Coatings World - October 2009

Fresh Paint

ECOLOGY COATINGS SIGNS
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH
MAJOR U.S. TOBACCO COMPANY

Ecology Coatings, Inc. has signed a collaboration agreement with a major tobacco company for the application of its technology for producing “fire standard compliant” (FSC) cigarettes. FSC cigarettes are designed to meet government reduced ignition propensity testing standards. Ecology has filed a patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its technology.

The agreement establishes the framework under which the two companies plan to test and commercialize FSC cigarettes using Ecology Coatings’ unique paper coating technology. Milestone payments will be

made to Ecology Coatings as predefined development and testing milestones are met. If those payments are met, royalty payments will commence with market introduction and product sales.

The Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes reports that approximately 40 states in the U.S. and Washington, D.C., have passed legislation calling for the production of FSC cigarettes ( http://firesafe-cigarettes.org/). The Coalition’s goal is to save lives and prevent injuries due to cigarette-induced fires. The Coalition reports that 99.8 percent of the U.S. population is now or soon will be governed by state fire-safe cigarette legislation.

(1)The source of this information is

the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

NACE AND PCI FORM NEW
INDUSTRIAL COATINGS SHOW

The Powder Coating Institute (PCI) and NACE International, The Corrosion Society (NACE), will be partnering to produce The North American Industrial Coating Show at the Indianapolis Convention Center, October 27-29, 2010.

The event will replace PCI’s The Coating Show and NACE’s CoatingsPro show. “This will be the premier coatings show in North America and we are excited about partnering with NACE and other associations as we continue to expand this show to encompass all facets of the industrial coatings

BASF Automotive Color Trends

BASF Coatings designers forecast automotive color trends of the future.

Turbulence, crisis, recession. Today’s events of the global markets have an impact on trends. “It’s true that uncertainty and tension are impacting current trends. But when it comes to the world of colors, we are not observing a doomsday mentality,” said Eva Höfli and Mark Gutjahr, color designers at BASF Coatings AG. Quite the opposite, in fact. Colors actually reinforce the trend by taking on, processing and reflecting topics ranging from harmony to confusion and even the crisis itself, according to the color experts. Thus, colors will continue to serve as a factor in the emotions accompanying the decision to buy a car.

While in the past the color spectrum focused on the spectacular, it is now featuring very individual, even personal colors. “What will the future bring?” is the question of the hour, reflecting a shift to a level-headed concentration on one’s own capacity rather than the high-strung cut-throat attitude of the past. “In an impressive manner, the global financial crisis has demonstrated the fragility of the material fortune we cling to,” said Gutjahr. In line with this, the automotive color trends of tomorrow are reflecting the realization

that there’s more to life than material wealth. Gutjahr and Höfli are observing three major developments.

THE NEW ECO-DRIVERS: GUARDIANS OF THE EARTH

Environmental concerns have had wide repercussions and are gaining in significance. Former “eco-activists” have become the guardians of the earth with a powerful impact on trends. For them, ecology, individuality and awareness of luxury are inseparable. They have broadened their thematic and emotional horizons, which in turn impacts the tenor of the color climate. “In this ‘new ecology,’ we are observing sensual pastels ranging from a grayed apricot to a yellowish beige,” Höfli said. Green, the color logo of the ecology movement, is developing more toward warmer, more discreet color ranges and in so doing, reflects a more conscientious and decelerated awareness of ecological concerns. Warm browns are also part of the repertoire. “The notions of reductionism and ‘going without’ used to be associated with ‘green ideology. ‘That has changed today. These days, an ecological mindset can also be luxurious and elegant,” said Gutjahr, describing society’s change in attitude.

In addition to this abstract natural approach to life, the color spectrum of intelligent ecology is also showing its emotional sides. Powerful blues and dark, warm greens are being used with a great deal of sensitivity and intensity.