CHINACOAT 2009 Exceeded Expectations
CHINACOAT closed with a growing number of visitors despite the global recession.
BY TIM WRIGHT
EDITOR
There is no doubt that the Chinese paint and coatings industry is the strongest growth market in the world. It is the second-largest producer of coatings worldwide,
and it likely will surpass the U.S. in coatings production in the
near future. That should be clear from the interest from the
global coatings community as more than 50 leading foreign
coatings manufacturers have operations in China. It is already
the world’s largest producer of powder coatings, while the
country’s automotive OEM, wood coatings, architectural paints
and functional coatings businesses are flourishing.
As a result, it is understandable why CHINACOAT (The
China Int’l Exhibition for Coatings, Printing Inks and
Adhesives) has become one of the leading coatings show worldwide. Organized by Hong Kong-based Sinostar International
Ltd., CHINACOAT 2009 returned to the Shanghai New
International Expo Centre (SNIEC)—the show alternates
between Shanghai and Guangzhou—from Nov. 18-20.
CHINACOAT 2009 was as strong as in past years, which is
not an easy accomplishment at a time when other trade shows
are slumping due to the global recession. Over the course of
the three-day event 24,369 visitors attended the exhibition.
Domestic China visitors accounted for 21,271 of the visitors
while overseas visitors made up the remaining 3,098. There
were 655 direct exhibitors on hand from 30 countries including 453 Chinese producers of raw materials and equipment.
The total number of new exhibitors was 191.
Raymond Ho, director of Sinostar International, said the
show’s continued growth proves just how strong the
Chinese coatings industry remains.
“With the worldwide recession still lingering on, our ini-
tial thoughts were not optimistic,” said Mr. Ho. “But now I
can proudly announce that the total number of exhibitors
almost equals last year’s figures.”
CHINACOAT represents more than just the exhibition
floor. CHINACOAT 2009 featured a wide range of learning
opportunities, including the 7th CHINACOAT Conference
and two specialized seminars—“Design & Optimization of
Coatings/Inks Formulations” and “Fundamental Principles
of Coatings & Adhesives Formulation.” There were two
National Presentations as well, focusing on the paint mar-
kets of Thailand and the Philippines, as well as the New-
Tech Corner. These all combined to provide coatings profes-
sionals with the best possible education on what is occur-
ring in the industry.
“Our 7th CHINACOAT Conference on Automotive
Finishes focused on durability and ecology; speakers from
Thailand and Philippines provided an overview of their
The total number of visitors to CHINACOAT 2009 was 24,369.
national coatings business and our New-Tech Corner
explored hygienic coatings and functional additives,” Mr.
Ho said. “This, plus the workshops and product-based seminars, proved that the show will continue to strive to maintain our foremost aim: productive technology transfer.”
THE 7TH CHINACOAT CONFERENCE
Automotive finishes are a critical part of the coatings
industry, and as such, were a perfect topic for The 7th CHINACOAT Conference, which was held Nov. 16 and Nov. 17
at the Sheraton Shanghai Hotel, Pudong.
“Automotive Finishes: Focusing on the Key Aspects of
Durability & Ecology” showcased the growth of the Chinese
automotive and automotive coatings industry. It was noted
that China has more car brands than the U.S., and there
has been stunning growth in ownership of vehicles, growing from 25 million at the end of 2005 to nearly 45 million
at the end of 2008. As a result, OEM coatings output is
growing dramatically.
Mr. Dip Dasgupta, chairman, DD Technology Forum, UK,
and chair of The 7th CHINACOAT Conference, spoke of the
growth of the automotive coatings market in China, and its
selection as the topic for the CHINACOAT Conference.
“China’s automobile industry is experiencing a phenom-
enal growth,” Mr. Dasgupta said. “The Chinese car market
overtook Japan in 2007 and now I understand that it has
just moved past the U.S. So the selection of this theme has
been very appropriate. OEM coatings output, currently
over 180,000 tons is set to reach 300,000 by 2010.”
There are critical needs for automotive coatings. Quality
and durability are essential, and sustainability and envi-
ronmental concerns are equally important.
