Coatings World - June 2015

In May, the British Coatings Federation (BCF) welcomed a re- cord number of guests to their Annual Conference in Chester. At the event, nearly 130 delegates enjoyed a full bill of stimulating presentations which included themes of sustainability, manufacturing, economics and legislation, all with relevance to the coatings industry. Guests enjoyed receiving an update of BCF’s numerous activities from the CEO Tom Bowtell, and were also enthralled by the awe-inspiring keynote speaker Richard Noble, OBE who presented the Bloodhound SSC (Super Sonic Car) and the project which will attempt to break the world ground speed record in 2016 by reaching the speed of 1,000 mph. Guests finished the evening with a champagne reception and gala dinner featuring comedian, Mike Osman.

The event marked the launch of PaintCare, an industry-led project to create a circular economy for leftover decorative paint in the UK. PaintCare aims to make better use of the estimated

50 million liters of decorative paint generated each year in the
country, much of which ends up in landfills today. The project
is backed by various stakeholders across the nation including
decorative paint manufacturers, retailers, trade associations,
waste management companies, local and national government
and other third-sector organizations. These stakeholders will be
confirming their commitment to help create a sustainable cir-
cular economy for leftover decorative paint, to increase reuse
and remanufacturing rates from two percent to more than 50
percent. More information about PaintCare can be found on the
newly launched website, www.paintcare.org.uk.

Minutes Matter was also launched at Conference. This is a three way partnership between BT, the Community HeartBeat Trust (CHT) and the BCF to help rural communities convert their local red telephone kiosk in to a life-saving defibrillator station. BCF members have given overwhelming support, providing undercoat and red gloss paint for over 80 telephone kiosks since the launch in 2013, restoring them to their former glory.