As we wrap up this month’s issue, the Coatings World staff is busy making the final preparations to attend CHINACOAT2013.
For those that are not familiar with CHINACOAT, it is an annual event alternating between Guangzhou and Shanghai. This year CHINACOAT will be held November 20-22 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. Since its inception in 1996, CHINACOAT has been a key event for coatings, printing inks and adhesives suppliers who wish to enter, expand and consolidate their positions in the Chinese market.

We have dedicated considerable space in this issue to covering the Chinese paint and coatings market, since this issue will be distributed at the Show.

Contributing writer, Don Watson examines the current state of the Chinese economy in his article “China: Will it Survive the Global Downturn” (pg. 55). In this article Watson predicts that the Chinese economy will eventually weather the current global downturn, but cautions that its leaders must choose wisely and implement true economic measures. For certain, the economic and social reforms that have started in China must continue if China is to survive long term and overtake the U.S. Economy and until the bulk of its population enjoy the benefits of China’s remarkable growth over the past 30 years there is concern for the country’s its long term stability, Watson reported.

“Investments in China Continue” (pg. 50) takes a look at the investments paint and coatings manufacturers and their suppliers are making in China. Major investments have been made by AkzoNobel, Axalta and PPG, just to name a few.
If you are planning on attending this year’s CHINACOAT our “CHINACOAT2013 Preview” (pg. 61) will give you a good starting point for getting yourself organized.

As this issue went to press, a total of 920 exhibitors from 33 countries/regions were booked to showcase their products and services in an exhibit area of 60,000 square meters. There were a total of 186 new exhibitors this year. The largest exhibiting group is from China, with 649 Chinese suppliers signed up to provide international visitors with a convenient way to source Chinese products in one place.
Be sure to bring your walking shoes, as there are six exhibit zones featuring international and China raw materials, machinery and instrumentation; powder coatings technology and UV/EB products and services!
If you plan on making the trip to Shanghai this year please be sure to stop by our booth and say hello. For those that will not be able to make the journey, Coatings World will be reporting Live From the Show. Be sure to go to our website, www.coatingsworld.com to sign up for these daily e-mail updates.