Show Report: ACS 2008
Coatings Show is the only event of its
kind they visit, and two thirds had
already decided at the 2008 show that
they would be back for the American
Coatings Show 2010.
For the 331 exhibitors occupying
68,600 square feet of exhibition space,
the launch of the American Coatings
Show exceeded all expectations in
terms of demand, according to NPCA
and Vincentz. International businesses accounted for 24% of exhibitors; top
exhibiting countries after the U.S.
were China, Germany, India, Canada,
South Korea and the UK.
Attracting new customers (84%),
maintaining existing business relationships (77%) and enhancing industry
image (66%; multiple responses
allowed) were among the key reasons
why exhibitors participated in the
American Coatings Show 2008.
Approximately 95% stated that they
were able to reach their main target
groups and establish new leads. Eight
out of ten exhibitors were satisfied with
the professional expertise of visitors,
and just as many expect follow-up business from the show. Overall, 86% of
exhibitors viewed their participation in
the show as positive, with a third ranking it as good or very good. For more
than 80% of companies, the American
Coatings Show represents an important or very important component of
their marketing efforts. About 85%
were satisfied with the trade show’s
organization and the services provided.
By the last day of the show, 60% had
already decided to return in 2010.
Additionally, the sold-out American
Coatings Conference was a resounding success. Featuring more than 70
presentations and other events as
well as 750 attendees from 25 countries, attendance doubled expectations, according to the organizers. The
conference program was jointly developed by the new Science & Technology
Initiative of the NPCA and Vincentz.
EXHIBITORS DISPLAY
INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS
Exhibitors at ACS 2008 eagerly displayed their products and technology
to attendees.
Lubrizol Advanced Materials,
Inc., introduced its Carboset CA-600
acrylic polymer designed to enhances
the performance and appearance of
mineral-based, horizontal masonry surface. Carboset CA-600 polymer provides
blush-resistance and weathering on
driveways, sidewalks, patios, pavers,
overlays, decorative concrete and
garage floors. It can be used in clears,
semi-transparent stains and fully pigmented systems. With wide formulating
latitude, Carboset CA-600 can be
applied wet-on-wet directly on cementi-tous substrates, over acid stains and/or
over substrates previously treated with
latex coatings and in both interior and
exterior applications.
For wood coatings formulators and
contractors Lubrizol highlighted
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF INDUSTRY
Keynote speakers at the American Coatings Conference discussed key issues concerning the future of the coatings industry in America. In his talk, Lewis Manring, global platform technology director of coatings and color
for DuPont Performance Coatings, stressed the importance of renewable resources for the future of the coatings
industry. “The coatings industry has greatly helped to reduce VOC emissions levels over the past 30 years. Now
we must focus on the next path towards sustainability: renewable resources,” he said.
With rising oil prices, changing environmental policies and customer demands driving the search for renewable
alternatives, Manring highlighted the importance of collaborative partnerships to adapt existing materials for sustainable manufacturing. “The NPCA should facilitate connections between raw material suppliers, coatings producers, large customers and biotech companies to help drive the industry towards renewable alternatives,” he said.
Wendy Hoenig, vice president R&D for Dow Coating Solutions, built on Manring’s themes by exploring how modern
materials research will take the industry
to new heights. Hoenig highlighted the
sector’s innovations in sustainable solutions (waterborne coatings), enhanced
durability (scratch-resistant coatings),
“smart” coatings (photocatalytic paints)
and throughput research. She also
stressed the importance of working with
OEM partners to streamline production
processes to lower costs, reduce energy
usage and improve product performance.
“The coatings industry is growing fast,”
said Hoenig. “But only by embracing collaboration and innovation we can ensure
productivity and long-term success.”
Lewis Manring (left), DuPont Performance Coatings and Wendy Hoenig, Dow
Coatings Solutions, took a look into the future of coatings during their keynote
presentations at the American Coatings Conference.
