Now that the European Coatings Show (ECS) 2023 is in the books, it is clear that the 2023 edition was successful, as 24,605 attendees came through the doors to meet with the 1,017 exhibitors from 42 countries who were showcasing their newest technologies at Messe Nuremberg.

Even though COVID-19 was on the back burner, there were still some challenges, including a massive 24-hour transportation strike that shut down the airports, train and subway stations on the Monday before the show opened. But the exhibition went on as schedule, opening March 28 and closing on the 30th.

There were also plenty of educational opportunities, as 730 industry professionals attended the two-day European Coatings Conference. The conference offered 143 presentations, led by the keynote talk by AkzoNobel’s Wijnand Bruinsma, who spoke on “The Role of Paints and Coatings in a Sustainable Future.” In addition, there were 160 product presentations on the three stages placed around the show floor.

The European Coatings Show Award was presented to Dr. Hong Xu and her co-authors, Joseph Mauck (Cardolite USA) and James Zhao (Cardolite China), for “Pursue Greener – Novel Sustainable CNSL-Based Diluent Designed for High-Performance Low-VOC Protective Coatings.”

All in all, the European Coatings Show 2023 was a great opportunity to get together with friends and customers.

Reactions to ECS 2023

Overall, the feedback to ECS 2023 was excellent. Kristina Wilger, director event management for Vincentz Network, the organizers of the European Coatings Show, noted that it was great to get together with the industry after the past four years.

“After four years it was very exciting that the industry re-connected again in Nuremberg,” Wilger added. “Three great exhibition days and two conference days full of networking, business and knowledge transfer has now ended. We got already very good feedback from our exhibitors, visitors and delegates. The halls were filled, the presentations well visited and the mood at the exhibitor party was outstanding.”

In speaking with a few attendees, they were also happy with what they saw during this year’s European Coatings Show.

Kevin Bergeson, senior director procurement North America for Flint Group, noted that the European Coatings Show is one of the best events in the world for him, and added that this year was no exception.

The 2023 European coating show for me was a great opportunity to connect face-to-face with many old and new colleagues,” said Bergeson. “It brings a much-needed element of personal connection back to our business while we see all the new development suppliers had to offer.  Coming out of all of the supply chain disruptions and pandemic restrictions, it allowed me in many cases to meet suppliers for the first time. This was a great feeling to see how our global chemical industry and our people are extremely resilient!”

“It’s been a great show,” said Bob Whitely of JNS-Smithchem, who attended the show. “I visited our European suppliers as well as some customers. It’s a chance for all of us to meet in person. It’s not the same meeting by Zoom; it’s so much better meeting in person.”

Exhibitors also spoke highly of this year’s show.

“Ever since we started coming to the European Coatings Show, it’s been the best show we do,” said Robert Ruckle, global marketing and sales director for Siltech Corporation. “Theis year’s show seems busier than ever, and we are seeing a lot of people we know as well a lot of people we are just meeting now. It’s been a fantastic show.”

“It’s been crazy here,” said Joon Choo, president of Shamrock Technologies. “We’ve had great interactions with our customers, our suppliers and our peers. We’re at an inflection point on supply, as raw materials are freely available. We are seeing a lot of interest in the European Union toward green and sustainable technologies, and launching our BioSlip line is in line with where our customers are going. There is a lot of discussion ere about new products being introduced. We had a lot of suppliers coming to us offering new products. There is always a good mix of technological exchanges and networking and getting together with customers and suppliers.”

“We are thrilled with the successful return of ECS after four years, and with the opportunity to reconnect with industry partners and colleagues,” said J.M. Gauthier, president, Industrial Microbial Control for Arxada. “The show has been a great success and the perfect venue to share Arxada’s story, how we are built on the powerful legacies if Troy Corporation and Lonza Specialty Ingredients. Today, we are the global leaders in preservation, and looking ahead t then future of the paint and coatings industry, and are building upon our foundations of innovation, sustainability and better science to solve the world’s toughest preservation challenges.”

“We thought it was a great show,” said John McAllister, global director of sales, Industrial Division for Micro Powders, Inc. “There was a lot of interest in new technologies, like PTFE-free products and renewable, sustainable, green technologies, We have been buy – it’s impressive. It has been non-stop. We have been happy with the turnout and the quality of the projects our customers are bringing to us.”

“The feedback has been great,” said Fabian Schawe of Evonik. “It is great to see our customers again. Our open booth concept allowed us to have more time for in-depth meetings. In particular, there was very high interest in digital formulation and CO2 reduction. The overwhelming sentiment among our team was positive.”