano (consultant)
Thomas Frauman (consultant)
to create several growth opportunities for the market. Joseph Prane (consultant)
This month I interviewed experts from Behr, Benjamin Moore and PPG Isadore Rubin (consultant)
on the state of the market. As the market begins to recover from the nega- Richard M. Tepper (PPG Industries)
Shelby F. Thames (University of So. Mississippi)
tive impact of the pandemic, paint manufacturers are cautiously optimistic
for 2024.
According to Todd Gatesy, general manager, U.S. Stores, Dealer and
The Home Depot, PPG Architectural Coatings, in the residential space,
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
the National Association of Realtors forecasts 1.48 million housing starts Rodman J. Zilenziger, Jr.
(single- and multi-family) in 2024. “In commercial painting, the return to [email protected]
office movement and repurposing of commercial spaces add to the demand
CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER
for pro painters. As a result, we expect that the demand for pro painters Matthew J. Montgomery
will continue.” [email protected]
“In 2023, there were, and continue to be, several economic factors im-
GROUP PUBLISHER / ADVERTISING SALES
pacting the home improvement and architectural coatings categories,” said Dale Pritchett • [email protected]
Rob Sheehan, director of sales Professional Segments at Benjamin Moore.
“These factors include, but are not limited to, historically low home sales ADVERTISING SALES (U.S.)
Kim Clement Rafferty • [email protected]
and DIYers shifting spend from home improvement to travel and leisure.
The circumstances have led to a modest contraction of the architectural ADVERTISING SALES (Hong Kong, Taiwan & China)
coatings market.” Ringier Trade Publishing Ltd
401-405 4/F New Victory House
However, Sheehan noted, “in comparison to other segments, the com- 93-103 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
mercial segment was the strongest in 2023 followed by the residential (852) 2369 8788 • Fax: (852) 2869 5919
repaint market. We are anticipating a modest increase in the second half [email protected]

of 2024.” PRODUCTION MANAGER

Patricia Hilla • [email protected]

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Barb Schrafel • [email protected]

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Paul Simansky • [email protected]

[email protected]
facebook.com/coatingsworld
instagram.com/coatingsworld
linkedin.com/company/coatings-world
twitter.com/coatingsworld

6 | Coatings World www.coatingsworld.com January/February 2024

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 Custom Milling and Consulting LLC

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 As We Go To Press

PPG to Review Strategic Alternatives

For Silica Products Business

P
PG has engaged Morgan Stanley & or provide updates on the progress or and anti-corrosion additives for paints
Co. LLC as financial advisor to as- status of the review unless and until it and coatings.
sist in a review of strategic alterna- deems further disclosure is appropriate PPG has been a pioneer in the devel-
tives for its silica products business. or required. opment and manufacturing of silicas
PPG’s silica products business, which The silica products business is led by since the 1930s. PPG has established
operates within the company’s specialty about 350 employees and manufactures one of the industry’s broadest portfolios
coatings and materials strategic busi- products through dedicated facilities of precipitated silica products. This in-
ness unit, manufactures and supplies in Lake Charles, LA and Delfzijl, The cludes the well-known PPG HI-SIL line,
precipitated silica products to major Netherlands. In addition, there is small and the more recent line of PPG AGILON
manufacturers around the world as per- batch processing at a portion of a PPG fa- performance silica products, which is a
formance-enhancing additives. In 2023, cility in Barberton, OH and part of a PPG breakthrough technology that enables
the silica products business represented facility in Monroeville, PA that includes a industrial rubber and tire makers to en-
between 1-2% of PPG’s total net sales. laboratory, pilot plant, and the leadership hance rubber performance, simplify their
Tim Knavish, PPG chairman and chief and administrative team offices for the manufacturing processes, and promote
executive officer, said, “We are explor- business. Key end-uses include tire, indus- a healthier environment. That legacy of
ing strategic alternatives for our silica trial and silicone rubber applications; mi- leadership and innovation continues to-
products business to maximize its value croporous fillers for battery separators; day and is driven by collaborative rela-
for our shareholders and to ensure its free-flow and carrier agents for food, tionships with customers in numerous
continued success. The business has a animal feed, and agricultural and indus- industries, including many partnerships
well-established position in a growing trial chemicals; and flatting, thickening that have thrived for decades. CW
market, proven innovation, leading pro-
prietary products, and dedicated and
talented employees. Index to Companies
“Throughout our long history in sili-
cas, our employees have consistently led This index gives the starting page for a department or feature with a sig-
the business forward, partnering with our nificant reference to a manufacturer of paint, coatings, adhesives and sealants
customers to meet their evolving needs. Subsidiaries are indexed under their own names.
However, given the businesses distinct
product portfolio, customer base and op-
AkzoNobel............................................................................................10, 24, 50
erating characteristics, we believe that it
may be better suited to operate as a core Axalta.............................................................................................................. 10
business within another company or as a
stand-alone entity. Throughout this pro- Beckers............................................................................................................. 10
cess, we will continue to fully support
the business and we remain committed Behr................................................................................................................. 32
to providing our silicas customers with
Benjamin Moore.............................................................................................. 32
high-quality products and services.
“As we have done consistently, we will Hempel...................................................................................................... 10, 18
continue our ongoing strategic assess-
ment of all our businesses, ensuring each Jotun................................................................................................................ 10
business continually delivers increased
value for our customers and sharehold- PPG...................................................................................................8, 10, 24, 32
ers, and fits the growth and investment
RPM................................................................................................................ 10
strategies for the company,” said Knavish.
PPG expects to complete the review of Sherwin-Williams..................................................................................10, 18, 24
strategic alternatives by mid-2024. There
is no assurance that the review will result Sniezka Group.................................................................................................. 10
in any transaction or other outcome. PPG
does not intend to disclose developments Weg............................................................................................................ 10, 18

8 | Coatings World ­www.coatingsworld.com January/February 2024

08 AsWeGo 0124.indd 8 1/24/24 1:04 PM

 Are You Gearing Up To Replace
PFAS in Your Formulation?

Siltech can show you where

Silicones can help.

Your Technology
- Our Chemistry

Siltech Corporation
Toronto, ON, Canada
www.siltech.com
+1 416-424-4567

full page template.indd 1 1/3/24 5:11 PM

 Fresh Paint

RPM Opens Innovation Center of Excellence

R
PM International Inc. has offi-
cially opened the doors to its new
Innovation Center of Excellence
in Greensboro, NC. This 60,000-square-
foot, state-of-the-art facility is the first
shared research and development center
for RPM companies.
It is designed to foster partnership and
harness collective expertise among RPM
companies to accelerate innovation for
their customers. The facility represents
a continuation of the increased collabo-
ration that has been developed through
MAP 2025 initiatives.
The Innovation Center of Excellence is
home to many of the industry’s most ac-
complished chemists and technical minds
and is strategically located near institu-
tions that produce top talent. Features Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new RPM Innovation Center of Excellence. (Photo: Business Wire)
include liquid and powder application
labs, resin and analytical labs, a sample and energy. T h e s o f t w a r e d o e s n ’t r e q u i r e
production area, and a formulation lab, The AI-based software has been in complex integration and, as condi-
among other resources. It will also serve development for two years and an exclu- tions change, it continually adapts its
as a destination for on-site customer sivity agreement has just been signed by recommended parameters.
training and application trials. both parties, who joined forces after first “Collaborating with a startup like
“RPM companies have long been crossing paths during AkzoNobel’s Paint coatingAI – who are pushing boundar-
known as innovation leaders in the mar- the Future start-up challenge in 2021. ies to transform the coatings industry –
kets they serve,” Frank C. Sullivan, RPM “We’re delighted to team up with means we can accelerate our own powder
chairman and CEO, said. “The Innovation coatingAI and strengthen our techni- revolution and provide services like no
Center of Excellence builds upon this cal service capabilities,” said Remco other,” added Maassen van den Brink.
legacy by allowing these companies to le- Maassen van den Brink, marketing di- “It’s the latest example of how we con-
verage their collective strengths to deliver rector of AkzoNobel’s Powder Coatings stantly innovate and look for new ways
solutions more quickly and efficiently business. “We proactively look for ways to offer customers the most progressive
than they could do on their own.” to support customers in becoming more and sustainable solutions.”
sustainable in their operations and this
AkzoNobel Powder will significantly improve our ability to Hempel Introduces
Coatings Partners with help them get better results – while con- Carbon Footprint Data
coatingAI to Explore New tributing to our own ambition of halving On Product Data Sheets
Frontiers in Sustainability carbon emissions across the value chain Hempel A/S is a first mover within
Software co-developed by AkzoNobel’s by 2030.” the paints and coatings industry, shar-
Powder Coatings business and coatingAI “The collaboration with AkzoNobel ing carbon footprint data on its prod-
is using artificial intelligence to help cus- has helped to accelerate our vision since uct data sheets. Hempel provides
tomers improve the application process day one,” added Marlon Boldrini, CEO Sustainability Product Scorecards to
and reduce their carbon footprint. of coatingAI. “Our solution, built on support customers in delivering on their
The industry-first technology, called the power of artificial intelligence and sustainability commitments.
Flightpath, optimizes equipment settings AkzoNobel’s technical expertise, will not In an industry first, Hempel intro-
to reduce defects and overspray and im- only increase efficiency for their custom- duced a carbon footprint metric on
prove powder consumption – helping to ers, but also drive greater sustainability its product data sheets, enabling cus-
reduce costs, avoid rework and save time within the powder coatings industry.” tomers to easily compare products.

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 Fresh Paint

Hempel’s Sustainability Product Sustainability Product Scorecards are include the information directly on our
Scorecards provide custom- available for all of Hempel’s products, product data sheets.”
ers data on both a product’s providing its customers with sustain- The scope of the carbon footprint on
benefits and its sustainabil- ability decision-points when deciding on the Product Data Sheets includes raw ma-
ity impacts, enabling them to make an which Hempel solution to choose. terials, in-bound transport to the Hempel
informed choice. To support customers further, carbon factory, Hempel manufacturing process-
Sustainability Product Scorecards footprint data has now been included on es, and any volatile organic compounds
drive Hempel’s future product portfo- the product data sheets of more than 160 (VOCs) emitted during and after the
lio towards better sustainability options products, spanning the Marine, Energy application of the product, thereby ac-
for its customers. The scorecards share and Infrastructure assortments. The am- counting for the most significant impacts
metrics on Environment, Circularity bition is to cover all Hempel’s solutions across the value chain.
and Chemicals. in the Marine, Energy and Infrastructure “Our customers have welcomed the
Hempel is committed to supporting industries in the first quarter of 2024. transparency and the scorecard is actively
its customers on their sustainability jour- “Sustainability is not only our jour- used across our company from customer
neys, and as part of its Double Impact ney,” said Monica Li Avram, director, engagements to steering the course for
strategy, aims to hold sustainability lead- solution management – infrastructure at our future solutions,” said Emily Adair,
ership positions in its chosen segments. Hempel A/S. “We see an increased num- senior sustainability project manager.
By providing sustainability data along- ber of requests from our customers on
side its solutions, Hempel is sending a detailed sustainability data on our solu- Beckers Takes Second
strong signal to its customers that it has a tions, both as a requirement for their In European Diversity
clear focus on sustainability. projects, or as a differentiator. We have Leaders Ranking
Sustainability Product Scorecards are been providing our customers with the Beckers Group has confirmed its position
a tool to quickly and easily measure the carbon footprint data related to their as one of Europe’s diversity leaders in the
overall environmental impact of various annual spend or a specific project for a latest rankings released this month by
paint systems. while now. It was a natural next step to The Financial Times.

SpecMetrix® systems deliver real-time absolute coating layer thickness data of unprecedented accuracy.
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primers, top coats, and clear coats down to sub-micron levels in all manufacturing and lab environments,
helping global manufacturers decrease costs by reducing waste streams, changeovers, and inspection times.

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12 | Coatings World ­www.coatingsworld.com January/February 2024

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 Fresh Paint
The rankings, which are based on data equability, ethnicity, disability and sexual little steps that ultimately make
collected from a sample of more than orientation (LGBTQ+). the difference.”
100,000 staff across all sectors, rate the In addition to the survey, other indica-
success of Diversity & Inclusion efforts tors of commitment to diversity were tak- AkzoNobel’s Yacht
by employers. Metrics looked at include en into account. This included the share Coatings Business Opens
gender, ethnicity, LGBTQ+, age and dis- of women in management positions, di- New Research Center
ability, with scores based on surveys versity policy, website, social media, and Awlgrip and International, two of
completed by current employees. It was actions organized to promote diversity. AkzoNobel’s leading yacht brands,
compiled in collaboration with Statista Beckers scored particularly highly continue to set the standard in cus-
and is a well-recognized and respected on gender-ratio, with actions such as tomer support and innovation with
benchmark in the industry. the allyship program and various well- its new Application Research Center
Beckers jumped to second for the sec- being initiatives at sites contributing to (ARC), a world-class center of excel-
tor Oil and Gas Operations, Mining, and a culture where leaders from tradition- lence offering a cutting-edge location
Chemicals, and in Germany, it is now ally under-represented groups can emerge to trial and test products, systems and
fourth across all sectors. Beckers Group and thrive. technology alongside first-rate product
entered the Top 30 for all EU organiza- “At Beckers we are passionate about application training.
tions regardless of industry, coming in at building an inclusive environment and AkzoNobel has invested in a new ex-
28 of 850 companies ranked. driving awareness about diversity and tension of the Yacht Paint Application
In an online survey, a sample of equity in the workplace,” said Judith Center (YPAC) located in Southampton,
Beckers colleagues were first asked to Jungmann, Beckers CHRO. “We saw UK, to provide new innovative products,
what extent they think their employer that the concept of allyship has resonat- applications and techniques to profes-
promotes diversity on a scale from 0 to ed with our colleagues immediately and sional and DIY applicators. The project
10. They were then prompted to give has inspired the urge to change things has been split into three phases and is due
their opinion on a series of statements – even outside of work – for the better. to be completed in 2025.
surrounding the topics of age, gender, This is a long-term effort with lots of In early spring, two new spray booths

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and an adjoining laboratory application technique for the next 20 The transaction includes a produc-
were brought online as part years and beyond.” tion, quality control and R&D facility in
of the first phase of develop- Ingleburn, Australia; a production facility
ment, offering an opportunity Axalta Named Exclusive in Dandendong, Australia; sales offices
for applicators to work with AkzoNobel Supplier for BMW Group’s in Sydney and Auckland, New Zealand;
to help improve their efficiency and en- Private Paint Label and warehouses in Brisbane and Perth,
hance their application skills while also ColorSystem in EMEA Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand.
increasing capacity for the onsite R&D Axalta Coating Systems has been named PPG, under the ENNIS-FLINT by
team to fast-track new product devel- exclusive supplier for BMW Group’s pri- PPG brand, is a leading manufacturer and
opment and improve response times to vate paint label, ColorSystem, currently supplier of a broad range of traffic safety
customer queries. in 15 Europeans countries plus South product solutions.
Phase two, due to begin in 2024, will Africa. The agreement includes BMW The Traffic Solutions business was
include a pioneering climatic control Group’s network of 730 dealerships and established by PPG in January 2021 fol-
spray booth with the ability to raise and collision repair partners. lowing the December 2020 acquisition of
lower temperature and humidity to rep- BMW Group’s ColorSystem is en- Ennis-Flint.
licate climatic conditions anywhere in gineered to be one of the world’s most “We are laser-focused on driving busi-
the world. technologically advanced paint sys- ness growth, and we regularly review
Further developments in line with tems. It offers refinishing solutions our portfolio to ensure we are in the best
market trends will be implemented that meet BMW Group’s original position to continue meeting our custom-
in 2025. manufacturer standards. ers’ needs and growing profitably,” said
The new facility, designed in combina- “The BMW Group selects only the Ed Baiden, PPG global general manager,
tion with long term technology product best products for its dealerships and col- Traffic Solutions. “We want to concen-
roadmaps, will also explore how robotic lision repair partners to ensure the high- trate our investments on strategic growth
applications could be used to help im- est standards of quality, efficiency and areas so that we may continue to be a
prove productivity and repeatable quality. sustainability,” said Troy Weaver, senior leader in the industry as a premier pro-
The original Southampton YPAC vice president, global refinish, Axalta. vider of traffic safety product solutions.”
opened in 2008 and has completed train- “Following a rigorous process, Axalta
ing on a variety of products and skills for has proven it can maintain exceptional The Śnieżka Group Joins
more than 600 trainees. The center has a service for the BMW Group’s dealer- the Polish ESG Association
long history of developing industry lead- ships and customers. We look forward The Śnieżka Group has joined the group
ing products and systems for Awlgrip to building a mutually beneficial, strong of members of the Polish ESG Association,
and International. and future-proof relationship as well as a platform that connects organizations,
The laboratories have put many growing the ColorSystem network to local governments, corporations and
leading products to the test, including even more collision repair shops and in smaller businesses around the ESG idea,
Awlcraft SE, Perfection Pro, Awlgrip more countries.” creating space for cooperation, exchange
HDT, Awlfair SF, One UP, Toplac Plus, As part of the agreement, Axalta will of ideas and common development.
Awlcraft 3000 and next generation foul- also provide its latest, innovative Fast Activities undertaken within the as-
ing control products like B-Free Explore. Cure Low Energy technology paint sys- sociation will support the implementa-
“The ARC will set a new standard tem. This system has the potential to tion of the company’s goals set as part
of research and development and train- reduce carbon equivalent emissions and of Śnieżka’s Sustainable Development
ing,” Jemma Lampkin, AkzoNobel’s energy consumption by up to 45% as Strategy 2023+.
yacht commercial director, said. “We compared to standard paint technologies. At the beginning of 2023, Śnieżka SA
are passionate about connecting our re- The agreement runs through December adopted the Sustainable Development
search and technical teams with appli- 2028 and adds to existing supplier agree- Strategy and started implementing 71
cators who want to be best in class by ments with BMW Group. operational goals. These activities were
improving their product, technical and appreciated by organizations involved in
application knowledge with state-of-the- PPG Divests Traffic the development of ESG standards.
art equipment. Solutions Operations in EcoVadis - the world’s largest pro-
“The testing facility is first class,” Australia and New Zealand vider of business sustainability ratings -
Lampkin added. “Yacht paint has to PPG announced that it has divested all awarded the company the Gold Medal,
stand up to the most challenging condi- Traffic Solutions operations in Australia which placed it among the top 5% of
tions from the elements, and being able and New Zealand to Geveko Markings, a companies subject to certification. The
to evaluate the impact of regional climate pavement markings specialist headquar- company also debuted in the Responsible
variations will inform and improve new tered in Sweden. Financial terms of the Companies Ranking, whose partner is the
product development and innovation in agreement were not disclosed. Responsible Business Forum.

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Now, as a member of the Polish ESG WEG Among the Best financial results, growth within
Association (PSE), Śnieżka has the op- Companies in Brazil in 2023 their respective sectors, and
portunity to co-create ESG standards WEG stands out in the Capital Goods ESG (Environmental, Social,
that can be implemented in companies and Electronics sector at the 2023 Best and Governance).
and organizations. and Biggest Awards, organized by Exame The awards ceremony was held in
Additionally, Aleksandra Małozieć, Magazine. This recognition is the result person and attended by WEG’s CEO,
director of corporate communication and of a survey conducted by the magazine in Harry Schmelzer Jr. In addition to the
ESG at FFiL Śnieżka SA, will join the ESG collaboration with Ibmec, with the input main categories, highlights in the coop-
Innovators Council, operating within the of Exame’s Executive Committee. erative and education sectors, the insur-
association and bringing together busi- This year, the award celebrates its 50th ance segment, and the banking industry
ness practitioners. anniversary, marking half a century of were also recognized, honoring notable
“The implementation of Śnieżka’s recognition for companies that drive the achievements in all these key areas of the
Sustainable Development Strategy 2023+, Brazilian market. Annually, the magazine Brazilian economy.
debut in the Responsible Companies releases the list of the top 1,000 compa-
Ranking, and the EcoVadis gold medal nies in Brazil, whose performance plays PPG Introduces PPG
are the results of Śnieżka’s involvement in a crucial role in the country’s financial SUSTAINABILITY
ESG topics over the last several months,” market. Leading companies, identified in CO2NCEPT System
said Małozieć. “Now it’s time for the next various sectors of the economy, stand out PPG announced the launch of the PPG
stage – sharing good practices or look- for their remarkable success in managing SUSTAINABILITY CO2NCEPT system,
ing for inspiration for next projects. We their enterprises, playing a significant role a suite of products, processes, digital
are constantly raising the bar in terms of in boosting the Brazilian economy. tools and consulting services designed to
commitment, which is why we also care The thorough evaluation of the par- help body shops reduce energy, waste and
about developing the potential of our ticipating companies in the annual re- greenhouse gas emissions throughout the
team and our company’s activities in the port is based on financial data from automotive repair process.
area of sustainable development.” 2022 and relies on three essential pillars: “Like many industries, there is

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immense pressure for body PPG’s extensive color library when con- Characterized by anti-skid proper-
shops to reduce their environ- nected with PPG’s camera-equipped spec- ties and high visibility over a long lifes-
mental footprint and decrease trophotometers (PPG RAPIDMATCH XI pan, next-generation Ennis-Flint MMAX
energy use given the recent and PPG DIGIMATCH tools). This digi- Extended Season premium marking can
dramatic increase in energy costs,” said tal solution eliminates the need for paint- enhance safety for bicyclists, motorists
Jerome Zamblera, PPG vice president, ers to use spray out panels to test color and pedestrians. It can be applied to pave-
Automotive Refinish, Europe, Middle match, further eliminating waste. ment surfaces from 35°F to 150°F and
East and Africa (EMEA). “Through has three times the working time of most
the launch of the PPG Sustainability x Jotun Donates competitive products on surfaces at 110°F
CO2NCEPT system, PPG recognizes an Emergency Aid to Morocco or more. Anti-skid properties are provid-
opportunity to better partner with cus- A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck cen- ed by hard aggregates that are included in
tomers and support the demand for sus- tral Morocco on Sept. 8, 2023, killing at the application kit.
tainable solutions that improve energy least 2,000 people, injuring many more “The use of Ennis-Flint MMAX
efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.” and causing widespread devastation. Extended Season marking in Sacramento
The PPG Sustainability CO2NCEPT Jotun donated NOK 1 mill ($94,000) to serves as a turning point for other cities
offering includes: Red Cross/Red Crescent to emergency aid seeking to apply area markings in hotter
• Consulting and training services, in the area. climates,” said Maria Wang, PPG director,
which can help body shops identify the Moroccan Red Crescent (MRCS) product management – liquid coatings,
activities that consume the greatest en- teams were on the ground immediately, Traffic Solutions. “The ability to apply
ergy and generate the most significant coordinating with the IFRC and local au- this product at higher temperatures ben-
amount of carbon emissions. The PPG thorities to assess the situation, support in efits everything from project timelines to
team will evaluate alternatives that could the search and rescue operation and pro- public safety.”
deliver lower emissions and generate po- vide help to affected people. They are pro- Sacramento will utilize EF Green,
tential cost savings for the shop through: viding first aid, psychosocial support and which meets the U.S. Federal Highway
• Spray booth efficiency helping transport the injured to hospitals. Administration’s color requirement for
• Product selection Some of the worst affected areas are use in bicycle lanes. The Sacramento re-
• Repair process improvements quite remote and mountainous, there- gion is one of the most bike-friendly cities
• Air-drying primers and clearcoats fore hard to reach. However, the IFRC in the nation, with more than 1,700 miles
that can reduce energy consumption by is working hard to support the national of bikeways. The city has more than 10
up to 65% compared to traditional oven- Moroccan Red Crescent Society. separate, active transportation projects,
cured coatings. Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies including the Central City Mobility proj-
• Primers applied via rollers and air from Africa, MENA and Europe have also ect, which will create more than 60 blocks
dried, which offer energy savings of up to reached out to provide assistance. of parking-protected bikeways.
95% by replacing a spray gun within a “A part of our corporate responsibility
spray booth. strategy is to take responsibility in the ar- RPM Acquires
• Ultraviolet (UV)-cured primers for eas where we operate, and Jotun wants to Leading Panelized
small repairs that can provide energy sav- contribute economically to aid the emer- Wall Systems Business
ings of up to 85% and shorter processing gency situation in Morocco. By choosing RPM International Inc. announced that
times. Red Cross/Red Crescent as our partner, the wall system fabrication segment of
PPG also offers innovative digital so- we know that the money is spent ac- NOW Specialties, LLC has been acquired
lutions to support customer sustainabil- cording to our intention,” said Kari-Ellen by RPM’s Tremco CPG Inc. and is now
ity, including: Liverod, group communications manager. part of Tremco Construction Products
• The PPG LINQ end-to-end digital Group (Tremco CPG).
ecosystem, which can help body shops Sacramento Selects T h e Te x a s - b a s e d F a b r i c a t i o n
achieve a 15% productivity improvement ENNIS-FLINT by PPG Business is a leading wall system fab-
compared to traditional repair methods. MMAX Extended Season ricator specializing in metal composite
• The PPG MOONWALK automated Area Markings for Project material and aluminum composite ma-
paint mixing system, which can reduce PPG announced that the city of terial panels and has annual net sales
the carbon footprint from basecoat emis- Sacramento has selected a new ENNIS- of approximately $20 million. Terms of
sions by up to 9%. More precise measur- FLINT by PPG area marking for part of the transaction were not disclosed, and
ing and the elimination of human error its bicycle lane infrastructure. Ennis-Flint NOW’s installation business was not
results in reduced paint consumption and MMAX Extended Season area marking is part of the acquisition.
emissions, and less wasted product. a highly durable, next-generation product The wall systems are manufac-
• PPG VISUALIZID software, which designed to stand up to the demands of tured offsite, and then installed at
helps users find the best color variant from traffic and hot climates. the building location, which offers

16 | Coatings World ­www.coatingsworld.com January/February 2024

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 Fresh Paint
customers improved efficiency, quality and beyond expectations to
and construction times when compared support our industry. In the
to traditional methods. Additionally, end, trade associations are
the acquired wall systems are compat- about people, and I think
ible with Tremco CPG’s building enve- that’s our key differentiator.”
lope systems and expand Tremco CPG’s
offerings for those who want a metal Sherwin-Williams A WIDE RANGE OF
panel facade. DesignHouse Releases
“Panelized facade systems and other Industrial Trend Report ADDITIVES FOR
forms of offsite panelized construction The Sherwin-Williams General Industrial A DIVERSE INDUSTRY
are a rapidly growing segment within Coatings division released its fifth color
the construction industry and a key trend forecast — “V: Colors, Finishes Universal
strategic focus for Tremco CPG,” said and Effects Evolving and Emerging in
Dispersants
Frank C. Sullivan, RPM chairman and Industrial Design.” This year’s report in-
CEO. “This acquisition will strengthen cludes a careful analysis of the first four and
Tremco CPG’s value proposition of pro- forecasts, as well as emerging trends that Wetting Agents
viding customers with compatible build- will affect the industrial design industry
ing envelope solutions that improve for the next three to five years.
efficiency, extend building life and pro- The release of “V” coincides with the
vide customized aesthetics.” five-year anniversary of the Sherwin-
Williams DesignHouse, where the color
BCF Awarded Best Trade experts who manage the trend program
Association of the Year are located. Since its founding, the
The British Coatings Federation (BCF) DesignHouse has researched, tracked,
was awarded the prestigious title of Best identified and shared many trends in
Trade Association of the Year at the 2023 industrial design.
Memcom Excellence Awards ceremony “We’re thrilled to be celebrating our Polymeric Dispersants
at the Hilton Bankside. fifth anniversary with the release of our for
The award was judged on various latest trend report,” said Kiki Redhead, Aqueous Systems
performance areas and was awarded to global CMF and trend manager for
BCF based on their proven track record Sherwin-Williams DesignHouse. “As we
of outstanding member engagement and approached this milestone, we looked
retention, demonstrating their commit- back at all we’ve done thus far and, rath-
ment to their membership. er than only offering insight into future
BCF is delivering results through sup- trends, we took the opportunity to reflect
ply chain leadership in the UK, Europe on our own work, as well as the evolu-
and globally, all underpinned by a highly tion of industry trends overall.
motivated, high-performing team that “We found that society is driven by
loves coming to work and going the ex- the desire for authenticity,” continued
tra mile for members, and stunning in- Redhead. “Sherwin-Williams is no differ-
house marketing delivery. ent. It’s why we’re analyzing past work in
We’re more than
One of BCF’s other contributing win- this year’s report, and it’s why we contin- defoamer experts!
ning factors was its significant investment ue to reinforce our commitment to driv-
and ambition in its major innovative ing innovation and sustainability, both
sustainability project on paint recycling, for our team and for our customers.” Let us help you find
PaintCare, as well as record-breaking fi- Top insights from V include: the perfect additive,
nancial results, aided by prudent gover- • Verses – From nature to the cosmos, ask about our
nance to buy out its final salary pension relationships play a big role in shaping
Project-Based approach
scheme deficit in 2022. the world we live in.
“It’s five years since we were last rec- • Color Spaces – Twenty-two col-
ognized as the best trade association in ors break down the evolution of trends www.munzing.com
the UK, and it’s fantastic to have achieved across six different color spaces. [email protected]
it again,” said Tom Bowtell, BCF chief • Effects, Finishes and Textures –
executive. “I’m really proud of the team Tactile materials offer new ways of con-
here at BCF and how they all go above necting to the world around us. CW

January 2024 ­www.coatingsworld.com Coatings World | 17

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 New Products

Sherwin-Williams Introduces 858 Series

Skyscapes Single Stage Topcoat

S
herwin-Williams Aerospace Sherwin-Williams Aerospace epoxy or the support of the Materials & Corrosion
Coatings launched the 858 Series urethane exterior primers. Technologies area of Petrobras’ Research
SKYscapes Single Stage Topcoat, a The 858 Series SKYscapes applica- and Innovation Center (Cenpes), which
convenient, single-stage system for the tion can handle a variety of aircraft sizes encourages technology development
exterior and interior surfaces of general and types for added versatility and offers in the country by fostering initiatives
aviation aircraft. This polyester/urethane easy maintenance and cleanup, as well as focused on innovation and sustainability.
hybrid topcoat can be applied as an over- effortless buffability.
all topcoat or used as stripes, delivering Hempel Launches Leading
a consistent, durable, colorful finish in WEG Develops New Intumescent Coating
multiple gloss levels, including an option Coating for Offshore Use Estimation Software
to clearcoat. WEG has developed an innovative coating Hempel has announced the launch of
The new 858 Series SKYscapes offers for use in highly corrosive environments, HEET Dynamic, a new coating software
a variety of application benefits. With one providing greater durability to assets and specially designed to make intumescent
mixing bank system, customers can now increasing the lifespan by up to four times coating estimations on steel sections
mix a basecoat-clearcoat or single-stage compared to current technologies. quicker, easier and accurate for structural
color using a simple 3:1:2 mix ratio. Four This coating technology, already be- engineers and estimators.
reducer options — slow, medium, fast ing tested and applied in some offshore Characteristics of HEET Dynamic:
and repair — are available to accommo- platforms, replaces traditional coatings, • Speed: Performs calculations up to
date a variety of spraying conditions and simplifying equipment and structure 10 times faster than traditional methods.
climate considerations. maintenance where applied and offering • Accuracy: Achieves 100% es-
The productivity-friendly material significantly greater resistance compared timation accuracy for reliable and
offers a 72-hour non-sand recoat time to currently adopted protective plans. dependable results.
and long pot life of up to four hours. The first offshore maintenance proj- • User-friendly: An intuitive interface
Additionally, the quick-drying formula al- ects with the new technology are already that is easy to install and simple to use.
lows for multiple color livery applications underway, and tests confirm the perfor- Hempel Engineering and Estimation
per day and requires no baking — the mance of the new line marketed by WEG Technology “HEET” Dynamic empow-
product dries at ambient temperatures. under the brand WrapX. Two years of ers users to make efficient and effective
This high-performing aerospace top- research and investment, in addition to fire protection decisions quickly and eas-
coat is available in a full solid color pal- equipment, performance tests, and tech- ily, offering up to 10 times faster calcu-
ette with multiple gloss levels, including nical training, have been dedicated to lations, without consulting third party
full-gloss, semi-gloss and flat finishes, this development. engineering services or PFP (passive fire
The 858 Series SKYscapes offers an The WrapX line uses high-perfor- protection) coating providers.
ultra-smooth appearance with excel- mance elastomeric coatings that extend Built with the user in mind, Hempel’s
lent flow and leveling. It’s compatible the integrity of the asset. In the case of HEET Dynamic software automatically
with all Sherwin-Williams Aerospace valve and flange maintenance, which re- performs volume calculations with 100%
clearcoats and designed to work over all quire constant interventions, the products estimation accuracy to detail the intumes-
can be easily removed and reapplied. cent coating required for a project. In ac-
According to Rafael Guerreiro cordance with location and design codes,
Torezan, WEG Tintas managing director, calculations are based on steel profiles,
WrapX “allows the release of large areas fire ratings and fire testing standards.
where it will be applied in a few hours, Easy to download and simple to use,
unlike current processes where asset HEET Dynamic is up to date with latest
maintenance extends over several days. It industry standards, providing an innova-
is a sustainable technology with a 100% tive software that makes light work of
solid content, and in addition to the oil complex situations. Using in-built cal-
and gas sector, it can be applied in other culators for automated thickness and
environments with severe corrosion, such volume calculations, HEET Dynamic fea-
as mining, steel, and pulp and paper.” tures a simple copy and paste functional-
Photo courtesy of Sherwin-Williams. The application was developed with ity to give the user full control. CW

18 | Coatings World ­www.coatingsworld.com January/February 2024

18 CW new products 0124.indd 18 1/24/24 1:11 PM

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 Business Corner Strategies & Analysis

Global Supply Chain Transitions &

the Changing Role of Countries in SE Asia
Part 1

China’s demise and the emerging role These issues included tariff inequi-
by Gary Shawhan, India can play in a revised global sup- ties, rising labor costs and the impact
Contributing Editor ply chain in SE Asia region. of the pandemic on supply and China’s
[email protected] approach to dealing with this problem.
China – The Ides of Change • China has been the largest trad-
China built their position as a global ing partner with the United States for

T
he Southeast Asia region, with its supply chain leader by aggressively sup- more than 20 years. The trade imbal-
ready access to global shipping porting foreign investments while taking ance between the U.S. and China had
corridors, is ideally suited to sup- advantage of their large workforce and grown steadily over this time period.
port the global supply chain. The region low manufacturing costs. As their supply In 2018, it was -$420B or 78% of the
contains a number of countries that have position grew, issues emerged in doing net import/export value between the
an emerging economy and a young, ener- business with China. These issues were two countries.
getic work force that supports the profile easy to ignore (or put aside) during the The Chinese impose significant tar-
of a low-cost manufacturer. period when things were working well. iffs on imports of good from the U.S.
China has been the leader in the Eventually, certain issues could not and other foreign countries. The U.S.
global supply chain for more than 20 be ignored. In particular, China trade (and other importing countries as well)
years. Today, however, China’s leader- practices were creating long-term prob- left this issue largely unaddressed and
ship role is in transition with an un- lems for their global export customers un-challenged as they benefited from
certain outcome. India, as the second with their competitive position in cer- the low costs of imported goods. Its
largest economy in the SE Asia region, tain markets. They also began to reveal impact was amplified by the fact that
is emerging as an attractive alternative underlying risks involved in reliance on similar import tariffs had not been put
to China as a primary supply chain hub. China as a primary source (or sole in place by foreign governments to level
This article explores the reasons behind source) of supply. the playing field.

FIGURE 1. US-China Trade- 2000 to 2022

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 Strategies & Analysis Business Corner

In select markets subsidization of

both new plant construction and opera- TABLE 1. Recent Events and Activities Impacting China Relations with Key
tional costs by the Chinese government Export Countries
made it difficult for offshore companies • China has increasingly exercised their authoritarian control over businesses
to justify in-country, new plant con- operating within China. The unpredictability of their actions has brought
struction. This dynamic allowed China
added risk to companies doing business there.
to build a powerful manufacturing in-
frastructure cementing their leading • China economy (post-COVID) has not returned to its prior levels. Decline in
role in the supply chain. exports numbers to the U.S. and Europe is evident. At all levels, government
In addition, new plant construction debt is limiting efforts to prop-up the economy.
incorporated state-of-the-art technology
• Concern over protection of strategic IP by the U.S. and other countries has
further improving China’s competitive
advantage. Market examples include ap- taken on a high level of priority. Evidence of IP theft, espionage and loss of
pliance, automotive/transportation, elec- critical technology related to defense have surfaced.
tronics and steel or aluminum. • Territorial expansion by the Chinese government throughout SE Asia is
In 2018, the U.S. announced new
being aggressively pursued. Regional threats including military provocations
tariffs and established quotas on cer-
tain imported goods. The consequence have increased exponentially.
of these actions was increased con- • China‘s struggling economy is in part paying the price for subsidizing
frontational dialogue between the U.S. industry to maintain economic growth. This includes under-writing
and China on trade policy. It also drew
residential and commercial building project that were not needed.
attention to one of the consequences
resulting from the existing level of de- • China’s recent geopolitical alignments with countries such as Russia,
pendence on sourcing from China. Iran and North Korea has created red flags for future foreign investments
• The labor cost advantage that China within China.
enjoyed early in its growth cycle slowly
began to diminish as salaries for workers
started to normalize with the internation- TABLE 2. GDP and Growth Rate for Leading Global Economy’s
al marketplace. This economic evolution
Annual Growth
began altering China’s traditional behav- Rank Country GDP (2023)
Rate
ior as the supply chain leader.
This escalation of the income for the 1 United States $23.7 trillion 1.6%
average Chinese worker was reflected in
the emergence of a growing middle class.
2 China $17.7 trillion 5.0%
This transition created significant growth
in demand for goods and services in-coun-
try. This demand was now competing with 3 Japan $4.9 trillion 1.3%
China’s traditional global export business.
• The pandemic brought into focus the 4 Germany $4.3 trillion 0.2%
vulnerable position most companies and
supply chain management teams had put 5 India $3.7 trillion 7.2%
themselves in regarding sourcing depen-
dence. Its impact was wide ranging and
included: Customer allocations; force companies revealed one of the risks associ- the concerns of foreign governments
majeure on certain contracts with major ated with doing business in a country with and foreign manufacturers about reli-
accounts; significant price increases for an authoritarian government. Import cus- ance on China for supply. Table 1 offers
many raw materials; and elimination or tomers that had relied heavily on sourcing a summary of recent events and actions.
consolidation of certain product lines to from China were left extremely vulnerable Collectively, these issues have result-
address critical shortages. to policy change. ed in a reappraisal of business strategies
The pandemic underscored the strong involving China by many organizations.
control that the Chinese government Recent Events Impacting China has opened the door for India
had over all companies manufacturing China’s Future Supply along with other SE Asia countries to
goods and services within their country. Chain Position provide a viable alternative to China
Unexpected plant shut-downs, lockdowns, Recent events and actions by the Chinese long-standing dominance as the leader
and supply allocations favoring Chinese government have significantly amplified in the global supply chain. CW

January/February 2024 ­www.coatingsworld.com Coatings World | 21

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 International Coatings Scene Europe

Reporting and Roadmapping with the BCF

by Terry Knowles
European Correspondent
[email protected]

W
estminster played host to the
British Coatings Federation
(BCF) in December 2023 when
the BCF launched a new report underlining
the significance of the UK paint and coat-
ings sector in industry, and to ask for the
UK Government’s support in recognizing
a variety of needs that ensure the sector
will flourish in the modern industrial and
post-Brexit trading environment.
The report was launched at a meeting
in the Cromwell Room of the Houses of
Parliament, in a reception hosted by Paul
Scully MP. The event was attended by a
broad cross-section of CEOs, marketing,
technical and regulatory directors from
companies drawn from the UK paint and
coatings and ink sectors. Representatives
from three government departments were
there on behalf of the Department for in order to ensure continued growth for advanced sectors could not function, are
International Trade, the Department for the industry. not left behind.
Business and Trade and the Department “The critical role of coatings, for in-
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Sector is a £4 Billion stance, is evident in that downstream com-
and a host of other trade associations in GDP Contributor panies worth £300 billion a year rely on
the UK also had delegates in attendance. To underscore the importance of the UK our products,” added Bowtell. “This ho-
paint and coatings sector, the BCF states listic reality needs to be recognized in an
Five Key Asks for that the sector contributes £4 billion to integrated industrial strategy that supports
The UK Government the UK economy every year and a further all areas of British business. Aerospace, au-
At the core of the BCF’s Essential Coatings annual £1 billion in exports. However, tomotive, green energy, life sciences – all of
report lie five important areas for the gov- the government’s apparent decision to these sectors rely on our members coatings
ernment to address in order for the sector prioritize three industry sectors in its and inks in one way or another to achieve
to achieve its fullest potential contribution strategy prompted BCF to champion the their own successful end-result products, as
to the UK economy. These include: significance of all the other industries that well as on other key products from across
• The need for regulatory and policy the coatings and ink sector serve critical- the UK manufacturing supply chain.”
clarity and certainty for chemicals ly as part of the broader industrial and
• A long-term industrial strategy for economic landscape. Two Tiers of Industry
manufacturing Tom Bowtell, chief executive of the To be Recognized
• Support for businesses in the transi- BCF said, “Building on our successful past The report seeks to shore up a greater
tion to net zero and present, our sector looks to the future level of backing from the government fol-
• A long-term focus on skills and and we welcome the government’s recently lowing the publication of its Advanced
training published plan for advanced manufactur- Manufacturing Plan, which appears to
• Greater focus on improving post- ing. However, in setting such plans we throw particular emphasis on the ‘ad-
Brexit trade. must make sure that the multiplier – or vanced’ automotive, aerospace and green
All of these fundamentals are required enabler – industries, without which these energy sectors. The BCF thinks that more

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 Europe International Coatings Scene

could be done to include the critical roles Zero target. and installing innovative new technology
played by other parts of industry that The roadmap sets out how the BCF and and processes leading to greater and faster
would lead to the creation of an integrated its members aim to reach Net Zero, with decarbonization.
industrial strategy, one that better reflected projected reductions in scope 1 and 2 emis- • Alternative measures might look
a bedrock of UK coatings consumers in sions of 53% by 2035 and 69% by 2040 at tax relief, or a deduction for capi-
their entirety and without focusing on the as target points. It details four things that tal expenditure, specifically on ‘green’
original perceived advanced sectors. need to happen if the overall target is to investments aimed at decarbonizing
be met: industrial processes.
One ‘Essential’ Report • Better energy efficiency through re- • Measures to help SMEs recognize
The Essential Coatings report highlights a newable energy use and the development and meet their Net Zero goals would also
series of case studies that illustrate the sig- of low-carbon hydrogen be helpful. In particular, smaller compa-
nificance of the contribution made by the • Superior resource efficiency with nies need help in identifying their scope 3
UK coatings sector to industry, under the modern products and technologies built on emissions, as well as putting together an
following four headings: bio-based raw materials action plan to prioritize and tackle them.
• Essentiality – coatings are everywhere, • The development of carbon capture, A scheme resembling Help to Grow108,
in and on everything and critical to the utilization and storage networks which previously offered small-scale sup-
functioning of daily life • Intensive supply chain collaboration port to help businesses digitize, could
• Liveability – coatings protect, en- and engagement, seeking to reduce scope instead provide vouchers or funding for
rich and enhance the beauty of the world 3 emissions. SMEs to buy in Net Zero planning consul-
around us, and enable communication and Building on the BCF’s 2021 commit- tancy support or software.
self-expression ment to reach Net Zero by 2050, the • Simultaneously, government needs to
• Sustainability – coatings play an es- roadmap outlines how the coatings sector continue with policies to scale up, at pace,
sential role in the transition to a sustain- intends to tackle its own emissions (scope emerging technologies such as low carbon
able future: prolonging the life of goods, 1) and those it creates indirectly (scope 2 hydrogen, carbon capture utilization and
vehicles and infrastructure; protecting and and scope 3). It also estimates that the larg- storage, and modular nuclear, which are
enabling renewable energy sources such as est proportion of carbon emissions – 98% essential for industry to be able to meet fu-
wind turbines and solar panels; and help- – are linked to members’ supply chains ture Net Zero commitments.
ing improve fuel efficiency (scope 3) and are therefore more difficult As Make UK noted, “the UK needs to
• Economy – the sector is one of the to manage. leverage its net zero ambitions to achieve
country’s manufacturing success stories: a The roadmap clarifies that, while any greater energy independence, which in turn
net exporter, a generator of jobs and an in- emissions that cannot be eliminated must should keep energy bills stable and afford-
tegral contributor to the UK economy. be balanced by finding ways to absorb an able. Achieving energy security requires a
equivalent amount, the sector’s Net Zero shift towards abundant, low carbon ener-
Zeroing in on strategy must minimize the use of carbon gy. Failure to implement low-carbon poli-
The Net Zero strategy offsets, reserving the practice for unavoid- cies and reduce carbon emissions would
Last autumn the UK government also an- able emissions only. It recognizes that dif- put the UK’s energy security at risk.”
nounced a revised Net Zero strategy for ferent sub-sectors may need to move at • Improve access to green skills across
the UK, one that aimed to reduce national different paces, since their energy needs businesses, continuing to fund apprentice-
emissions to zero by 2050. Parts of it ap- and challenges are different. ships and incentivizing those that focus on
pear more relaxed than previously stipu- Considerable input is required from the climate and sustainability. This will sup-
lated because the UK has over-achieved government for the BCF’s membership sec- port the training required to develop the
on its emissions reduction targets, having tors to fulfil the Net Zero objectives and knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes
managed a 48% reduction. This places it the BCF has made the following recom- in order to implement more sustainable
ahead of Germany (41% fewer emissions), mendations to the government: practices within business and society.
France (23% fewer) and the US (no reduc- • Create a secure environment for busi- • Finally, chemicals regulations in the
tion at all). ness to invest in more sustainable and Net UK need to be clarified as soon as possible,
Not too long behind this announce- Zero-related infrastructure. Clarity and ensuring that whatever process of registra-
ment was a move from the BCF to launch a certainty of policy is required, over the me- tion and enforcement is put in place does
Net Zero Roadmap to outline how the UK dium to long-term, if businesses are to be not lead to new, sustainable substances be-
coatings sector will reach Net Zero carbon able to plan and invest in required major ing withheld from the UK market due to
emissions by 2050, with a 38% reduction upgrades of equipment. cost or bureaucracy. The current interim
in scope 1 and 2 emissions projected by • This should include increased sup- REACH NRES (New Registration of an
2030. The roadmap illustrates how the in- port to industry via the Industrial Energy Existing Substance) process is beginning
dustry will play a key role in enabling the Transformation Fund107, or newly created to create just this negative situation and it
UK to achieve its national legislated Net funds, to spur businesses on to developing needs resolving as a priority. CW

January/February 2024 ­www.coatingsworld.com Coatings World | 23

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 International Coatings Scene Latin America

Brazil Adopts Sustainability

Reporting Requirement
by Charles W. Thurston
Latin America Correspondent
[email protected]

S
ustainability reporting has become
a “voluntary” practice in Brazil this
year, but will become a mandatory
requirement for companies operating in
the country as of January 2026. Under
President Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva,
who has vowed to make environmental
protection a hallmark of his administra-
tion, Brazil has adopted sustainability dis-
closure standards set by the International
Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).
“We continue to hear strong support
for the ISSB’s Standards from regulators
globally and I commend the Brazilian
Ministry of Finance and Comissão de
Valores Mobiliários for providing clar-
ity to companies and investors in Brazil
by setting out a clear roadmap towards
mandatory adoption,” said ISSB chair-
man Emmanuel Faber, during a meeting
of the IFRS Foundation in Panama, in sustainability report. “Sustainability is Beyond these goals, S-W Brazil also
October 2023. rooted in our values and our way of do- is cooperating with the Prolata program,
The IFRS Foundation is a not-for- ing business. We take a holistic approach, which aims to recycle paint cans, includ-
profit responsible for developing global integrating sustainability into our busi- ing reuse, proper disposal and statistical
accounting and sustainability disclosure ness operations around the world and tracking of the effort.
standards, known as IFRS Standards. embedding it into our product innovation The national paint and coatings trade
The new Brazilian standards require- and delivery processes. association, Abrafati, the Associação
ments were announced by the Ministério “Globally, we have the commit- Brasileira dos Fabricantes de Tintas, sup-
da Fazenda, the Brazilian Ministry of ment, strategy, goals and programs ports the Prolata program. Prolata also
Finance, and by the Comissão de Valores in place to drive progress in our key makes up part of the national waste re-
Mobiliários (CVM), the Securities and focus areas: Climate and Carbon, duction program, the Política Nacional
Exchange Commission of Brazil. Product Stewardship, Cycle Assessment de Resíduos Sólidos.
Occupational Life, Health and Safety “In the last five years, the Prolata
Major Paint and and Talent Acquisition and Employee Program carried out the environmen-
Coatings Manufacturers Engagement,” the company’s latest Brazil tally appropriate disposal of more than
Are Already Engaged ESG report noted. 31 thousand tons of post-consumer
Among the major paint and coatings Among S-W Brazil’s specific goals in steel packaging, avoiding the emission
manufacturers active in Brazil, many al- this endeavor include the reduction of of almost 118 thousand tons of green-
ready have clear sustainability programs greenhouse gas emissions by 30%, in- house gases (CO2) in the manufacture
in place, supporting environmental, social creasing the share of renewable energy of new steel,” the group states. Prolata
and governance (ESG) reporting. to 50% of total electricity use, increas- is active in the five regions of the coun-
Sherwin-Williams, for example, re- ing operational energy efficiency by 20%, try, present in 12 states plus the Federal
ports on Brazilian ESG activities as and reducing waste disposal intensity District of Brasilia, totaling operations in
part of the company’s annual global by 25%. 36 municipalities.

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 Latin America International Coatings Scene

Embracing Social
Well-Being within ESG “Sustainability reporting has become a “voluntary”
PPG, too, has a well-established global
sustainability program, including activi- practice in Brazil this year, but will become a mandatory
ties in Brazil. Among recent accomplish-
ments there, grouping shipments into requirement for companies operating in the country
a smaller number of larger trucks has
reduced the cost and carbon emissions as of January 2026... Among the major paint and
associated with transportation.
“This initiative, which has been taken up coatings manufacturers active in Brazil, many already
in many of our other businesses and geogra-
phies, helped avoid the release of the equiv- have clear sustainability programs in place, supporting
alent of 156 metric tons of CO2 from our
automotive business in Brazil,” notes PPG’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting.”
latest ESG report.
In the area of social support, PPG
also is developing a program to increase individual and collective self-esteem, in the continuous improvement process of
diversity in education in the STEM areas addition to promoting socialization and companies, in addition to constituting an
of study, including science, technology, appropriation of places by the commu- important tool for sectoral transparency
engineering and math. “In support of nity,” explained the company’s latest in matters of Corporate Governance
our mission to inspire more women to ESG report. and Leadership, Human Capital, Social
work in STEM-related fields, we worked “With the first can of paint opened Capital and Environment,” the associa-
with nonprofit Casa Hacker to launch in 2009, in the Bixiga neighborhood, tion noted.
a new program in Sumaré, Brazil called in São Paulo, Tudo de Cor celebrate[d] Developed together with the Akatu
Girls in Tech. This program offers high 10 years in 2019 with more than 1,800 Institute, the program was the result of
school girls an opportunity to partici- projects delivered, 10,000 properties a deep dive into the analysis of what it
pate in after-school classes on a range of renovated, 4,600 painters trained and takes to build solid ESG foundations.
technology-related subjects, including more than 950,000 liters of paint used, “The PSS encompasses several ac-
computer programming, robotics and mobilizing, in total, 45,000 volunteers,” tions – including the program to com-
3D printing,” the ESG report said. the AkzoNobel report noted. ply with the National Solid Waste Policy
Another STEM initiative by PPG in- “One of the highlighted projects is – and one of its central points is the
cludes mentoring. “In Brazil, more than Mais Vida nos Morros, the result of the Sustainability Assessment System, which
70 employees volunteered with long- union between Coral (an AkzoNobel involves 44 indicators, distributed
standing partner Junior Achievement brand) and Recife City Hall, which across 17 sub-themes and four themes,
to help prepare 1,400 students for the used more than 20,000 liters of paint to all related to the 12 U.N. Sustainable
workforce by sharing insights on STEM color several communities, such as Sítio Development Goals most relevant to the
career paths and workplace ethics,” São Brás, Beberibe, Vasco da Gama and paint sector in Brazil,” Abrafati noted.
PPG’s report states. Alto from Burity. Its residents were able Evaluation cycles are annual, with
to actively participate in the painting voluntary and self-declarative par-
Bringing Color of their houses, squares and streets, in ticipation by paint manufacturers. The
To Older Neighborhoods addition to having a renewed, harmo- first two evaluation cycles, in 2022 and
AkzoNobel is another major paint and nized and humanized environment,” the 2023, included a self-assessment ques-
coatings manufacturer with a long- report said. tionnaire on the Abrafati Sustainability
standing ESG program. One standout Assessment System online platform.
element of its Brazil activities is its Tudo Abrafati Provides “As part of the sector’s commitment
de Cor movement. National Leadership to transparency, Abrafati annually dis-
“Th[is] sustainable socio-cultural Paint and coatings manufacturers in closes the sector’s average performance,
movement that puts into practice Coral’s Brazil will have ample inspiration to which in these first two years was at
mission of bringing color to people’s take up, if not further advance their sus- the Intermediate level. Completing the
lives, through volunteer actions to col- tainability efforts, thanks to the leader- system expands the understanding of
or and restore thousands of cultural ship of the national association Abrafati. sustainability topics and practices and
heritage sites, communities and entities “Started in 2021, the Abrafati allows a clear visualization of opportu-
throughout Brazil, fostering creativ- Sectoral Sustainability Program (PSS) is nities for improvements in relation to
ity, imagination, a sense of community a pioneering initiative in the paint indus- what actually occurs in the sector,” the
and citizenship, ultimately encouraging try, with the aim of guiding and boosting association concludes. CW

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 International Coatings Scene India, Asia-Pacific

China’s Architectural Paint & Coating Sector:

Tough Days Ahead

In 2021, annual
new residential
housing sales
totaled 1.57
billion square
meters. In 2022,
housing sales
fell to 1.15 billion by Yogender Singh booming property sector, which flourished on
India, Asia-Pacific Correspondent account of a number of factors, including rapid
square meters as urbanization, readily available credit and active
land sales by local governments.

C
the default cycle hina has been the largest architectural Nonetheless, the housing frenzy eventually
paint and coatings market globally for lost its momentum and resulted in heavily in-
started to worsen. a long time. A huge construction sector debted property developers, exorbitantly high
and existing housing stock means that demand housing prices, and the emergence of several
of architectural coating products is expected ghost cities.
to remain steady in the short, medium and These factors have dampened the demand of
long-term. architectural coatings in 2023, and are expect-
However, an unexpected slowdown in the ed to play a major role in the sluggish growth
country’s construction sector has put the brakes of architectural coatings in the country during
on the explosive growth of the architectural the next two years.
coatings sub-segment during past three years. Evergrande, once the largest property devel-
Coatings World presents the impact of property oper in China, reportedly owes more than $300
slowdown on the Chinese architectural coat- billion, much of it to individuals whose proper-
ings sub-segment in this feature. ties were never built.
China’s architectural paint industry’s re- Country Garden, China’s largest developer
markable double-digit growth during the in terms of sales with approximately 3,000 real
first 15 years of the century was fueled by its estate projects at various stages of development

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 India, Asia-Pacific International Coatings Scene

TABLE. Output of architectural and overall coatings industry in China over the years

Coatings Architectural Coatings

Year
Output Output Proportion of overall
Growth rate (in %) Growth rate (in %)
(10,000 tonnes) (10,000 tonnes) market (in %)
2022 2043 2.15 709 0.07 34.0
2021 2088 15.9 714 13.3 34.1
2020 1801 -26.15 630 -9.22 34.9
2019 2439 38.6 694 7.0 28.5
2018 1760 -13.6 649 3.0 36.9
2017 2036 7.2 630 9.0 30.9
2016 1900 10.6 577 7.2 30.4
2015 1718 4.2 538 4.2 31.1
2014 1648 26.5 516 7.9 31.3
2013 1303 2.4 478 14.9 36.7
2012 1272 17.8 416 20.4 32.7

across the country, reported a staggering tightening their purse strings, wary of un- the pandemic.
35% year-on-year drop in sales in the certainties in the elusive economic recov- The architectural paint and coatings
first half of 2023. It incurred a net loss of ery. A general slowdown in the Chinese industry is still highly fragmented in
$6.72 billion in H1 2023 as opposed to a economy, first induced by extended lock- China. Consolidation, which started dur-
net profit of $91 million during the same downs and later by tepid growth, has ing the mid of the last decade, led to a
period a year ago. meant that a majority of house owners number of mergers and consolidations,
In 2021, annual new residential hous- have deferred their re-painting exercise. but the number of architectural coating
ing sales totaled 1.57 billion square me- producers is still very high.
ters. In 2022, housing sales fell to 1.15 Chinese Architectural Multinational architectural paint pro-
billion square meters as the default cycle Paint Industry ducers are taking various approaches to
started to worsen. Chinese architectural coatings produc- increase their market share in the country.
In the first seven months of 2023, ers accounted for a total volume of 7.09 For example, in April 2023, AkzoNobel
housing sales totalled 0.58 billion square million tons ($5.67) of architectural coat- agreed to buy Sherwin-Williams’ Chinese
meters, 13% less than in 2022. Of the 56 ings in 2022, a dip of 0.7% as compared decorative paints business for an undis-
billion square meters of residential floor to 2021. closed sum. The business has annual
space under construction, half is unsold In 2023, the industry is expected to revenues of about €100 million. The ac-
at the moment. At the current run rate suffer a decline of nearly 3% in terms quisition was completed in August.
of demand, clearing this inventory could of volume. “Acquiring the Chinese decorative
take three to four years. Most of the key players in the deco- paints business from Sherwin-Williams
These factors have had a major im- rative market – Nippon Paint, ICI Paint, will help us to deliver our growth ambi-
pact on the country’s architectural paint Beijing Red Lion, Hampel Hai Hong, tions in tier three to tier five geographical
and coatings industry in 2023. Demand Shunde Huarun, China Paint, Camel areas in China. This intended acquisition
from the new constructions has been Paint, Shanghai Huli, Wuhan Shanghu, is a strong strategic fit and our current
very sluggish. Shanghai Zhongnan, Shanghai Sto, business is best placed to unlock the full
Repainting has emerged as an impor- Shanghai Shenzhen and Guangzhou potential, thereby offering new opportu-
tant sub-segment in architectural paint Zhujiang Chemical – are expecting a year nities for employees and customers,” said
segment during the last decade. In the of sluggish or negative growth in 2023. AkzoNobel CEO Greg Poux-Guillaume.
absence of robust architectural paint de- The ongoing property crisis and fore- The acquisition includes the wide-
mand from new constructions, demand casted slower economic growth in coming ly known Chinese decorative paint
from this sub-segment is expected to play years are expected to have a major over- brand Huarun, which Mark Kwok,
a key role in the growth of the Chinese hang on the Chinese architectural coating AkzoNobel’s director decorative paints
architectural coatings industry. industry in the short and medium term. North Asia, said will strongly comple-
However, a few industry stakehold- Credit rating agency Moody’s expects ment the company’s existing premium-
ers Coatings World communicated with China’s economy to grow at a 4% annual focused Dulux product and give its
are of the opinion that even in this sub- pace in 2024 and 2025, well below the customers access to a more diverse and
segment, Chinese consumers have been 6% to 7% average in the 10 years before stronger offering. CW

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 International Coatings Scene Africa

Housing Sector Expected to Drive

Africa Paint Market in 2024

For Africa’s paint

manufacturers
and suppliers,
2024 is likely to
be shaped by this
drive to address
the estimated 56 by Shem Oirere Despite the small economic growth gains
Africa Correspondent expected in 2024, several countries across
million housing Africa are either making progress in the con-
struction of affordable housing projects or

A
units deficit. frica’s economic growth is expected have recently unveiled new plans to build simi-
to reach 3.8% in 2024, a modest im- lar shelter to cater for the increasing popula-
provement from 3.4% in 2023, ac- tion, growing urbanization and thirst by the
cording to the African Development Bank middle class for better housing.
(AfDB), yet governments and private sector in- For Africa’s paint manufacturers and sup-
vestors have rolled out huge investment plans pliers, 2024 is likely to be shaped by this drive
focused on the high paint consuming sector to address the estimated 56 million housing
of housing. units deficit estimated to cost USD $1.4 trillion
The bank’s 3.8% growth this year was a excluding the cost of the bulk infrastructure.
revision from earlier projections of 4% due to With the continent’s population estimated
what the lending institution says are the “per- at more than 1.5 billion people today, which is
sistent long-term effects of COVID-19, geopo- an increase from the 1.4 billion in 2020, there
litical tensions and conflicts, climate shocks, a is a spike in demand for affordable housing
global economic slowdown, and limited fiscal and both the public and private sector play-
space for African governments to adequately ers are keen on leveraging new technology in
respond to shocks and sustain post-pandemic constructing affordable house for middle and
economic recovery gains.” lower class population as paint manufacturers

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 Africa International Coatings Scene

stare at expanded opportunities for complementary products.” quality, internationally approved deco-
more quality coating products. Crown Paints, Charania observed, rative paints and protective coatings,”
Development of most of these afford- has since the start of the affordable Jotun said when the JV was announced in
able housing projects is concentrated in housing program impacted the construc- 2022 as Algeria pushed forward with the
Africa’s urban areas, where the popula- tion material supply trends, especially in housing program.
tion is expected to grow from 36% of the decorative component of the market. A similar housing project is under-
the continent’s to about 50% by 2030. Other African countries implement- way in Egypt under the social housing
Africa’s middle class, the driving ing affordable housing projects either program, now called “Housing for All”,
force, has, according to AfDB, more than for mixed use, or as mass housing proj- which aims to provide affordable hous-
tripled in the last 30 years to 313 mil- ects or for targeted groups such as public ing to one million low-income house-
lion or more than 34% of the continent’s workers or pensioners, including Algeria, holds, according to the World Bank, one
population, hence the spike in demand Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco. of the project supporters.
for new housing. For instance, the Algerian govern- “It is Egypt’s first national initiative
“Africa is urbanizing rapidly,” ment has set a target of constructing for green buildings and believed to be
says Mike Salawou, AfDB’s director, at least 579,500 housing units between the first green social housing initiative in
Infrastructure and Urban Development. 2021 and 2024 under the North African the region,” the bank adds.
“Compared to today, it is predicted country’s one-million-home construc- Some of the top paint makers in
that almost one billion additional people tion plan that has created potential for this market include Sipes Egypt, MIDO
will live in African cities by 2050, then increased consumption of coatings and Coatings, PACHIN, GLC Paints and
approximately 60% of the future total paints and attracting competition in Scib Paints. Products from international
population on the continent,” he said. the market. companies are supplied through partner-
For instance, Africa’s biggest paint ships with local market players.
markets such as Kenya, South Africa, In early 2023, Egypt’s paint market
Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco and Algeria got more enriched when El Mohandes
are currently implementing or have ap- Jotun, a leading paint maker in the
proved plans for the construction of country, commissioned the second phase
thousands of affordable housing units of its paint making factory located in
as well as the upgrading of slums in the 10th of Ramadan City at a cost of
urban areas. more than US$100 million with capac-
Kenya is building 500,000 housing ity to produce at least 7 million liters of
units by 2030 under the country’s af- paint annually.
fordable housing project. Elsewhere, South Africa has recently
“As the economy continues to ex- witnessed the launch of a USD $1.4
pand, more Kenyans are leaving rural re- billion Southern Farms Biodiversity
gions for more urban areas in search of Coincidentally, Jotun, one of the Development Project in the city of
higher paying careers, a trend (that) has leading industry players, is among the Johannesburg, under which 45,000
created a demand for additional hous- recent entrants in the Algerian market new housing units will be construct-
ing in cities such as Nairobi, Mombasa, and likely to benefit from this massive ed as well as associated mixed use
and Kisumu among others,” says the US housing project. housing amenities.
International Trade Administration. Jotun had previously partnered with In Nigeria, the government has re-
According to Mhamud Charania, the Med Investment Holding to form the cently allocated US$108 million in the
chairman of Crown Paints Kenya, one of Technover P joint venture to produce 2023 supplementary budget to fast-track
the paint market players in the country, Jotun decorative paints and protective construction of the first phase of the
“the expansion of new housing creates coatings from the newly built factory in Renewed Hope Housing Projects and
greater opportunities for us to expand the district of Tizi-Ouzou, east of Algiers. Slum Upgrading Programme that targets
our presence in the market.” “The factory has been designed by the construction of at least 34,500 housing
He, however, notes the massive German technology company Netzsch units across the country, as well as up-
projects has created “stiff competition with a capacity for producing locally grading more than 25 slum areas.
among players” forcing the company to US$120 million of the standard quality As 2024 gains pace, African gov-
“relook at our strategy to enable us to of paint and coating that are presently ernments and private sector real estate
remain competitive.” imported,” Jotun said. developers will most likely step up the
The competition, he explained, is “This investment shows Jotun’s implementation of more paint-consum-
from new entrants in the country’s paints long-term commitment to the ing real estate developments, with archi-
market “who not only competed along Algerian market. We can now bring tectural paint expected to be the most
the same product lines but introduced our clients in Algeria the highest demanded product among others. CW

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 International Coatings Scene Russia

Storm in Russian Coatings Industry has Passed,

but Dark Clouds are Still on the Horizon

T
he Russian coatings industry has
left the peak of the tension in the
rear window, but the reborn op-
erations are braced for new challenges
in 2024, primarily the worsening labor
shortage, according to analysts.
The almost two-year-long process of
industry restructuring is finally over, LKP
Expert, a Moscow-based think tank, said
in an industry survey. In November 2023,
Swedish Eskaro Group AB sold its St.
Petersburg coatings factory to Russian en-
trepreneur Alexander Prosekin. This was
one of the few assets in the Russian coat-
ings industry still owned by foreigners.
With a rare exception, all coatings
factories owned by Western businesses
in Russia changed hands during the past
two years. The Lithum Group, the former
Russian branch of Norwegian paint mak-
er Jotun, has consolidated former Russian
factories of PPG, Hempel and Jotun.
The key question is how they will per- Russian coatings industry development,” Economy Institute research cite demo-
form under new management and in the LKP Expert said. graphics and “the migration of the popu-
new market reality in the years to come, The labor shortage is a problem com- lation” as the reasons for the crunch.
LKP Expert stated. mon for the entire Russian economy. A The Central Bank also expressed an
When the first Western sanctions research conducted by the recruiting firm opinion that the partial mobilization of
wreaked havoc on the Russian transport Superjob in early 2024 showed that 86% around 300,000 men in September 2022
and logistics industries, the Russian coat- of the Russian firms experience difficul- by the Russian Defense Ministry con-
ings factories were the first to feel the ties filling vacancies. tributed to the labor deficit. Last year,
impact. Having a tough dependence on In the Russian industrial sec- new contracts for military service were
imported components, the businesses ur- tor, this figure is estimated at 87%, signed with nearly 0.5 million recruits,
gently need to rejuggle the entire supply Superjob reported. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of
chain to keep their operations running. Russia lacks around five million the Russian Security Council, disclosed
The raw material issue has largely workers, the Economy Institute under on his social media channels.
loosened its grip on the industry, so in the Russian Academy of Science said in Alexey Raskha, a Russian demogra-
2024, a new challenge comes to the fore, a study published in December 2023. pher who previously worked with the
which is a persistent labor shortage. Analysts admitted that this problem Russian state statistical service Rosstat,
has already started to put breaks on the estimated that between 550,000 and
Labor Crisis Unfolds wheel of Russian GDP growth. 800,000 Russians have immigrated from
In the coming years, it will have a power- In November 2023, Elvira Naviulina, the country over the past two years.
ful influence on the Russian coatings in- head of the Russian Central Bank, labeled In addition, the Russian ruble’s de-
dustry and the market, LKP Expert said. the labor shortage the biggest threat to cline has driven some foreign workers
“This issue is more pressing than the the Russian economy. from Central Asia out of the country, oc-
search for alternative raw materials, and There are numerous reasons for the casional reports indicated, though there
it will largely determine the pace of the unfolding labor crisis. The authors of the is no concrete data to support this claim.

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 Russia International Coatings Scene

The Russian ruble lost nearly half of its

value against the hard currency in 2023, Analysts believe that the acute phase of
encouraging foreign citizens to explore
working options in Turkey, UAE and sev- the crisis that followed the first Western
eral other countries.
Alexander Shikhanev, general director sanctions has ended, and expect no
of Pigment Holding, the leading Russian
supplier of anticorrosive coatings, said further major turbulence in the Russian
that the growing labor deficit is the big-
gest problem for his company and the coatings market in 2024.
entire industry.
He added that competition for work-
ers forced the company to sign a part- The rise in the number of new players promising to undermine business mar-
nership agreement with several Russian in the Russian coatings market primarily gins in the Russian coatings industry.
universities and kick off a promotional refers to Chinese and other Asian com- LKP Expert indicated that judging
program for Russian high schools in panies, who indeed doubled down on from the current trends, a premium seg-
a bid to lure more workers into the their efforts to gain a foothold in Russia. ment in the Russian coatings market
coatings industry. As of December 2023, nearly 140 may soon virtually cease to exist.
In general, the Russian coatings fac- Chinese companies were registered to In the past, the premium segment rep-
tories will have to raise salaries to keep participate in Interlakokraska-2024, resented a substantial share of sales in the
their staff intact, LKP Expert noted. the biggest Russian coatings exhibition. Russian market. It was comprised pri-
“It is already clear that the problem This starkly contrasts with the previous marily of products from foreign brands
has no quick and easy solution, so it is years when only a few Chinese coat- like Jotun and Hempel. The analysts be-
likely that in 2024, we will see some- ings manufacturers took part in this lieve that Russian coatings manufactur-
thing new in this field,” LKP Expert exhibition. ers are locked in the race to make their
said, assuming that in response to the Among the companies that are put- products les expensive, in some cases
labor deficit, Russian coatings factories ting their efforts into expansion in the sacrificing quality.
could pass some work to outsourcing to Russian market, the analysts list Kanat, “At the moment, there is still an op-
Chinese companies. Moravia, Dyo and Hilong. portunity to lower production costs by
“We can hardly expect the introduc- moving to Chinese raw materials, but
Falling Margins tion of restrictive measures against these this potential will not last forever,” the
In the wake of the labor crisis, Russian products, so we must get used to living analysts reported.
coatings factories will see their margins with them,” the analysts added, point- In general, quality issues are ex-
shrinking, LKP Expert warned. ing out the fact that not only Chinese pected to be a common feature of the
In addition to paying higher wages coatings companies but also raw ma- Russian coatings business in 2024, ac-
to employees, Russian coatings manu- terials suppliers increasingly eye the cording to LKP Expert.
facturers bear higher production costs, Russian market. The problems primarily come from
and the market conjuncture is also far According to analysts, the inflow of manufacturers’ attempts to replace
from perfect. new foreign competitors will make the Western raw materials with available
“In 2022 and 2023, not a single coat- lives of Russian coatings manufactur- alternatives. The efforts are being done
ings factory in Russia suspended opera- ers harder. without sufficient research and develop-
tions, while a considerable number of Some common Russian economic ment work “to suit current needs,” and
new manufacturers entered the market challenges are expected to put addi- this leads to some undesired effects.
striving to fill in the vacant positions. tional pressure on the Russian coatings Quality issues are expected to be
In the meantime, the number of coat- business. In a bid to tame inflation, the even more common for those companies
ing consumers remained the same,” LKP Russian Central Bank has recently jacked bringing new products to the market.
Expert said. up the key interest rate to 16%. Russian “Alas, but the high-quality prod-
While in previous years, Russian business community have repeatedly ucts are not to be born quickly,” the
market players expressed fears over a expressed concerns that this level makes analysts stated.
product shortage in some segments, in bank loans extremely expensive for Despite that, the analysts believe
2024, the market could be braced for a most companies. that the acute phase of the crisis that
supply surplus. followed the first Western sanctions has
“The supply will greatly outpace the Quality Concerns ended, and expect no further major tur-
demand, which will entail a drop in sales- A shift in consumer demand towards bulence in the Russian coatings market
margins,” the analysts explained. less expensive products is another factor in 2024. CW

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 FEATURE

Photo courtesy of Behr

Decorative Architectural
Coatings
Architectural coatings manufacturers reported that the DIY segment slowed down
slightly, but the pro segment is experiencing growth.

Kerry Pianoforte, Editor

T
he global architectural coating market was valued at year-over-year sales to Walmart, reflecting that customer win at
$63.3 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $107.9 bil- the beginning of 2023.
lion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2021 to “Architectural coatings in Mexico delivered another strong
2030, according to a recent report from Allied Market Research. quarter, as we continue to benefit from a growing Mexican
Architectural coatings manufacturers reported that the DIY economy and our excellent Comex brand. Organic sales for ar-
segment has decreased slightly, but the professional segment is chitectural coatings in the EMEA region were down by a low
experiencing growth. single-digit percentage, as the benefit of higher prices was more
“In our most recently reported quarterly results (Q4 2023), than offset by lower but moderating volumes.”
overall organic sales in the Americas and Asia Pacific architec- “In 2023, there were, and continue to be, several economic
tural coatings business decreased a low single-digit percentage factors impacting the home improvement and architectural coat-
compared to the prior-year fourth quarter, driven by lower de- ings categories,” said Rob Sheehan, director of sales professional
mand for DIY products,” said Todd Gatesy, general manager, U.S. segments at Benjamin Moore. “These factors include, but are
Stores, Dealer and The Home Depot, PPG Architectural Coatings. not limited to, historically low home sales and DIYers shifting
“U.S. and Canada architectural coatings sales were lower as spend from home improvement to travel and leisure. The cir-
growth in the professional contractor channel was more than off- cumstances have led to a modest contraction of the architectural
set by continuing softness in do-it-yourself demand. coatings market.”
“Growth initiatives through our partnership with The Home According to Gatesy, in the first quarter of 2024, organic sales
Depot drove higher professional contractor net sales, which are expected to decrease by a low single-digit percentage driv-
were more than offset by moderating declines in DIY,” he con- en by the timing of the Easter holiday and lower year-over-year
tinued. “The business also continued to benefit from higher sales volumes compared to an elevated first-quarter 2023, which

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 Decorative Architectural Coatings FEATURE

included a $40 million Walmart load-in. “Excluding the customer

load-in impact, organic sales are anticipated to increase by a low
single-digit percentage compared to the first quarter 2023.
“We are determined to help pro painter customers face indus-
try demands in 2024 with product and service options that can
help offset the challenges they may face with labor shortages,”
said Gatesy. “PPG is focused on convenient, pro-focused servic-
es through our work with full-service retailers, like The Home
Depot and HD Supply. We look forward to capitalizing on our
momentum with The Home Depot in 2024, namely as a supplier
recognized for our diversity efforts and through the continued
focus on bringing great products to market through this retailer.”
“Additionally, we provide added value to the pro painter
through our PPG PAINTS store network the PPG Paints App,
which helps them get the right product, in the right place, at the
right time,” said Gatesy. “We also continue to expand our inde-
pendent dealer footprint and product offerings. We continue to
build out our dealer-exclusive line up and are planning additional
product launches for this channel in 2024.”
According to Gatesy, in the residential space, the National
Association of Realtors forecasts 1.48 million housing starts
(single- and multi-family) in 2024. “In commercial painting, the Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore
return to office movement and repurposing of commercial spaces
add to the demand for pro painters. As a result, we expect that the color wheel and interprets fresh takes on more familiar comple-
demand for pro painters will continue.” ments and contrasts that can help you feel more comfortable se-
According to Sheehan, in comparison to other segments, the lecting and incorporating more color in your spaces.
commercial segment was the strongest in 2023 followed by the “A sense of comfort is on top of mind for homeowners. Some
residential repaint market. “We are anticipating a modest increase find comfort in nature by bringing in fresh green hues into the
in the second half of 2024,” Sheehan added. space. Rich, moody hues will also continue to surge. Colors such
as Regent Green 2136-20, Soot 2129-20 and Carter Plum CW-
Color Trends 355 enhance a sense of elegance and luxe. Color drenching in
Color plays a crucial role in determining architectural paint sales. these rich hues provide a sense of comfort and escape, especially
Every major paint company announces a Color of the Year and with soft textiles added to the design.”
updated color palette, determined by color experts who study Behr predicts color and design trends to go bolder in 2024.
trends in fashion, electronics and other industries. “The new definition of neutrals is expanding beyond the gray,
Gatesy said PPG is seeing a move away from cool grays in beige, and white color families as we are seeing people gravitating
2024. “Warm neutrals that serve as a backdrop for creativity, in towards using jewel tones and deeper colors that pair well with
both the professional and DIY design spaces, will be central to many different design styles,” said Erika Woelfel, VP of color and
architectural coatings. In conjunction with our 2024 Color of creative services at Behr.
the Year, Limitless, we introduced three thematic volumes that “We announced the BEHR 2024 Color of the Year, Cracked
demonstrate ways we see the color coming to life in the design Pepper – a soft black that elevates and adds confidence to any
world: Volume I – Grounded, Ethereal and Tender; Volume II – space,” said Woelfel. “As a hue that fulfills our increased desire
Abundant, Nourishing and Vibrant; and Volume III – Playful, for energetic environments as we lean into day-to-day life, a soft
Expressive and Retro. versatile black is the perfect selection. Whether workplace, hospi-
“In 2024, we continue to see a willingness to explore color tality, or residential settings, Cracked Pepper will elevate the built
and express personality in the home,” said Hannah Yeo, senior environment with its quiet confidence.”
manager, color marketing at Benjamin Moore. “Travel is a major Additionally, the BEHR 2024 Color Trends palette is a curated
source of color inspiration, whether it’s a road trip to a nearby collection of forward-thinking, livable colors that can be used to
destination or as far as outer space. The Benjamin Moore Color personalize a space within the built environment to meet the feel-
of the Year 2024 and Color Trends 2024 palette both spark ad- ing or mood of the end user.
venture and invite consumers to explore the extraordinary.” “Available exclusively at The Home Depot, the BEHR 2024
“The idea of duality – juxtaposing light against dark, warm Color Trends palette awakens spaces with colors that create a
and cool, showcasing complementary and contrasting color pair- sense of belonging and offer endless expression for every design
ings – will also be incorporated further in homes,” added Yeo. style – from rich tones and illuminating neutrals to grounded
“Our Color Trends 2024 palette explores relationships on the hues and eye-catching accents,” she added.

January/February 2024 ­www.coatingsworld.com Coatings World | 33

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 FEATURE Decorative Architectural Coatings

said Sheehan.
Benjamin Moore’s Regal Select Interior has been reformu-
lated to stand up to the demands of everyday life like never
before. The enhanced formulation features proprietary stain-
release technology, increased scuff-resistance and washes clean
without compromising color or sheen integrity. Regal Select
is the paint that generations of painting professionals and
homeowners have relied on for years to deliver the premium-
quality results that Benjamin Moore is known for. Its smooth
application and unbeatable flow and leveling allow paint-
ers to achieve professional results every time. The durable,
washable finish enables easier clean-up of common house-
hold stains such as pencil, crayon, coffee and more, across all
Benjamin Moore colors.
Benjamin Moore’s Element Guard is the newest premium
exterior paint specially formulated to tackle one of the most
difficult painting environments: high moisture. Designed to
withstand wind-driven rain, excessive humidity, and other harsh
weather conditions, Element Guard exterior paint is ideal for
use on various exterior substrates such as vinyl and cedar sid-
ing, wood, brick, and more. The paint can resist rain as soon as
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore 60 minutes after application and be applied in temperatures as
low as 35°F, extending the painting season and assuring that
New Products professionals can paint with confidence. With excellent adhe-
Here is a glance at some of the latest architectural sion, resistance to cracking and peeling, and a mildew-resistant
product launches. coating, users can count on Element Guard to deliver durable,
PPG Paints App allows pros to place orders anytime, any- long-lasting results.
where. The app allows re-orders to be placed quickly, based Benjamin Moore’s Color Match Tool is a small, take-with-
on previous purchases, alleviating paperwork and saving order you-everywhere device that lets you scan the flat surface of any
time. “It allows a complete view of PPG’s lineup of pro prod- color you like, to instantly find its closest paint color match
ucts, coupled with job-specific pricing structures, all in the palm with just the tap of a button. It connects to the Benjamin Moore
of the pro’s hand. It also gives pro paint customers the option to Color Portfolio app so you can find your desired color. CW
choose from delivery to jobsite or in-store pickup,” said Gatesy.
“The PPG Paints App is an extension of our commitment to the
pro: ensuring that they have the right products, at the right time,
in the right place.”
In 2023, PPG expanded the GLIDDEN MAX FLEX spray
paint and primer by PPG lineup with the addition of new col-
ors across its All Surface and Exterior Fabric spray paint offer-
ings. There are now more than thirty product and color options
across the Max Flex spray paint portfolio at HomeDepot.com
and select Home Depot locations. In 2024, PPG plans to con-
tinue to expand this product offering with the launch of new
spray paint products available across our sales channels.
“Also, in late 2022, we introduced a GLIDDEN floor paint
and concrete stain product line by PPG featuring Cool Surface
Technology,” said Gatesy. “That line, available via HomeDepot.
com and at select The Home Depot locations, includes Glidden
Porch & Floor, Glidden Porch & Floor Anti-Skid, and Glidden
Solid Concrete Stain. PPG was recognized in 2023 by The
Home Depot as an Innovation Award winner for Cool Surface
Technology, signifying this product’s ability to make life easier
for DIY and Pro customers.”
“At Benjamin Moore, we are always innovating and ensuring
that we are meeting our customers’ needs in 2024 and beyond,” Photo courtesy of Behr

34 | Coatings World ­www.coatingsworld.com January/February 2024

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 Should you attend RadTech 2024?
Reasons to Attend 2024
Other Shows

Exclusive focus on sustainable and responsible

manufacturing using UV+EB technology

Largest gathering of UV+EB Industry Experts in the

world

Latest updates on regulations and compliance specific to

UV+EB technology

Connect directly with customers, peers, experts, and

leaders who are specifically involved in UV+EB curing

Discover new market trends, innovations, and

partnerships in the UV+EB technology

Exhibit floor with the leading suppliers of UV+EB

technology, showing you their latest innovative products.

Conference program focused on the latest

advancements in UV+EB technology.

Today’s Choices,
Tomorrow’s Future:
2024
UV+EB for Sustainable
May 20-22, 2024 & Responsible
Orlando, Florida USA Manufacturing

www.radtech.org
Radtech CWM0124.indd 1 1/24/24 3:15 PM
 FEATURE

Additives
Market
Update

Additives are used to enhance the performance characteristics of paint and

coatings and comprise a varied group of products. The shift to PTFE-free
alternatives and bio-based additives are some key growth drivers.

Kerry Pianoforte, Editor

T
he global coating additives market size was valued at ordering patterns.”
$10 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $17.1 bil- “As expected, our 2023 year was down from our record
lion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2023 to 2022 year,”noted Keith Condon, national sales director at Keim
2032, according to data from Allied Market Research. Additec Surface USA, LLC. “Despite the hiccups in the market,
However, 2023 wasn’t necessarily a growth time for additive we did see some growth across various industries, such as paint
manufacturers due to overstocking issues. and certain specialty coatings. Additionally, we have been able
“It seemed universal in the coatings industry that 2023 was to foster new relationships with multinational organizations,
way down,” said Robert Ruckle, global marketing and sales di- who view us as a preferred supplier thanks to our robust prod-
rector at Siltech. “Customers consistently said that due to the uct offerings and stable supply chain. This past year was a chal-
supply chain disruptions, they over-bought in 2022. It is clear lenge, but we were able to support our clients through it, which
that demand was down in 2023 as well.” is all we can ask.”
Despite this, Ruckle remains optimistic for the additives Condon added, “Research shows the coating additives mar-
market moving forward. “It seems poised to recover strongly in ket being valued at around $10.6 billion USD in 2023 and is
2024. At Siltech, we maintained staffing so that we can respond anticipated to grow. Heading into 2024, the primary concerns
to 2024 growth.” are whether or not the economy will continue to trend away
“Predictions of the market shifting away from PFAS addi- from recession and if inflation will improve. Regardless, we will
tives held true, with dramatically increased attention on PTFE- continue to offer excellent performance without compromising
free alternative and bio-based additives,” said Rich Czarnecki, regulatory status – setting us apart from our competition.”
vice president of Micro Powders, Inc. “We have been developing “The market fared relatively well,” said Thomas Kinlin,
and honing this technology for years in preparation to meet the technical service manager, Shamrock Technologies. “We did see
market’s demands and are equipped with strong data and suc- some relaxation in demand as coatings manufacturers sought to
cess stories to back up their performance. maintain pre-pandemic inventory levels. We see some volatility
“The supply chain issues of 2022 resulted in many custom- in material availability due to severe delays caused by logistical
ers who overstocked raw materials,” Czarnecki added. “We changes in the EMEA area. There will be some demand and
see that these customers are now returning back to normal growth in the additives market this year.”

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 Additives Market Update FEATURE

“We’re seeing an upswing in the additives markets glob- coatings is deep, with robust R&D and technical service capa-
ally, to varying degrees by region, and are optimistic about a bilities supporting customers globally,” Patel noted.
healthier 2024,” said Vic Patel, global director – Plastics and There are several factors driving the market for paint and coat-
Performance Additives at Arxada. “Arxada’s portfolio is strong ings additives. Increased demand for multifunctional additives,
on multifunctional additives, such as Troysol ZLAC substrate increasingly strict environmental regulations around the global
wetting and flow & leveling agent, that perform the jobs of sev- and an increased awareness among formulators about the ben-
eral additives in one. This is something the market is looking for, efits of coatings additives are some of the key drivers of growth.
to reduce inventory and achieve cost efficiency and sustainabil- PFAS replacement is a major impetus for developing new ad-
ity benefits, such as lower system VOCs. Sustainability is of in- ditives. Regarding environmental regulations, PFAS is still very
creasing importance to our customers globally, and we’re seeing much a topic of conversation as effective bans on these materials
greater interest in our many products that enable them to reach draw nearer.
SHE and carbon footprint reduction benchmarks.” “Developing high-performance and cost-effective alterna-
Additives are used to enhance the performance characteris- tives to fluorochemistry remains a top priority across much of
tics of paint and coatings and comprise a varied group of prod- the coatings worlds, especially in those applications with direct
ucts. These additives can improve characteristics of the paint and indirect food contact,” noted John. “This is a challenge con-
and coatings, such as its durability, adhesion, rheology and resis- sidering many of the offending materials are considered best-in-
tance to environmental factors such as UV radiation, corrosion class at what they do. Fortunately, we have been quite successful
and abrasion. Coating additives are added to paints and coat- in developing alternative products and getting them to market
ings to improve their quality, impact resistance, viscosity and across a variety of applications.”
surface effectiveness. These coating additives also improve dis- “In 2023, Siltech focused on developing applications data
persion of solids, wetting, foam-reduction, anti-catering, gloss to help those who choose to reformulate PFAS,” noted Ruckle.
control, anti-chipping and UV protection of coatings. “Suppliers of PTFE-containing ink additives have seen a dra-
Micro Powders develops and sells fine and coarse additive pow- matic shift away from this chemistry due to developing regulato-
ders, dispersions and emulsions for use in paints, inks and coatings. ry issues around PFAS substances,” noted Czarnecki. “Although
“The primary benefit of our products is for surface protec- PTFE has a very strong track record of safety, many customers
tion, including lubricity, scratch and abrasion resistance, and are looking to find alternate products, with equal performance,
anti-blocking. Other products provide superior gloss reduction, without the use of PTFE. Our portfolio of PTFE-free composite
texturing, water repellency and surface haptics,” said Czarnecki. waxes expanded in 2023 with the launch of MP-28AL, a value
Keim Additec specializes in wax additives. “We have one of engineered wax/aluminum oxide composite that offers superior
the most diverse portfolios of wax technology available on the scratch resistance and lubricity with excellent economics. We
market,” said Tyler John, technical sales manager, Keim Additec also launched PolyTuf 1229, a wax/ceramic composite pow-
Surface USA, LLC. “We primarily service the graphic arts and der that is our top performing product for improving surface
coatings industry, where these additives act as surface modifiers, abrasion resistance.”
but we also offer robust support for plastics, adhesives and be- Shamrock Technologies has concentrated its development
yond. Our waxes are reinforced by a suite of auxiliary additives, efforts on wax alloy technology. “Here we call it ‘Waxallurgy’
such as dispersants and defoamers, allowing us to provide very – just as in metallurgy, combining different metals gives you
holistic support for formulators.” unique properties, and we see the same with combining different
Siltech manufactures organo-silicone based flow and level- waxes,” said Kinlin. “Shamrock Technologies has spent many
ing, foam control, slip and protection additives. “At Siltech we resources researching various wax combinations to provide a
have been focusing on developing applications for our Q resins, unique line of performance-enhancing additives to optimize the
which offer increased cross linking and low surface energy pro- properties of different types of coatings.”
viding strength, protection and other properties,” said Ruckle. In liquid coatings, manufacturers have focused on offering
Shamrock Technologies manufactures performance-enhanc- performance additives that contribute zero or minimal VOCs,
ing additives to improve a variety of coatings attributes. “We APEO, HAPs, and other ingredients to paint formulations.
have additives that improve durability, reduce or increase the Arxada is continually expanding its Z-line of performance addi-
coefficient of friction, add water repellency, provide matting, tives, which are developed specifically for ‘green’ systems. These
aid in block resistance, produce texturing and alter haptic prop- Z-line additives are free of VOC, HAPs, and APEO, and offer
erties,” said Kinlin. “Shamrock Technologies has these perfor- performance at low use levels, making them ideal for modern
mance additives in the form of micronized powders, dispersions, aqueous formulations.
emulsions, macro powders, and compounds.” “An example is advanced Troysol ZLAC, a ‘green,’ multi-
According to Patel, Arxada manufactures one of the broadest functional, silicone-free additive that improves substrate wet-
ranges of additive functionalities in the industry, and has been ting, flow & leveling, adhesion, gloss, and color uniformity in
supplying performance additives to customers for more than 70 aqueous coatings and adhesives,” said Patel. “The highly effec-
years through its legacy organizations. tive additive offers enhanced control of coating surface proper-
“Our expertise in additives for both liquid and powder ties and the elimination of surface defects.” CW

January/February 2024 ­www.coatingsworld.com Coatings World | 37

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 FEATURE

CPMA Elects New Officers, Reflects

on Evolution of Color Pigments
Industry at Annual Meeting
Aaron Hollman of Sun Chemical was elected as CPMA president and chair,
and Chris Manning, Shepherd Color, was elected as VP and chair.

T
he Color Pigments Manufacturers Association (CPMA)
held its Annual Meeting on Dec. 5, 2023 at Sun Chemical’s
headquarters in Cincinnati, OH. CPMA elected its 2024-
2025 officers and board members and convened CPMA members
across the color pigments value chain for an opportunity to net-
work and hear expert insights about latest business trends and
regulatory outlook for 2024.

CPMA Elects New Officers,

Recognizes Outgoing President
During the meeting, CPMA honored Ronald Levi, outgoing CPMA
president and chair, Bruchsaler Farbenfabrik GmbH & Co KG,
and elected new officers for the 2024-2025 term. Aaron Hollman,
Sun Chemical, was elected as CPMA president and chair, and Chris CPMA President Aaron Hollman, left, presents leadership award to outgoing
Manning, Shepherd Color, was elected as vice president and chair. president Ron Levi for his term during 2020-2023. (Source: CPMA)
“We have seen many changes over the years impacting the
industry,” said Levi, “and it has been an honor to work with the committee chairs:
CPMA Board and members to legislate locally and influence glob- Global Value Chain Committee: Chair Susan Hipsky, se-
ally, while working with the industry value chain and strengthen- nior regulatory affairs manager, Cabot, and vice chair Ralph
ing CPMA’s position as the recognized industry leader.” Svenningsen, director of quality and environmental affairs, DCL
“On behalf of the CPMA, I want to thank Ron Levi for his • Inorganic Pigments Committee: Chair Gary Strassell, EHS
dedicated leadership and contribution to the industry over the last manager, Shepherd Color and vice chair Yani Gao, product stew-
four years,” said Hollman. “I look forward to working with the ardship and regulatory affairs manager, Heubach Group
CPMA Board and members in continuing to advance the color • Organic Pigments Committee: Chair Earl Seibert, regula-
pigments industry in North America through engagement with tory manager, Color Materials North America, Sun Chemical
companies across the color pigments value chain and implementa- and vice chair Madeline Kaufman, product stewardship manager,
tion of the CPMA sustainability initiative in the next two years.” Heubach Group.
The 2024-2025 Executive Committee and Board of Governors
include Hollman, VP sales, Color Materials Americas, Sun CPMA Reflects on Evolution of the Industry
Chemical Corporation; Manning, president and general manager, Outgoing president Levi reflected on changes in the industry land-
Shepherd Color; David Wawer, CPMA, secretary and treasurer; scape over the last four years and the role CPMA has played to
Brandon Devis, VP global business management, Heubach Group, support its members’ business operations and facilitate growth.
member-at-large; and Levi, owner and president, Bruchsaler Global and regional events have impacted the business land-
Farbenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG, immediate past president/chair. scape, economic conditions and business decisions. In addition,
The CPMA Board of Governors includes Nick Jones, VP and recent events have influenced how industry trade associations con-
GM, Cabot Corporation; Allen Zhao, GM, CINIC Chemicals duct programs and meetings to best support member needs.
America, LLC; David Putman, director of supplier management, CPMA has expanded its membership engagement across the
Penn Color, Inc.; Shigeru Suzuki, president, TOMATEC America, value chain, developed programming with a focus on supply chain
Inc.; and Phil Befumo, president, United Mineral & Chemical. and customer trends and challenges, continued proactive engage-
CPMA also celebrated the leadership of CPMA’s ment with U.S. and Canadian government agencies, expanded

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 CPMA’s Annual Meeting FEATURE

collaboration with global industry partners, and developed a new Kurth, provided a view from Washington and what to expect
in-person meeting structure in conjunction with large US customer from federal regulation trends in the coming year, including in-
industry trade shows. crease in costs of doing business to comply with regulatory man-
Over the last few years, the industry has also seen an expan- dates, increased information requirements and more. In addition,
sion of government regulations impacting the chemical sector, Heidi McAuliffe, VP government affairs, American Coatings
and particularly the batch specialty chemical industry, in both Association, discussed federal and state regulations impacting
North America and Europe. The acceleration of government reg- paint products and opportunities to collaborate with the color
ulations, with an increased focus on chemicals in products, has pigments industry to inform the regulatory process.
led to a shift in association public policy objectives and focus.
There has been substantive engagement with state govern- 2024 Industry Initiatives
ments in response to emerging U.S. state laws impacting products Over the last few years, there has been a growing trend, influenced
contaminants, packaging and labelling. At the same time, CPMA by global governments and product companies, for increased re-
has remained engaged in the U.S. EPA’s risk evaluation and risk quirements to define and measure sustainability achievements
management of CI Pigment Violet 29, providing scientific data to within global industry sectors. In 2022, CPMA launched a sus-
support the industry’s position. tainability initiative in response to the evolution of downstream
customer expectations and requirements for the color pigments
Business Trends and Regulatory Outlook industry value chain, which includes pigments processors and
During the December Annual Meeting, members heard from in- converters, and plastics masterbatch companies.
dustry experts across the color pigments value chain who shared In 2024, CPMA’s strategic objectives will continue to focus on
their perspective and insights about the business landscape in 2024. the importance of working with downstream customer industries
Jennifer Abril, president and CEO, SOCMA, shared key find- to address sustainability challenges and develop a sustainability
ings from SOCMA’s manufacturing outlook report for the spe- framework for the color pigments sector.
cialty chemicals sector, highlighting anticipation of an industry For more information about CPMA and its pro-
rebound in 2024 despite recession and destocking trends in 2023. grams, contact CPMA executive director David Wawer,
Javaneh Tarter, CPMA policy counsel, Hunton Andrews [email protected]. CW

January/February 2024 ­www.coatingsworld.com Coatings World | 39

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 FEATURE

The 2024
Pigments Market
Included in this year’s round table discussion on pigments are Darren Bianchi ,
CEO, Brilliant Group; Carlos Hernandez, marketing manager, Coatings & Printing
Systems Americas, Orion S.A.; Mark Ryan, marketing manager, and Chris Collesel,
quality, product safety and sustainability manager, The Shepherd Color Company;
and Falko Orlowski, executive vice president marketing and sales, Trust Chem USA.

David Savastano, Contributing Editor

CW: How did the pigment market fare in the paint and coat- Shepherd Color: Supply chains are back functioning with
ings segment during 2023? most raw materials being readily available. Commodities are
off their highs on uncertain demand but will probably firm up
Brilliant Group: We have heard through our distribution net- as industrial activity increases over 2024.
work and from customers at trade shows, etc., that companies
are down 10%-30% or more. Fortunately, at Brilliant, we have Trust Chem: Yes, raw materials have stabilized and prices are
seen double digit growth over 2022. on the downward trend.

Shepherd Color: We saw a stabilization and customers start- CW: Which region is offering the strongest growth opportu-
ing to plan for growth in the future. 2023 started off slowly nities for you?
and while people kept expecting increased sales during the year,
business didn’t show improvements until the fourth quarter Brilliant Group: We are seeing similar growth opportuni-
of 2023. ties around the world, with North America being among
the strongest.
Trust Chem: The first half was stable with small growth but the
second half showed declining demand. Orion: Orion is doing well in coatings across most global
regions. Certain regions have advantages for us. For example,
CW: Has the raw material market stabilized for the most part the US is one of the world leaders in aerospace manufactur-
during the past year, and what ingredients are causing the most ing, which will increase the opportunities for our markets.
concern for you? In Asia, there is substantial automotive production in Japan
and South Korea, while India is home to the largest paint and
Brilliant Group: Broadly speaking, much of the raw material coatings industry in south Asia. In Latin America, manufac-
market has stabilized in supply/availability. There are still some turers of different automotive brands maintain a strong pres-
specialty raw materials used in fluorescent and phosphorescent ence in Mexico and Brazil.
pigments where the cost increases have remained persistent.

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 The Pigments Market FEATURE

Shepherd Color: The Americas have shown the biggest rebound the end-user level and our customers are doing all that they can
off of the post-COVID slowdowns. to stay abreast. We are supporting them with pigments which
comply with their main specification and regulatory require-
Trust Chem: For us, all three major regions – North America, ments, including non-formaldehyde chemistry.
Asia and Europe – are similar in growth.
Orion: As mentioned in my previous answer, our larger cus-
CW: Along those lines, what paint and coatings markets are tomers are focusing on sustainability. They are concerned with
seeing the strongest growth? lowering CO2 emissions and achieving net zero emissions of
greenhouse gases. We help our customers by supplying prod-
Brilliant Group: We continue to see strong demand in the UV- ucts that best meet their color and performance requirements,
curable market. and by using technologies that allow them to reach their sus-
tainability goals.
Orion: Based on our results, we see very healthy growth in the
industrial, OEM, refinish and powder coatings markets. Shepherd Color: Shepherd Color has long shared our custom-
ers’ concerns and commitment to sustainability factors, well be-
Trust Chem: Due to some changes in the marketplace with pig- fore the subject became part of today’s lexicon. We’ve always
ment manufacturers, we see the strongest growth in industrial taken our commitment to this effort very seriously and we enter
and powder coatings. 2024 with renewed energy and leadership to learn more and to
do more to help.
CW: What are your customers prioritizing during discussions
with you? Trust Chem: Sustainability discussions in the US are not as
common as what we have in Europe. Most new regulations are
Brilliant Group: As supply chain concerns dissipate and cus- driven from the European market. We do offer our products in
tomers are moving back to leaner inventories, they are regularly line with all global regulations.
looking for us to have stock on hand, shipping quickly, etc. With
their lab resources also remaining tight, they are regularly out- CW: What are some of the latest technologies that your com-
sourcing technical work to us. pany has introduced?

Orion: Our small and medium customers are prioritizing per- Brilliant Group: Some of our latest technologies include new,
formance properties such as jetness and dispersion. Our larger high strength, 100% UV reactive fluorescent materials.
customers are focusing more on sustainability. Some customers
have a very strong ambition to reach net zero emissions or to Orion: We have developed products with circular solutions us-
lower their CO2 emissions by large amounts by 2035. At Orion ing recycled materials. We developed a proof-of-concept product
we have announced our ambition to achieve net zero green- based on pyrolysis oil and designed for high jetness applications.
house gas emissions by 2050. To that end, we have taken big We also have two new circular products based on pyrolysis oil
steps and a different approach to developing products. Our sus- for tinting systems. We tested these side by side with products
tainable product development focuses on using pyrolysis oils or using current feedstock and we obtained very good results.
renewable oils.
Shepherd Color: Shepherd Color over the past decade has
Shepherd Color: After the issues with getting materials dur- brought to market brand new pigment chemistries like the
ing the past few years, customers are looking for robust sup- YInMn Blue and the NTP Yellow, but we also continue to in-
ply chains. While that can mean looking locally and at multiple novate on known and already registered chemistries. Our R&D
sources, we see a desire for customers to work with more reli- department has taken the well-known cobalt blue (CI Pigment
able suppliers. Shepherd Color’s focus on high performance in- Blue 28) and come up with a super Blue 10G599 that has higher
organic pigments along with our global logistics support make red and blue values for the highest chromaticity values we have
us a logical choice for these critical raw materials. seen in the color space. Because it is an established pigment
chemistry, it can be used all around the world and has extensive
Trust Chem: New products, raw material situation and pricing regulatory approvals. It also has the inherent stability that the
are the common discussions. cobalt blues are known for, making it perfect for high-perfor-
mance coatings in coil and extrusion, powder, and automotive.
CW: Do sustainability concerns come up in your conversations
with customers, and how are you helping your customers meet Trust Chem: No new technologies, but with the opening of our
their goals? new pigment plant in China (with 10,000 tons of Azo and 3,000
tons of Intermediate capacity), we offer new and improved
Brilliant Group: Much of the sustainability interest is driven at products for the plastic and coatings market. CW

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 FEATURE

Sustainability is Helping Drive the

Production Equipment Market
Equipment manufacturers note that there is increasing interest in improving
productivity and efficiency.

David Savastano, Contributing Editor

T
he paint and coatings market continues to see growth
worldwide, and new production equipment is in demand.
Production equipment leaders report there is great interest
in improving productivity and efficiency.
Sara Fulford, VP sales and marketing for Hockmeyer
Equipment, observed that the paint and coatings industry is lean-
ing towards high-volume, efficient and automated production
methods as a long-term investment strategy to cope with lower
staff numbers and minimize operator involvement.
“There has been a noticeable surge in interest in high-volume
multi-shaft units, primarily for producing single and two-part in-
dustrial protective coatings,” Fulford added. “We have also seen
exciting developments in the specialty coatings sector for applica-
tions such as synthetic leather and fabric coatings.”
Patrik Maeder, senior sales director, grinding & dispersing
for Buhler Inc., reported that he saw more growth in coatings
than paints.
“Buhler’s focus and solutions are more coatings (high-tech)
focused then paints,” he added. “Growth in coatings is with auto-
motive, marine, some specialty or high tech coatings.” 22mm twinscrew shafts for IPCO’s SCX22|25 lab unit.
“We have continual interest from paint and coatings compa- (Photo courtesy of IPCO Italy S.r.l.)
nies looking to optimize their processes on existing manufacturing
milling machines as well as exploring new process technologies to production and enhance small batch production.
increase productivity,” said Daniel Grskovic, president of WAB “Having said this, powder coating continues as a growth market
US Corp. “Our process technology and lab research continue to within the coating industry and there remains numerous expansion
create more opportunities for paint and coatings performance projects pending investment decisions that we remain confident in
and applications.” being successful with,” he added. “Fortunately, in our favor is our
Kevin Richardson, who is responsible for IPCO Italy S.r.l.’s ability to help clients get the fastest return on their investments.”
sales in Europe, said that post-COVID, there has been increased Dustin Thomas, lab manager/process support for Hockmeyer
interest towards efficiency improvements and smart small batch Equipment, said that interest in the Immersion Mill and NexGen
management. continues to grow in the paints and coatings industry.
“Accordingly, we have enjoyed a number of new powder pro- “The largest markets are aerosols and industrial coatings, with
duction equipment installations,” Richardson added. “We remain, the continued goals of better coverage and increased life span
however, tentative in our optimism for the coming two years with of protective coatings,” said Thomas. “The protective coatings
the current political landscape, market saturation of aged fleets of market is witnessing notable growth, with key areas of interest
equipment in many established companies, as well as a notable including intumescent, anti-fouling, corrosion-resistant and anti-
increase in levels of manufacturer consolidation with mergers and microbial coatings.”
acquisitions, so expected growth is focused on proactive manu- Greg Shrider, global key account manager for BYK-Gardner
facturers looking to overcome inefficiencies, creating customized USA, said that BYK-Gardner is seeing interest in color, appearance,

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 Production Equipment FEATURE

dispersion and physical properties instrumentation ranging from and look forward to tak-
adhesion to viscosity. ing this program further.”
“In the color and appearance space, there is interest to have “As manufacturers
the color2view 45/0 benchtop spectrophotometer that can utilize change their coatings to
digital standards and share those standards with the spectro2gu- be more sustainable, they
ide hand-held spectrophotometer,” said Shrider. utilize a vast amount of
“In dispersion technology there is a focus on equipment and our solutions to ensure
software that allow formulations to scale from laboratory to pilot that wet and dry prop-
and production with a ratio of nearly one to one. In physical test, erties of coatings are
the testing of wet and dry properties is requiring more documen- similar or improved,”
tation to ensure compliance to global standards, therefore we are Andreas Stummer, direc-
developing physical test instrumentation that can provide cus- tor of dispersion sales,
tomers with the data documentation they need to be competitive BYK-Gardner USA, said.
globally,” added Shrider. “Global manufacturers
want to use the same
Sustainability in Manufacturing instrumentation, proce-
In speaking with leading coatings production equipment manu- dures, specifications and
facturers, sustainability in manufacturing is a key issue. Maeder documentation globally
noted that sustainability has become an important part in plan- and rely on BYK-Gardner
ning any process improvement customers are considering. to help implement and
“Buhler has fully engineered sustainability concepts backed by maintain these solutions.”
dedicated sustainability and engineering teams to design and im- Fulford reported that Photo courtesy of BYK-Gardner
plement solutions, be it with a single equipment, system or plant, Hockmeyer Equipment’s
used/existing or brand new,” Maeder said. state-of-the-art equipment offers exceptional efficiency, consider-
“We help our customers achieve their desired particle sizes ably shortening process times and requiring less manual opera-
with paints and coatings made from natural or recycled materials tion than traditional mixing and milling machines.
and is free of harmful chemicals and volatile organic compounds “This advanced technology provides several benefits, includ-
(VOCs),” said Grskovic. “It is also produced using environmen- ing minimized energy consumption, reduced processing time, bet-
tally responsible manufacturing processes that minimize waste ter particle size control, enhanced raw material utilization, and
and emission. We help our customers run more efficiently and comprehensive data collection for informed decision-making on
reduce power consumption. It’s exciting to see development of process improvements,” said Fulford. “It significantly improves
eco-friendly alternatives by using new additives and material operations and helps clients achieve their goals more effectively.
components derived from renewable sources, ensuring they are “Also, our CMX tank washer meets many sustainability objec-
harmless to the environment.” tives: lower solvent use, less solvent exposure, less hazmat waste,
Richardson observed that the production of powder coatings and faster cleanup. It ticks so many boxes, yet it is an often-over-
may seem simple, and from a helicopter view it is, but it is a game looked sustainability and profit center gem,” added Fulford. “It
of small margins with major consequences. can improve profits by lessening waste and increasing productiv-
“In coatings, everything is about reducing the cost per kilo- ity while helping reach goals from the EHS perspective.”
gram or liter, ultimately assisting the end user receiving the lowest
cost per square meter,” Richardson noted. “To achieve this, one Growth Markets
needs to be efficient, increase throughput in each period, mini- In terms of growth markets in the paint and coatings segment,
mize wastage and, if unavoidable, have the capacity to rework Grskovic observed that housing and construction are projected to
the wastage back into a final product without loss in quality or a increase over the next five years and the current U.S. government
major impact to the efficiency and or throughput. administration has poured a lot of money into infrastructure.
“With our design that seamlessly marries the inputted specific “We believe the expected trends in decorative (architectural)
energy into the product with intensive temperature management, paints will follow this trend,” added Grskovic. “Powder coatings
we can let our equipment run more freely with minimal compro- is an interesting sub-category in the industrial category since they
mise compared to others who need to rework material or signifi- do not contain solvents – something everyone in the industry
cantly drop their throughput,” added Richardson. (similar to cosmetics) is trying to reduce as well as benefitting
“Ultimately the more homogeneous and fresher the product is from low VOC emissions. I’ve recently read there’s a growing
produced at volume the lower the cost per unit,” Richardson con- trend in high-tech coatings to protect metals against corrosion
cluded. “We are confident we can improve efficiencies or return and high-performance ceramic coatings. Finally, there’s a growing
on investments by 20% if not more – if that isn’t sustainable, I demand for PU resin coatings.”
don’t know what else is – and this is all a result of listening and “We receive requests for new equipment from all mar-
adapting to our client’s needs, something we take very seriously kets,” Richardson said. “We do not see any major statistical

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 FEATURE Production Equipment

operation are the main factors we are asked to consider when de-
signing a single machine, system, or process—a careful alignment
of achieving maximum output while safeguarding people and the
environment,” Thomas said.
“We have seen an increase in demand for automated systems
due to a decrease in available labor and the need to minimize op-
erator error,” added Zach O’Kelley, process and service support
for Hockmeyer Equipment.
Stummer said that coatings manufacturers are looking for the
most efficient way to maintain or exceed customer expectations.
“Reliability and repeatability of instrumentation are of up-
most importance to them with the ability to be certified globally,”
Stummer said. “Customers require training and support for in-
strumentation and software, otherwise a plug and play solution is
preferred. For all solutions maintenance, calibration, certification,
documentation, CE compliance, and universal power supplies
are warranted.”
DYNO-MILL ECM-AP 10. (Photo courtesy of WAB Group)
Outlook for the Coming Year
differences, but the Asian market is probably the one with the Production equipment manufacturers see bright times ahead for
strongest growth. Europe remains an established hub, with a high the paint and coatings field.
focus on technological advancements setting the benchmarks on “We expect the current trend of CAPEX increases to continue
cost efficiencies’, quality, environmental impact, and safety.” and a higher demand for higher efficiency technologies to replace
“We are experiencing increased activity in the global industrial current equipment in the industry,” Grskovic said. “There are
market largely due to the increased need to meet OEM and man- very clear financial and environmental benefits moving to equip-
ufacturers specifications,” said Rae Roby, regional sales manager, ment purchased before 2010 into our current technology that will
BYK-Gardner USA. “We also see an increase in the refinish mar- save customers a great deal of money and lower cost. We’ve been
ket as paint companies move away from traditional color tools increasing our messaging to reflect this reality and we’re investing
to multi-angle spectrophotometers with flake characterization in ourselves to prepare for this anticipated growth in 2024.”
and software.” Richardson said he is optimistic, adding that IPCO is also
conscious of strains placed on industry with the sensitive global
Key Priorities from Coatings Companies political landscape and the latent impact of COVID. “We trust
When it comes to the paint and coatings manufacturers he speaks our strength, health, diverse adaptable approach and reach offers
with, Grskovic said that the priority is always quality. a satisfactory level of confidence,” Richardson added.
“Only by means of precise control of the particle size distribu- Shrider said that outlook for this year is encouraging.
tion in the paints, varnishes and coatings production can product “With the combination of Gardco and the newly acquired
performance be improved – specifically precision, accuracy, du- PELT (high resolution multilayer film thickness) instrumentation,
rability, and consistency of the paint and coating results are im- BYK-Gardner is in a unique position to supply, support and ser-
proved; this enables the interaction with different materials such vice the paint and coatings industry globally,” he said. “We feel
as plastics, ceramics or metals,” added Grskovic. “This is where that the instrumentation market will grow at a faster rate than the
our technology enables us to help our customers become market paint and coatings market in the following year.”
leaders in their respective categories.” “Growth is poised in part due to positive economic indicators
Maeder noted that paint and coatings companies are looking and IRA benefits,” Maeder noted. “However, being an election
for productivity increases through process modernization with the year, certain national or international political instabilities may
same footprint, sustainability, automation of processes, general stall some projects until next year.”
safety improvements, cost reduction, and quality improvements. Fulford said that Hockmeyer Equipment is confident that
Richardson said that efficiency and user friendliness related to business will maintain its upward growth trajectory, delivering
faster batch change over, optimized throughputs and waste man- exceptional service to new and existing clients with solutions tai-
agement are important to paint and coatings manufacturers. lored to their needs.
“Fortunately, our equipment is uniquely tailored to meet these “Our factory addition, just completed, includes an enhanced
needs, providing solutions for single batch passes, high through- lab testing area, a state-of-the-art electrical department, an ex-
put on all finishes including dark high gloss TGIC-free require- panded machine shop, and new assembly and storage areas,”
ments as well as recycling fines, all the while remaining operator Fulford added. “This expansion will enable us to keep creating,
friendly,” Richardson said. innovating, and offering our clients the level of service they have
“Efficiency, safety, cleanability, sustainability, and ease of come to expect from Hockmeyer.” CW

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 Industry News
ALTANA to Acquire Silberline, Expand Global
Presence in Effect Pigments

A
LTANA has entered into an agree- certificate for its use of renewable ac- innovator developing circular solutions
ment to acquire the Silberline etone in the production of isophorone- and sustainable products for customers,”
Group. The US company spe- based products. Orion CEO Corning Painter said. “ISCC
cializes in developing and manufactur- The accreditation of the site at Mobile PLUS verifies the transparency and trace-
ing effect pigments utilized in various allows Evonik to produce and market ability of sustainable raw materials in our
applications, ranging from automotive its renewable isophorone-based, VESTA value chain. It also shows our dedication
coatings and printing inks to plastics, eCO series in the US for the first time. to sustainability.”
protective coatings, and packaged European production started in 2022 fol- Last year, Orion was the first to achieve
consumer goods. lowing the Herne, Germany Crosslinkers ISCC PLUS for multiple carbon black
“The acquisition is further proof that production site’s certification. grades made from different feedstocks at
we are sustainably implementing our Using acetone made from renew- plants in two regions of the world. The
strategy of generating value-creating able bio-circular materials derived from facilities were in Borger, Texas; Belpre,
growth through targeted acquisitions,” industrial waste, like used cooking oils Ohio; and Jaslo, Poland.
said Martin Babilas, CEO ALTANA AG. integrated with existing feedstocks, en-
With the move, ALTANA is strategically ables Evonik to provide the only renew- Nouryon First to Obtain
expanding its ECKART division and able isophorone platform of isophorone, ISCC PLUS Certification
strengthening its regional presence, par- -diamine and -diisocyanate products on For Green MCA
ticularly in North America and Asia. the market. By reducing its reliance on Nouryon announced that it is now cer-
“The local research and production fossil-based acetone, Evonik is lowering tified to the International Sustainability
capacities of Silberline and ECKART the carbon footprint of its own produc- and Carbon Certification standard ISCC
complement each other perfectly. The tion, while also supporting customers in PLUS for the production of green mono-
merger will enhance our ability to re- the region to address their own sustain- chloroacetic acid (MCA) at its site in
spond flexibly to regional customer needs ability, CO2 reduction and environmental Delfzijl, the Netherlands.
and further optimize our service quality,” regulation demands. “We are pleased to be the first sup-
explained Dr. Christian Przybyla, presi- “From the renewable feedstocks and plier to offer green MCA as a building
dent of ECKART. our production, to the consumers buy- block for our customers that contributes
“The acquisition of Silberline by ing ISCC PLUS-certified products, we can to their sustainability goals,” said Joppe
ECKART creates new potential,” keep track of each renewable molecule Smit, senior vice president of natural re-
said Gary Karnish, CEO of Silberline. we use from the entire supply chain,” sources and intermediates at Nouryon.
“Together, we can more intensively drive said John Duggan, head of Evonik “Today’s announcement underscores our
the development of sustainable product Crosslinkers business line, Americas. efforts to deliver solutions that contribute
innovations, benefiting both customers to a more sustainable future.”
and employees.” Orion S.A. Has Four
Silberline, headquartered in Tamaqua, Carbon Black Plants Milliken & Company
PA, was founded in 1945 and currently Awarded ISCC PLUS Garners EcoVadis
employs more than 450 people globally. Orion S.A. announced a fourth plant has Gold Rating
In 2022, the company achieved sales of earned International Sustainability and Milliken & Company received a gold
approximately $80 million. The comple- Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS). The rating on its 2023 EcoVadis assessment.
tion of the transaction is still subject to company now leads its industry with Milliken’s 2023 EcoVadis score, assessed
customary closing conditions, and both the number of certified carbon black across its specialty chemical, textile,
parties have agreed not to disclose the production sites. floor covering and healthcare operations,
purchase price. Orion’s facility in Cologne, Germany, places the company in the top 2% of
was the company’s latest plant to pass organizations rated.
Evonik Crosslinkers extensive audits confirming the site’s “We are committed to making real,
Site in North America compliance with rigorous ISCC PLUS positive and tangible impacts on the
Receives ISCC PLUS sustainability requirements. The plant world around us. Our EcoVadis rating
Sustainability Certification was certified for producing circular and helps translate our work across the value
Evonik’s site in Mobile, AL has been bio-circular raw materials. chain,” said Halsey Cook, president and
awarded the ISCC PLUS sustainability “Orion has long been a leading CEO of Milliken & Company. CW

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 People

WEG Names Alberto Kuba CEO

W
EG announced to its share- we have traveled so far,” said Schmelzer. PPG Announces Leadership
holders and the general mar- After the deliberations of the Board of Changes in Aerospace
ket that, as approved at an Directors, the representatives of the con- Coatings Business
extraordinary meeting of the Board of trolling shareholder informed that they PPG announced the appointment of
Directors held on Dec. 7, 2023, and fol- will propose Schmelzer’s name for the Sam Millikin as vice president, aero-
lowing the succession plan of its Executive company’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting space coatings, effective Jan. 1, 2024. In
Team established, as from March 31, to be held in April 2024, for one of the this role, Millikin will lead this global
2024, the following movements will seats on the Board of Directors. strategic business and succeed Daniel
be implemented: Schmelzer’s trajectory leading the G. Korte, current senior vice president,
• Within the succes- company achieved full recognition within PPG aerospace coatings, who has an-
sion planning, structured the organization for his boldness, dedica- nounced his intent to retire in the second
and conducted by the tion, and ability to deliver notable results quarter 2024.
Board of Directors with over 16 years, supported by numerous Millikin joined PPG in
the support of consultan- awards from different entities, business 1989 and has progressed
cies, Harry Schmelzer Jr. forums, and the specialized press. through various roles of
will leave the position Kuba He was also able to understand and increasing responsibility
of CEO of the company replicate the culture of the company’s during his 34 years. This
on March 31, 2024, ending an executive founders for more than 40,000 employ- has included roles in ac-
cycle of more than four decades, being 16 ees worldwide, leading to a continuous count management, sales Millikin
years leading WEG Group. and sustainable growth of WEG Group’s and marketing within
• As successor, effective April 1, 2024, business in challenging scenarios, trans- PPG’s specialty coatings and materials
Alberto Yoshikazu Kuba, an executive forming the company’s value from a business. In 2013, Millikin joined PPG’s
with a career of more than 21 years at the small cap in 2007 to one of the top 10 aerospace packaging business as a global
company and current managing director most valuable companies on the Brazilian platform business manager with respon-
of the Industrial Electric Motors division, stock exchange in 2023. sibility for strategy development, pricing,
will be appointed. “Harry’s participation was of funda- marketing, manufacturing, supply chain
Kuba, 44, is an electrical engineer with mental importance for the WEG’s expan- and engineering/product development.
a specialization in business management, sion process over these 16 years in which He was named global platform director
having built his career at the company he led the company,” said Décio da Silva, for PPG’s aerospace sealants and pack-
in the areas of industrial electric motors chairman of the WEG Board of Directors. aging business in 2017 where he man-
sales in Brazil between 2004-2009 and, “The result can be observed by the sig- aged all aspects of this business. In 2020,
for 10 years, in China, where he worked nificant appreciation of our shares in Millikin was appointed to his current role
in the commercial area between 2010- these years. A new cycle begins now with of global platform director of PPG’s aero-
2015, then assuming the position of man- Alberto Kuba, who, with the support of space coatings and sealants business.
aging director of local operations until the administration, directors, managers, “Sam’s proven leadership and ex-
2019, returning to Brazil in 2020, when and employees, will have the mission of perience in the aerospace industry will
he took his current role. moving forward in leading the company, be invaluable in this important role at
“Gratitude is the essence that perme- inspired by his predecessors and motivat- PPG,” said Tim Knavish, PPG chairman
ates my journey at WEG. I am grateful to ed by new challenges on the horizon of and CEO. “We thank Dan for his many
the extraordinary team that stood by my the WEG Group.” contributions. His leadership and com-
side. Together and aligned with WEG’s Kuba expresses gratitude for the trust mitment to continuous improvement has
culture, we faced challenges, celebrated and emphasizes the importance of con- strengthened the aerospace business and
victories, and built a successful path that tinuing the legacy left by his predecessors. allowed PPG to provide customers with
will be marked in the company’s history. “We will continue focused on growth many new solutions. We thank Dan for
I conclude my CEO journey very proud and attentive to market movements, valu- his tremendous service and congratulate
of everything we have accomplished to- ing reinvestment of profits, continued Sam on this key leadership position.”
gether. To Kuba, I wish success, wisdom, market expansion, investment in technol- Korte joined PPG in 2018 from LMI
future vision, and resilience in leading the ogy, participative management, as well Aerospace, Inc., where he was chief ex-
business. I am confident that the compa- as the appreciation and development of ecutive officer and a member of the com-
ny’s future will be as bright as the path people,” said Kuba. pany’s board of directors. Prior to LMI,

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 People
he progressed through various roles at together with the other Teknos Poland research and product develop-
Boeing, including program manager, F/A- leadership team members, we will create ment activities for PPG’s mo-
18E; vice president, supplier management a roadmap to take us to even greater suc- bility initiatives in addition to
and procurement; and vice president and cess in the future,” said Hakola. the Automotive and Industrial
general manager, global strike systems. “I am pleased that my work at Teknos Coatings segments.
He also served as president, defense busi- has been appreciated so far and for the Kappas has nearly 40 years of experi-
ness at Rolls-Royce. trust that has been placed in me. Together, ence at PPG and held general management
we will start the next chapter in Teknos roles, including leading the protective and
ICP Group Names Poland. Now it is time to work together marine coatings and automotive coat-
Jason Fretz SVP of Sales to make this a success,” added Cicherski. ings businesses in the Americas region
ICP Group (ICP) has named Jason Fretz, Piotr Niedziółka, after 17 years, has and operational leadership roles in sus-
a building and construction industry sales decided to leave the company. Niedziółka tainability, manufacturing, supply chain,
leader with more than 20 years of expe- joined Teknos in 2006 as a sales direc- procurement, human resources, and envi-
rience, as its new vice president of sales tor and was promoted to his current role ronment, health and safety (EHS) during
for roofing and waterproofing retail and in 2010. her career.
distribution. “I would like to thank Piotr for every- An avid believer in diversity, equity
In this role, Fretz will lead sales strat- thing he has done for Teknos during his and inclusion, Kappas was the founder
egy for the portfolio of APOC, Pli-Dek 17 years of service with us, and I wish of PPG’s Women’s Leadership Council
and exclusive brands in roofing and wa- him all the best for the future,” said Paula and a founding member of the LGBTQ
terproofing solutions, focusing on grow- Salastie, Teknos CEO. Council. She was named PPG’s first vice
ing sales and expanding the business On the organizational level, the president, global sustainability in 2021.
reach to roofing professionals throughout Management Board from now on will
North America. be represented by Salastie as the owner Shamrock Technologies
“We’re excited to add Jason, whose of the company, as well as Katarzyna Names Michael Kellen
established sales excellence and strategic Kieliszczyk, financial director of President
approach make him an optimal leader Teknos Sp. o.o. Shamrock Technologies, Inc. announced
for roofing and waterproofing sales, to the appointment of Michael Kellen as
the team as we continue to grow the PPG Appoints Peter president, effective immediately.
business,” said Jay Doubman, president Votruba-Drzal VP-Elect, Shamrock chairman Bill Neuberg said,
and CEO, ICP Group. “His experience Global Sustainability; “Since joining Shamrock in February
in the building products space will en- Diane Kappas to Retire 2022, Mr. Kellen has done an exceptional
able him to elevate our high-performance PPG announced that Peter Votruba-Drzal job of demonstrating his knowledge and
roofing and waterproofing solution will become vice president-elect, global leadership capacity, both of which have
in the marketplace, further establish- sustainability, effective immediately. benefited the company,” as it pivots to-
ing APOC and Pli-Dek as the premier Diane Kappas, current vice president, wards the future.
roofing and waterproofing brands for global sustainability has announced her Kellen has managed direct sales and
professionals everywhere.” intention to retire from PPG, effective chemical manufacturing divisions for
July 1, 2024. the last 25+ years, as he has held senior
Tomasz Cicherski Votruba-Drzal joined leadership roles in the inks, coatings,
Named Country Leader PPG in 2005, following and chemical industries. Using his dem-
For Teknos Poland a role as a materials re- onstrated success in implementing effec-
With immediate effect, Tomasz Cicherski searcher at the National tive sales and product strategies, Kellen is
is appointed country lead for Teknos Institute of Standards and committed to leading Shamrock and de-
Poland. He will continue in his current Technology. Throughout veloping its innovative product portfolio
role as operations director for Poland his tenure at PPG, he Votruba-Drzal and customer services.
and report to Sameli Hakola, chief sup- has held various tech- Kellen will be supported by a global
ply chain officer. nical and technical management roles team of experienced leaders and advi-
In this new role, Cicherski will take over of increasing responsibility, including sors, including Joon Choo, Shamrock’s
the day-to-day coordination and leader- supporting six different businesses with former president. Choo has graciously
ship of the Teknos Poland Leadership a focus on harnessing innovation to agreed to stay on as a consultant to as-
Team and ensure effective communication drive growth. sist Shamrock, sharing his vast prod-
between the Teknos Group, other coun- Since 2022, he has led the technical uct marketing knowledge, customer/
tries and within our Polish organization. activities for PPG’s architectural coat- distributor initiatives, and supporting the
“I am delighted that Tomasz has agreed ings and traffic solutions businesses. new leadership transition and changes
to take on this new role. I’m sure that Prior to this role, Votruba-Drzal led the for Shamrock. CW

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 Suppliers Corner

Active Minerals International Introduces

Min-U-Gel 500+

A
ctive Minerals International un- transportation of the products by signifi- by means of an adjustable hub, enabling
veiled Min-U-Gel 500+, an at- cantly reducing distances. it to be raised or lowered to accommo-
tapulgite product designed for The Dilovasi plant in Turkey plays date various batch volumes and ensure
superior thixotropic performance in an important role in BASF’s addi- rapid wet-out of solid ingredients.
both water- and solvent-based formu- tives business, serving as a key sup-
lations for paints, coatings, adhesives, ply point for Dispex AA products, Advancion Launches
and agriculture. including defoamers. Multi-Functional Etheramine
Min-U-Gel 500+, the latest addition to The recent expansion of the poly- For Waterborne
Active Minerals International’s product acrylic-dispersing-agent line and the Industrial Coatings
portfolio, is designed to exceed the expec- now enlarged defoamer capacity further Advancion Corporation announced the
tations of customers. strengthen the plant’s role in BASF’s ad- commercial launch of a new etheramine
While retaining the versatility and ditives business. with a unique combination of balanced
application range of Min-U-Gel 400, “The additional capacity in Dilovasi properties that can deliver performance
Min-U-Gel 500+ takes performance to a enables us to support the growth plans of advantages addressing these concerns.
higher level. our customers in the region and improve DMMOPA (N,N-Dimethyl-3
Min-U-Gel 500+ offers finer particle our service level,” explained Joachim methoxypropyl- amine, CAS No.:
size, as it is engineered for enhanced Burger, head of sales additives EMEA. 20650-07-1) is a proprietary, multi-
dispersion and adsorption properties. It Defoamers are essential in the produc- functional formulating ingredient de-
also offers exceptional performance; in tion of paints, coatings and inks since veloped and produced by Advancion
extensive lab testing, Min-U-Gel 500+ they prevent not only foaming but also, for use in water-based resins, automo-
has demonstrated its capacity for com- as a result, defect formation. BASF’s tive and industrial coatings, inks, and
parable, if not superior, performance to Foamaster and Foamstar products are other applications.
leading attapulgite products. well-known for their high performance in In certain waterborne industrial and
“Min-U-Gel 500+ is a testament to defoaming applications. automotive applications, coatings for-
our commitment to innovation and ex- mulations with DMMOPA cured faster
cellence in the industrial minerals indus- ROSS Showcases and harder with an improved solvent re-
try,” said Michael Morris, sales director 1,500-Gallon sistance at a reduced curing temperature
at Active Minerals International. “We be- Dual-Shaft Mixer compared to formulations using other
lieve this new product has a performance Designed for processing high viscosity commodity neutralizers.
standard that rivals top competing at- dispersions and suspensions, the ROSS
tapulgite products on the market today.” line of Dual-Shaft Mixers are versatile Wanhua Chemical
systems utilized in the chemical, pharma- Group Launches
BASF Increases ceutical, food, cosmetic, adhesive, coat- Waterproof Polyether
Defoamer Capacity at ing, composite and other industries. Wanhua Chemical Group released
Dilovasi Plant in Turkey The purpose-built ROSS FDA-1500 WANOL C2020E waterproof polyether
BASF has announced the expansion of has a maximum working capacity of product for the coating industry.
defoamer capacity at its Dilovasi plant 1500 gallons and features a dish-bottom WANOL C2020E is part of the
in Turkey. The new production line in- stainless steel mix vessel with a 50-psig WANOL C2020 series. This new product
creases the company’s capacity on site, al- dimpled heating/cooling jacket. The FDA- is designed to reduce viscosity without
lowing a better response to rising demand 1500 is capable of operation under vacu- changing the polyurethane polymeriza-
for high-performance Foamaster and um up to 29.5”Hg. tion process, improving workability. Also,
Foamstar products in South-East Europe, The mixer’s independently-driven agi- it improves the flexibility of polyurethane
the Middle East and Africa. tators – a 40 HP Two-Wing Anchor and a enhancing its elongation property, which
By increasing its production capacity 150 HP High Speed Disperser – are sup- results in optimized applications in wa-
significantly, BASF will improve its ser- ported from a heavy-duty agitator bridge. terproof coatings.
vice to customers in the region and re- The disperser shaft runs up to 695 rpm WANOL C2020E is eco-friendly with
duce lead times to ensure faster delivery. and is equipped with two 20” diameter a lower content of organic volatile com-
The new production line also sawtooth blades. The lower blade is sta- pounds, making it suitable for solvent-
helps BASF to cut emissions related to tionary, while the upper blade is attached free systems. CW

48 | Coatings World ­www.coatingsworld.com January/February 2024

48 CW suppliers corner 0124.indd 48 1/24/24 2:49 PM

 Classifiedsv

Blades Products & Services

Advertising Index

Company Name Page Website

BYK Gardner 5 www.byk-instruments.com

Custom Milling and Consulting 7 www.cmcmilling.com

IPCO Italy S.r.l 13 www.ipco.com

Munzing 17 www.munzing.com

OXERRA Americas, Inc. Cover 4 www.oxerra.com

R.E. Carroll 15 www.recarroll.com

RadTech Intl North America 35 www.radtech.org

Ross Mixers 3 www.mixers.com

Shamrock Technologies Inc. Cover 2 www.shamrocktechnologies.com

Siltech Corporation 9 www.siltech.com

SpecMetrix (Sensory Analytics) 12 www.specmetrix.com

Summit Dispersions LLC 11 www.summitdispersions.com

Vincentz Network GmbH & Co. KG Cover 3 www.american-coatings-show.com

January 2023 ­www.coatingsworld.com

January/February ­ Coatings
CoatingsWorld
World || 49
41

CWM CLASSIFIEDS 0124.indd 51 1/23/24 6:29 PM

 Final Coat

AkzoNobel’s International Paint Used on

China’s First Domestic Large Cruise Ship

T
he first large cruise ship to be built in China has set off on contains more than 25 million different parts and was produced
its maiden voyage, having been coated with International with the cooperation of more than 30 countries and over 8,000
paint supplied by AkzoNobel’s Marine, Protective and specialized suppliers.
Yacht Coatings business. The company’s International brand offers a leading portfolio
Constructed over a period of more than three years, the of coatings that protect and enhance vessel performance when
5,246-passenger Adora Magic City features the company’s facing different challenges, such as impact and abrasion, chemi-
Intersmooth fouling control technology. The high-performance cal resistance and biofouling accumulation. In this area, the
brand was specified on the hull of the milestone vessel due to its high product range helps to reduce biofouling build up and mitigate
durability, low VOC content and excellent application properties. drag over time, which helps to improve fuel efficiency and cut
The ship – which is 323.6 meters long and has a 1,292-person CO2 emissions.
crew capacity – was built by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Owners and operators can also benefit from the company’s
Co., Ltd. and the launch heralds a new beginning for the Chinese Intertrac software, which uses big data to support underwater
cruise ship new-build sector. hull scheme selection and predict and maximize lifetime perfor-
The newly launched ship, which weighs 135,500 tons, mance, while considering key industry regulations. CW

Photo courtesy of AkzoNobel.

50 | Coatings World ­www.coatingsworld.com January/February 2024

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