PRA News of the Month > Current Edition

Welcome to PRA News of the Month, an overview of what is happening in the world of surface coatings. To receive News of the Month, or notification each time it is published, please subscribe to the mailing list.

World Surface Coatings Abstracts Reaches 800 and 82

World Surface Coatings Abstracts recently produced its 800th issue in its 82nd year!

During this time it has been a mirror to many changes in the industry, from topics in 1928 such as lithopone, drying oils and refinishing of motor cars with nitrocellulose lacquers, to ultraviolet-curable coatings, photoactives, nanotechnology, etc in 2009. The journal itself started out publishing 6 issues a year and later 12 issues, hence the disparity between the number of issues and the years of publication.

Developments over the years include computerisation of production (from posting boxes of punched tape to in-house processes), on-line searching (from dial-up access, the IPSS and briefcase sized modems to fast searching from your computer via the Internet) currently on Dialog and STN, monthly alerts (on topics such as corrosion, wood and anti-microbial), and pdf versions. Details are on our website.

The name of the journal has likewise changed, from the original 'Review of Current Literature relating to the Paint, Colour and Varnish industries' (known as the Review) via a couple of variations on this title to, in 1969, the current World Surface Coatings Abstracts (WSCA).

Searchable access to WSCA database via the PRA's own website is planned. Please contact Norman Morgan it you would like to be kept up to date by e-mail.

Measurement & Testing of Coatings: Vital for Sustainability

2-day Conference and Mini-exhibition
MEASUREMENT & TESTING OF COATINGS, 12 - 13 May 2009, Birmingham

In response to legislation and environmental concern, formulators are developing new products and the role of accurate measurement and testing is therefore of critical importance, not only at the formulation stage but also at the production stage. The conference is important for technical and managerial staff who are involved in the testing, research, production and marketing of raw materials, coatings and the finished product.

The programme and further information can be seen on our website

For further information please contact the Events Manager

Keep up to date with some of the latest developments in the Coatings Industry with Latest News. Recent headlines include:

Click on the links below for more details of PRA publications. For information about any of our technical publications please contact Richard Kennedy. For information about publications relating to market information Coatings COMET or EPRN) please contact Glenda Thisdell. For information about our publication relating to regulatory information (SHE Alert) please email shealert@pra-world.com.

MARKET INFORMATION

PPG Issues First Corporate Sustainability Report

PPG Industries has issued its first corporate sustainability report. The document provides an in-depth view of PPG’s status and progress on economic, environmental and safety, and social involvement initiatives. COMET, April 2009

Kemira: Tikkurila opens a logistics and customer service center in Mytishchi near Moscow

Tikkurila, which is responsible for Kemira's paints and coatings business, is opening a new logistics and customer service center in Mytishchi near Moscow. COMET, April 2009

Hexion Specialty Chemicals Announces Preliminary First Quarter 2009 Results

Hexion Specialty Chemicals has announced preliminary results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009. As expected, first quarter 2009 volumes and operating margins continued trends experienced late in 2008. COMET, April 2009

Coatings COMET - COmpanies, Markets and Economic Trends

COMET is the perfect market intelligence companion for busy coatings executives in such areas as: Marketing, Export Department, Business Planning, Product Development, Corporate Affairs and New Business Opportunities.

European Paint & Resin News (EPRN)

European Paint & Resin News contains the essential news of the global coatings industry, providing information in a clear and simple format.

For information about Coatings COMET or EPRN please contact the editor, Glenda Thisdell.

REGULATORY INFORMATION

European Parliament's environment committee adopted calls for tighter controls on nanotechnology

The European Parliament's environment committee has adopted a report which calls for tighter controls on nanotechnology, including the application of the 'no data, no market' principle contained in the REACH Directive adopted by Swedish Green MEP Carl Schlyter. SHE Alert, April 2009

New VOC standards for Aerosol Coatings

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to amend the Aerosol Coatings Reactivity Rule (National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Aerosol Coatings). SHE Alert, April 2009

EECS' opinion on safety of toys' proposal

The Council decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee on the draft directive to improve the safety of toys. The Committee has stated the need to prohibit all carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) chemical substances, including those coming under category 3; and not only from the design of the toy itself, but also from all internal components. SHE Alert, April 2009

SHE Alert - (Safety, Health and Environment Alert)

A monthly bulletin on global regulatory safety, health and environmental matters relevant to the coatings industry, also available online as a searchable database. See SHE Alert highlights for July 2008.

For information about SHE Alert please contact the editor.

LIBRARY AND DATABASE SERVICES

Paint Titles

Stay informed of all new scientific and technical knowledge with Paint Titles, PRA’s weekly alerting service covering paints, coatings, adhesives and inks. PRA Members can browse Paint Titles online or download the PDF version free of charge. For a fee, non-members can also subscribe to Paint Titles by contacting Dr Norman Morgan.

For details of our document delivery service, please contact the PRA library.

World Surface Coatings Abstracts (WSCA)

WSCA is the industry’s premier search tool for coatings related technical information. Produced monthly in print and pdf formats, the electronic database version of WSCA contains more than 300 000 coatings-related abstracts collated over the last 30 years. WSCA also offers ‘personalised alerts’ and ‘one-off searches’. For further information contact Dr Norman Morgan.

SPECIALIST TECHNICAL NEWS

Patents

A patent application claims that polymer dispersion (preferably acrylic copolymer) containing ureido-functionality is a suitable formulating base for exterior coatings to be applied to timbers impregnated with hydrophobic compounds to render them suitable for exterior use. Dispersion Polymers, Technology and Applications, April 2009

A patent relating to the use of an apolar-modified polyisocyanate in order to reduce the pinhole sensitivity of a polyisocyanate-containing coating, is described. Waterborne and High Solids Coatings, April 2009

A low temperature curing powder coating comprising an epoxy-functional resin is cured with styrene maleimide in combination with at least one other curing agent. Polymer Curing Technologies, March/April 2009

Technology

RAFT-Mediated Surfactant-Free Emulsion Polymerisation of Vinyl Acetate

The preparation and deployment of a novel RAFT agent able also to act as stabiliser in the surfactant-free emulsion polymerisation of Vinyl Acetate is described.Dispersion Polymers, Technology and Applications, April 2009

Block resistance of low VOC acrylic paints: Influences of latex design parameters

A study is reported examining the influences of polymer design parameters on block resistance for low VOC acrylic paints, including the effects of surfactant choice, latex particle size, gel content and glass transition temperature of the acrylic polymer.Waterborne and High Solids Coatings, April 2009

Click chemistry as a promising tool for side-chain functionalization of polyurethanes

The copper-catalysed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction was employed between alkyne-functionalised polyurethanes (prepared by the reaction of alkyne-functional diols and diisocyanates) and various azide compounds to give side-chain functionalised linear PUs with varying degrees of functionalisation. Polymer Curing Technologies, March/April 2009

Waterborne and High Solids Coatings

Special Feature in April's issue

A beleaguered DIY market braves the downturn Helma Jotischky considers how the recession is affecting the DIY paint market and how retailers, paint manufacturers and consumers are adapting.

A monthly bulletin covering all aspects of waterborne and high solids technology from the properties of raw materials to the application and performance of the final coatings. See highlights from Waterborne and High Solids Coatings.

RADnews

Special Feature in the Winter Issue of RADnews

Hybrid systems: Part II Organic-inorganic hybrids

Stephen Davidson surveys methods, reported in the literature, of preparing nanocomposites combining radiation curable systems with silica, titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide and clays.

PRA’s quarterly newsletter for the radiation curing industry, RADnews, provides extensive information on patents relevant to radiation curing, articles appearing in the technical press — from academic research to commercial developments — and new developments in products and equipment.

Dispersion Polymers: Technology & Applications

Dispersion Polymers: Technology & Applications provides critical reviews of developments in dispersion polymer technology, covering new latex compositions, polymer processes, physical properties and applications of dispersion polymers in paints, adhesives, membranes, non-woven fabrics, textiles and paper.

Polymer Curing Technologies

Polymer Curing Technologies offers a critical overview of journal and patent literature from the following topics: curing types, radiation cure, physical properties and test methods.

The Sections and Chapters of the Global Industrial Coatings Markets 2006-2020 Study can be purchased individually or as packages. Contact our Sales Team (irfab@pra-world.com, T: +44 20 8487 0848).

For more information and a detailed listing of the contents of each chapter go to www.pra-world.com/publications/gic-report.htm

Irfab Multi-client Study: Specialist and Functional Architectural Coatings Market 2008-2018

The "Specialist and Functional Architectural Coatings Market" study will be the first of its kind on the European and Middle Eastern Markets providing a unique source of data and insights on this fragmented sector. It is intended to concentrate on the architectural coatings which have functional properties.

The study will bring you the benefit of this vital information base when formulating your global strategies - from technology to marketing. It will enable you to identify both the threats from competing technologies and future opportunities. Thus, the report will represent a reference guide for your long term strategic planning and provides a basis for more detailed segmental analysis.

The scope of the study will include Industrial, Commercial, Institutional, Residential, and Recreational Buildings. Systems with additional functional purposes to the expected aesthetic and protective properties of coatings will be described in the study.

Whilst an overview will be given on the global market for architectural and decorative coatings, analysis of standard interior paints, and the Do It Yourself 'DIY' market will not be included.

For more information visit

www.pra-world.com/irfab/sfacm/

Sustainability and the Environment

Sustainability is the hot topic of the day and is widely regarded as the key future issue for our industry.

The Brundtland report defined sustainable development as:

"Sustainable Development should meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

There appears to be a growing acceptance that sustainable development encompasses a balance between three components - social, ecological and economic development. Sustainability is seen as an outcome of balancing these three drivers of sustainable development:

Social Objective: The needs of society

Economic Objective: The efficient management of scarce resources

Environmental Objective: The need to reduce the load on the eco-system in order to maintain the natural basis for life,

At PRA, we recognise the opportunity for innovation in sustainable development. As we have the right expertise, we are able to help you develop a strategy for sustainability, perform Life Cycle Analysis and formulate products with reduced environmental impact.

Raw materials substitution remains a challenging area, particularly in view of the REACH regulations, where proactive communication is needed throughout the supply chain. PRA, the essential connector to the global surface coatings community, can help you through its Environmental Information Services and Environmental Technical Services.

The complete range of services available can be seen at: www.pra-world.com/technical.

For further information or advice contact Peter Collins.

Powder Coating Technology

Powder Coating Technology, 2-3 June 2009

This intensive two day course seeks to provide a clear understanding of all aspects of powder coating technology. the course includes an insight into the formulation and manufacture of coating powders, both thermoplastic and thermosetting. Particular emphasis is given to coating selection (based on the anticipated requirements of the end user), outdoor exposure, corrosion resistance and costs benefits associated withpowder coating. Application techniques are discussed in-depth from simple fluidised bed dipping to fully authomated electrostatic systems.

Health, safety and environmental issues are covered for both the manufacturing and application processes.

The course includes a half-day practical session at a nearby powder coting installation, where there will be opportunities to apply coating powders, understand application parameters and test coatings in production conditions.

This course will be particularly useful to those responsible for the introduction and use of coating powders and for those, who on a day-to-day basis, wish to apply them efficiently and effectively.

For further information visit the website:

www.pra-world.com/training/powdercoating.htm.

To register for this or any of PRA's courses please use our online registration form

All PRA Courses are now accredited by OCCA and will be accepted as evidence of Continuing Professional Development. For further information contact Elisabeth Brown.

Training courses are held at the PRA Coatings Technology Centre in Hampton, near London's Heathrow Airport. Customised courses can often be organised to suit your individual needs based on one of the courses in the training programme or on other topics. These customised courses may be held at your own site or at PRA. This can be an effective way of training a workforce. To find out more contact our Training Manager Elisabeth Brown by email or phone +44 20 8487 0815 (Fax: +44 20 8487 0805).

2-day International Conference & Mini-Exhibition
Measurement and Testing of Coatings
12/13 May 2009, Birmingham, UK

There is still time to register for this event which provides an ideal opportunity for suppliers and users of testing equipment to discuss problems and solutions in a creative atmosphere, with the ever topical objective of reproducing in the laboratory effects observed in the real world.

The organisers have selected a range of papers covering the latest innovations in measurement and testing and the mini-exhibition will enable delegates to see the latest in measuring and testing equipment.

The programme for this event can be seen on our website:-

www.pra-world.com/n&l/conferences/measurementandtesting/

For further information please contact the Events Manager

PRA Conference: Architectural Coatings for the Green Age
27 – 28 October 2009, Nice, France

The conference will cover new developments in the DIY and Professional paint markets over the next decade, with particular emphasis on environmental sustainability.

Over 20 papers have been submitted from experts from well established organisations. The programme will include high level speakers from CEPE, EDRA (European Home Centre Retail Association), Rohm and Haas, BYK, Merck, Ciba, Evonik-Degussa, Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Cray Valley, Imerys, Cognis and the leading UK DIY retailer, B&Q.

The programme is in the process of being finalised and will be issued within the next month. For all participants, the conference will deliver a cost effective way of hearing about the latest developments and future direction of the Architectural Coatings market, as well as making multiple professional contacts at one place and over a short period of time.

Further information can be seen on our website

A list of other conferences, exhibitions and events is also available in our Coatings Events Diary.

IMFAIR 09, The institute of Metal Finishing
10-11 June 2009,Royal Air Force Museum, Cosford, UK

IMFair '09 is set to be the UK's largest and most in-depth surface coating and surface engineering conference and exhibition, aimed at the aerospace industry. For further information and registration see the website,
The brochure can also be downloaded.

NanoMaterials09
Maritim Bonn Hotel, Germany, 16 - 18 June 2009

NanoMatrials09 will deliver a pre-conference workshop discussing nanotechnology risk management, two day conference featuring two plenary sessions and 5 afternoon application focused symposia, an exhibition and poster exhibition. The complete programme is available for download from the conference's official website: www.nanomaterials09.com

American/Canadian Conferences/Exhibitions

13th International Conference on Surface & Colloid Science
New York USA,14-19 June 2009

Coatings for Plastics
Chicago, USA, 23-24 June 09

Asia Pacific Conferences/Exhibitions

SCAA Annual Conference
6-8 August 2009-04-28 Glenelg, South Australia.

CHINACOAT 2009
18-20 November 2009, Shanghai, China

E-mail Subscriptions

To receive the contents of PRA News of the Month in plain text format by email, or to receive an email notification each time a new issue is published, please complete the online subscription form. You are free to unsubscribe or re-subscribe at any point — detailed instructions are included at the end of each email. Any number of people within your organisation may subscribe.

If you have any comments on PRA News of the Month, or if you have relevant news items you would like included, please contact the Editor.

News of the Month – April 2009

What’s New