CEPE Holds Annual Conference and General Assembly in Denmark

CEPE, the European Council of the Paint, Printing Ink and Artists' Colours Industry, held it Annual Conference and General Assembly held October 9-11 at the Scandic Hotel in Copenhage. Under the theme, ““Focus on the Future: Towards a Brighter European Mandate,” the conference featured ten presentations by industry thought leaders addressing the challenges the paint and coatings industry faces today. Speakers explored the current economic and geopolitical landscape.

The conference began with Welcome Remarks from Roald Johannsen, CEPE Chairman. Andrea Boltho of Oxford University gave the opening presentations.

“Trends and Forecast for the Chemicals and Paint Industry,” presented by Douglas Bohn of Orr & Boss gave valuable insights into the size and scope of the global paint and coatings industry. According to Orr & Boss’s research, the 2024 global paint and coatings market was valued at €183 billion.

Asia is by the far the largest region for paint and coatings consumption with 46%. Europe comprised 22%, North America 19%, Latin America 7%, Middle East4% and Africa came in at 2% of the market. 

Further insights from Orr and Boss’s breakdown of the market:

• Decorative – 47%
• General Industrial – 9%
• Protective – 9%
• Powder – 7%
• Wood – 5%
• Auto Refinish – 5%
• Auto OEM – 5%
• Marine - 3%
• Coil -3%
• Other Transportation – 2%
• Can – 2%
• Traffic Marking – 1%
• Flexible Packaging – 1%

“Northern Lights – Prespective from the Nordic Coatings Market” was presented by Sune Schnack of Danmarks Farve-og Limindustrie (DFL).

The afternoon sessions focused on “Exploring the European Mandate.”

Presentations during this session included “Maneuvering in the new EU Political Landscape,” presented by Daniel Gueguen of EPPA and “How Data from EEA Can Help Support Industry in Their Sustainability Efforts,” presented by Magnus Lofstedt of the European Environmental Agency.

CEPE Names New Chairman

CEPE has elected David Beckford, managing director of Pronto Paints, as the new chairman of the CEPE board. The election took place at the CEPE General Assembly held in Copenhagen. Beckford succeeds Roald Johannsen, VP of PPG, who has served as CEPE Chairman since 2021.

The Assembly also voted on other topics, including the new board members and the relation-ship between CEPE and the British Coatings Federation (BCF).

"It is an honor to take on this role and I would like to thank my counterparts for entrusting me with this position,” said Beckford. “I am committed to pursuing the work of Roald Johannsen to help our companies, especially smaller ones such as mine, navigate the ever-more challenging regulatory landscape to ensure a sustainable future for our businesses and the environment.”

CEPE extends its deep gratitude to Johannsen for his dedication and leadership throughout his mandate.

"It has been a privilege to serve as CEPE chairman and an honor to represent this great industry of ours,” said Johannsen. “My thanks to the board, CEPE staff and national associations for their collaboration in refreshing our vision, mission and purpose during a period of much change. CEPE is in good hands under the leadership of David.”

A key decision reached during the General Assembly was to maintain the UK in the geographical scope of CEPE with the adoption of a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the principles and guidelines that govern the relationship between CEPE and the BCF.

The General Assembly also confirmed the appointment of the following new board members:

• Brendan Catlow, Sherwin Williams
• Guillaume Fremaux, Heghebaert & Fremaux
• Pedro Serret-Salvat, PPG
• Mehran Yazdani, Sun Chemical

Established in 1951, CEPE (the European Coucil of the Paint, Printing Ink and Artists' Colours Industry) is the sole trade association representing the interest of the coatings sector at the European level.  The next conference will be held in Vienna date to be announced.