David Savastano, Contributing Editor03.22.23
On March 21, 2019, exhibitors at the European Coatings Show (ECS) 2019 were busy packing their booths, having enjoyed an active show and looking forward to the next few years, and returning to the Nuremberg Messe in 2021. Little did anyone know that everything would change in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic would dramatically impact the world we live in.
During the ensuing years, much changed, including travel; businesses were forced to cut back on travel, and major trade shows canceled due to concerns over further spreading the disease. The European Coatings Show 2021 was one such show, and attempts to reschedule it into 2022 proved to be impossible.
Now, in 2023, COVID has faded away for the most part, and the paint and coatings and ink industries are looking forward to seeing what’s new in terms of technologies and services. In speaking with exhibitors ahead of this year’s ECS, they are all looking forward to seeing old friends and bringing new technologies to the forefront.
“ECS has always been our strongest show both in terms of new leads and face to face meetings with different customers,” said Robert Ruckle, global marketing and sales director for Siltech Corporation. “Post-pandemic shutdown shows have been slow to return so we are hoping ECS breaks the mold.”
Shamrock Technologies president Joon Choo said that Shamrock is excited to be participating again at the upcoming European Coatings Show.
“We recognize the significant changes in the coatings industry since 2019, including shifts in supply chain demands, logistics, regulatory changes, and increasing demand for bio-based materials,” Choo observed. “We have been collaborating with customers globally to formulate new products to meet these evolving needs. The show is a terrific event to showcase our latest developments, learn about new trends and technologies, and share in the effort to shape the future of the industry.”
Paul Sanders, vice president and business director, chemical intermediates for AdvanSix, said that AdvanSix is very much looking forward to ECS 2023.
“We love attending ECS and connecting with our peers from across the world in Nuremburg,” Sanders said. “It has been four years since we could meet with the international coatings industry in-person and we are looking forward to making meaningful connections, building our network, and sharing our innovations with the people who matter most in the industry. In the past, we have generated great leads at ECS and expect this year’s show to be bigger and better than ever.”
“After four years, our Coatings Additives team can’t wait to experience the energy of the world’s leading coatings trade show,” said Fabian Schwane, head of market communication for Evonik Coating Additives. “We are motivated to finally meet many of our customers and partners in person again and discuss how we can ‘Formulate the Future’ together.”
Chris Fitzgerald, global vice president of coatings, adhesives, sealants, & elastomers, and rubber & plastic additives for Univar Solutions, noted that the European Coatings Show is one of the most pivotal coatings shows in the world, and after an extended absence it is certainly the place to be for all coatings and paint industry professionals.
“We maintain a strong presence in Europe and we’re looking forward to visiting face-to-face with customers and suppliers, old and new, at the show,” Fitzgerald added. “As we continue to support our European customers during challenging times—whether navigating supply chain challenges, responding to changing regulations, or meeting new market trends – we’re also excited to meet with other innovation leaders and discuss the future of paints and coatings, such as the high performing, sustainable coatings solutions we’re helping to formulate and deliver. It’s an exciting time at Univar Solutions as we continue to build our global ingredients and specialties business to create the right offerings for our customers, and ECS is the ideal platform to reach them.”
Sue Sender, director of marketing for Micro Powders, Inc., said that Micro Powders is excited to exhibit in Nuremberg after four years.
“A lot has changed in the industry, and the world in general, since the last show,” Sender said. “It will be a valuable opportunity to see what’s new and notable, as well as trends that are here to stay. Plus, we can’t wait to introduce some impressive new products at our stand.”
Richard Jenkins, senior vice president, Arkema Coating Solutions, spoke about trends that are coming to the forefront, including sustainability and climate change.
“We see an energy and excitement as companies look at major challenges including climate change, scarcity of resources, urbanization, and technology transformation – and we, as citizens and employees, look for a more sustainable lifestyle,” said. “While more sustainable innovation and market solutions will be a big part of the show, it is that sense of collaboration that we most look forward to this year. The industry needs to collectively adapt to a new paradigm and take a holistic approach all along the value chain, that takes into account social, environmental and economic dimensions, while also bringing performance to the next level.”
Darren Bianchi, president of Brilliant Color, said he is looking forward to seeing old friends this year.
“Following the pandemic, I’m really looking forward to seeing our valued customers, distributors, and other friends in person,” Bianchi observed. “During the time since the last show, we’ve been building our team and I’m excited to have some of the newer team members, Chrysa, Julia and Odile, there to meet everyone.”
Dev Chakravorty, marketing manager, Lorama Group, said that ECS is very important for Lorama and the industry.
“The show has always served as a platform for maintaining and developing new business across both the European as well as the global market,” Chakravorty added.
Patrick Van Waes, global marketing director for CovationBio, agreed that ECS is the most important coatings tradeshow in the world.
“There is no better place to meet with peers, customers, suppliers and learn about novelties and trends during the conference and tradeshow,” Van Waes added.
“We are very excited to appear again at European Coatings Show 2023 and eager to see our friends and customers in person to share the news on latest products,” Lim Hoong Heng, global marketing manager, Antifoams & Health Care and public relations manager, Silicone Business Unit for BRB, said.
Ginny Nijjar, Borchers’ European sales manager, said that this year’s ECS is the first time that Borchers will be appearing as part of Milliken.
“This will be our first European Coatings Show since Borchers was acquired by Milliken & Company in 2020,” Niijar noted. “As a part of Milliken, the Borchers brand is uniquely positioned to help formulators meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations and specific customer and market needs while exceeding the performance capabilities customers expect of Borchers. We have also added a few new coating additives to our product portfolio since the last show, and we look forward to showcasing these new solutions alongside our classic additive products.”
During the ensuing years, much changed, including travel; businesses were forced to cut back on travel, and major trade shows canceled due to concerns over further spreading the disease. The European Coatings Show 2021 was one such show, and attempts to reschedule it into 2022 proved to be impossible.
Now, in 2023, COVID has faded away for the most part, and the paint and coatings and ink industries are looking forward to seeing what’s new in terms of technologies and services. In speaking with exhibitors ahead of this year’s ECS, they are all looking forward to seeing old friends and bringing new technologies to the forefront.
“ECS has always been our strongest show both in terms of new leads and face to face meetings with different customers,” said Robert Ruckle, global marketing and sales director for Siltech Corporation. “Post-pandemic shutdown shows have been slow to return so we are hoping ECS breaks the mold.”
Shamrock Technologies president Joon Choo said that Shamrock is excited to be participating again at the upcoming European Coatings Show.
“We recognize the significant changes in the coatings industry since 2019, including shifts in supply chain demands, logistics, regulatory changes, and increasing demand for bio-based materials,” Choo observed. “We have been collaborating with customers globally to formulate new products to meet these evolving needs. The show is a terrific event to showcase our latest developments, learn about new trends and technologies, and share in the effort to shape the future of the industry.”
Paul Sanders, vice president and business director, chemical intermediates for AdvanSix, said that AdvanSix is very much looking forward to ECS 2023.
“We love attending ECS and connecting with our peers from across the world in Nuremburg,” Sanders said. “It has been four years since we could meet with the international coatings industry in-person and we are looking forward to making meaningful connections, building our network, and sharing our innovations with the people who matter most in the industry. In the past, we have generated great leads at ECS and expect this year’s show to be bigger and better than ever.”
“After four years, our Coatings Additives team can’t wait to experience the energy of the world’s leading coatings trade show,” said Fabian Schwane, head of market communication for Evonik Coating Additives. “We are motivated to finally meet many of our customers and partners in person again and discuss how we can ‘Formulate the Future’ together.”
Chris Fitzgerald, global vice president of coatings, adhesives, sealants, & elastomers, and rubber & plastic additives for Univar Solutions, noted that the European Coatings Show is one of the most pivotal coatings shows in the world, and after an extended absence it is certainly the place to be for all coatings and paint industry professionals.
“We maintain a strong presence in Europe and we’re looking forward to visiting face-to-face with customers and suppliers, old and new, at the show,” Fitzgerald added. “As we continue to support our European customers during challenging times—whether navigating supply chain challenges, responding to changing regulations, or meeting new market trends – we’re also excited to meet with other innovation leaders and discuss the future of paints and coatings, such as the high performing, sustainable coatings solutions we’re helping to formulate and deliver. It’s an exciting time at Univar Solutions as we continue to build our global ingredients and specialties business to create the right offerings for our customers, and ECS is the ideal platform to reach them.”
Sue Sender, director of marketing for Micro Powders, Inc., said that Micro Powders is excited to exhibit in Nuremberg after four years.
“A lot has changed in the industry, and the world in general, since the last show,” Sender said. “It will be a valuable opportunity to see what’s new and notable, as well as trends that are here to stay. Plus, we can’t wait to introduce some impressive new products at our stand.”
Richard Jenkins, senior vice president, Arkema Coating Solutions, spoke about trends that are coming to the forefront, including sustainability and climate change.
“We see an energy and excitement as companies look at major challenges including climate change, scarcity of resources, urbanization, and technology transformation – and we, as citizens and employees, look for a more sustainable lifestyle,” said. “While more sustainable innovation and market solutions will be a big part of the show, it is that sense of collaboration that we most look forward to this year. The industry needs to collectively adapt to a new paradigm and take a holistic approach all along the value chain, that takes into account social, environmental and economic dimensions, while also bringing performance to the next level.”
Darren Bianchi, president of Brilliant Color, said he is looking forward to seeing old friends this year.
“Following the pandemic, I’m really looking forward to seeing our valued customers, distributors, and other friends in person,” Bianchi observed. “During the time since the last show, we’ve been building our team and I’m excited to have some of the newer team members, Chrysa, Julia and Odile, there to meet everyone.”
Dev Chakravorty, marketing manager, Lorama Group, said that ECS is very important for Lorama and the industry.
“The show has always served as a platform for maintaining and developing new business across both the European as well as the global market,” Chakravorty added.
Patrick Van Waes, global marketing director for CovationBio, agreed that ECS is the most important coatings tradeshow in the world.
“There is no better place to meet with peers, customers, suppliers and learn about novelties and trends during the conference and tradeshow,” Van Waes added.
“We are very excited to appear again at European Coatings Show 2023 and eager to see our friends and customers in person to share the news on latest products,” Lim Hoong Heng, global marketing manager, Antifoams & Health Care and public relations manager, Silicone Business Unit for BRB, said.
Ginny Nijjar, Borchers’ European sales manager, said that this year’s ECS is the first time that Borchers will be appearing as part of Milliken.
“This will be our first European Coatings Show since Borchers was acquired by Milliken & Company in 2020,” Niijar noted. “As a part of Milliken, the Borchers brand is uniquely positioned to help formulators meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations and specific customer and market needs while exceeding the performance capabilities customers expect of Borchers. We have also added a few new coating additives to our product portfolio since the last show, and we look forward to showcasing these new solutions alongside our classic additive products.”
