The 2002 installment of the International Coatings Exhibition (ICE) has come and gone, but the ramifications for the coatings industry are just beginning. As always, ICE provided a venue for new products, interesting and informative presentations and awards. But the biggest news for the coatings industry came from a vote held by the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology (FSCT) during its annual meeting. The board of directors of the FSCT has announced that ICE will be held every other year beginning in 2004. In addition, ICE will be held exclusively in Chicago as of 2004. The decision was based on an extensive survey of manufacturers and suppliers. In addition to the every-other-year format, the National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA) will hold its convention simultaneously in Chicago, beginning in 2004, according to Robert Ziegler, FSCT executive vice president, and ICE Show general manager.

By switching to even years, ICE and the European Coatings Show (ECS) will alternate, which will benefit exhibitors and attendees. "This provides suppliers with a very cost-effective means of covering the industry's major global regions," Mr. Ziegler said.

Moving ICE to an alternating schedule with the ECS has been debated for years.

"For a number of years, large companies have expressed a wish to go every other year," said Gerry Gough of ICI Packaging Coatings Ltd., FSCT past president. "We have been listening, and I think it's been more than apparent that it is the logical thing to do considering the state of the industry. It's a momentous change."

"In the past, I was somewhat concerned about going every other year, because it was possible that some commercial organization might jump into the vacuum that was created," said FSCT past president Colin Penny, who is with Coatings Technology Ltd. "That is no longer realistic."

"The Federation board's approval of the changes to ICE recognizes the concerns of the industry," said former FSCT president Gail Pollano of NeoResins. "The challenge to the Federation is to adjust its operations to accommodate diminished income while providing the same or increased benefits to the industry it serves."

The decision to make Chicago ICE's permanent home also was influenced by surveys. "Every other year it will be in Chicago, which is the single biggest pull for attendees," said Mr. Gough. "A majority of our attendees believe Chicago gives them the best results."

Initial reactions from local society officials have been positive. "I sent an e-mail out to our membership, and the response back was unanimous for going every other year," said Steven Halliday of Marine Industrial Paints and chair of the Southern Society for Coatings Technology.

New Programming
One of the goals for the continuing success of the FSCT is to develop some type of programming during the off year. These possibilities include creating additional technical conferences or working on regional programming. The FSCT has formed a new events steering committee to come up with new programs. The committee was scheduled to have its first meeting Nov. 19-20.

"The FSCT firmly believes that an event needs to be held every year to provide a forum for both suppliers and manufacturers to gather, discuss and plan for the future," Ms. Pollano said. "The events steering committee will oversee the implementation of a changed ICE and an event or series of events in the alternating year to provide a cost-effective format for interaction between industry segments."

While it appears the switch will be effective, there are concerns, especially for smaller companies that rely on ICE as an annual event. "We have to remember the smaller companies," said Mr. Gough. "The off-year sessions must address the needs of these companies."

Rodney Moon, FSCT's director of education added, "Perhaps the off-year program will be more technical in nature. Our new events steering committee will be responsible for coming up with ideas and monitoring activities."

A Positive Response
Exhibitors and attendees were, for the most part, receptive to the FSCT's decision to hold ICE every other year beginning in 2004.

"Over the course of the last five years, manufacturers and suppliers have been asking the Federation to move the show to every other year," said Mr. Ziegler. "A survey we conducted indicated there was a high level of interest by suppliers, mostly large and intermediate, to move ICE to every other year. Paint and coatings manufacturers also indicated a small but growing trend to move it to every other year."

"It's what the industry wants," said David Jack, FSCT's new president.

"When you look at the ability of coatings companies to support this kind of event, it makes sense," said Rose Ryntz, senior manager, advanced materials engineering at Visteon, who chaired this year's annual meeting. "It also allows us to enhance the content of the program, which would be great."

The decision to have ICE become an every other year event was welcomed by many exhibitors as well.

"The FSCT's decision to go every other year with ICE is an excellent choice," said Greg Ross, sales manager, coatings, Johnson Polymer. "I'm glad to see it's happening. It allows both attendees and exhibitors more opportunity to take advantage of what the show is intended to be, a focus on new ideas and trends. At one time, the every-year format served that purpose, but during the past few years, introduction of new products has slowed, which has companies reexamining the time and expense to participate. I'm hopeful this will reinvigorate the show."

Some companies that have been exhibiting every year said they felt this decision was coming.

Attendees at the DuPont booth were able to sit behind the wheel of Jeff Gordon's #24 race car and experience driving at 200 mph thanks to a virtual racing simulator inside.

"There was a general feeling that this would be the preference of exhibitors," said Louis Brincat, vice president of Clariant Corporation. "We've made a commitment to be here every year, while many of our competitors haven't showed up in recent years."

Cost savings for exhibitors and attendees alike also played a role in the decision. "I think it's a very positive step," said James Yosh, Jr., business manager for Tego Coatings & Ink Additives. "There's a tremendous cost savings for everyone, when you look at the cost of bringing a staff down, building and breaking down booths."

"It's absolutely the right decision," said Jim Papenfuss, senior marketing manager, paints and coatings at Noveon. "It's costly to attend a show, and this allows us to refocus our efforts."

"It's a good idea," said George Murphy, national sales manager for Hockmeyer Equipment Corp. "Technology does not change that fast, and equipment people don't need to be here every year."

Of course, it's impossible to know what really will happen once the show goes every two years.

"I think it will throw in a whole bunch of new dynamics that have yet to be anticipated," said Bob Burk, marketing and communications manager for King Industries. "I know that a lot of people believe that people will be starved for new information and that will boost attendance, but no one holds new introductions for shows anymore."

King Industries drew crowds at its Mardi Gras-themed booth, complete with a beer bar inside.

There is, however, a certain regret that the show will not be an annual opportunity to meet with colleagues. And for many companies in the industry, even those which haven't exhibited recently or at all, ICE provided an opportunity for sales staff and distributor representatives to meet face-to-face under one roof.

"I think it was inevitable," said Dave Peterson, president of Eiger Machinery. "It will be kind of sad not to be here and see people every year, but I'm assuming the Federation will have technical conferences or support local societies' programs during the off years."

Developing new opportunities for the off year is a critical goal of the Federation, whether it is creating additional technical conferences, working on regional programming or some other option. Mr. Jack agreed that this is the most important challenge facing the Federation.

"Our biggest challenge is to develop an alternate year series of events while maintaining the financial good health of the Federation and services to our constituent societies," said Mr. Jack.
For Mr. Ziegler, Mr. Jack and the rest of the FSCT, creating an effective plan for exhibitors and attendees is an immediate need.

"The Federation has a lot of work to do," Mr. Ziegler said. "There have been a lot of questions as to what the ramifications will be. There are considerable financial questions that the executive committee has discussed. We may shift some of our resources and redistribute our efforts."

"This is our future, and we need to do it right," Mr. Jack said. "2005 is not a long way away when you are planning a show."

ICE Kicks Off With Awards Ceremony As always, the FSCT's annual meeting began with the presentation of the George Baugh Heckel Award and the Joseph J. Mattiello Lecture. This year, the FSCT honored Freidun Anwari, technical director for Kelly-Moore Paint Co., Inc, with the George Baugh Heckel Award. The award, named after the FSCT's first chairman and long-time secretary, recognizes outstanding contributions that an individual has made to the Federation's interest and prestige. "He is a true follower in the footprints of George Baugh Heckel," said Mary Brodie, chair of the Heckel award committee, in presenting the award. Mr. Anwari credited FSCT for helping him advance his career. "I am proud of my association with the FSCT," said Mr. Anwari. "You can advance and learn skills faster than at your 'day job.' If it wasn't for my affiliation with FSCT, I could not have advanced my career as I have." The Joseph J. Mattiello Memorial Lecture was presented by John Gerlock, who recently retired as senior staff technical specialist, Ford Research Laboratories. Dr. Gerlock's topic was "Automotive paint system weathering performance: reading test panels like open books and some accelerated weathering test thoughts." Based on Dr. Gerlock's research, chemistry-based weatherability tests are now used industry-wide. "If Joseph Mattiello could be here, I think he would be very pleased and very interested in the work that John has done on weathering," said Mattiello Committee chair Frank N. Jones, professor, polymers and coatings at Eastern Michigan University, himself a Mattiello Lecture presenter in 1996. "With his accomplishments, he certainly deserves this award."

Selecting Chicago
Anchoring ICE in Chicago was a popular choice among many exhibitors. "Chicago is such an easy place to get to and an easy place to get around," Mr. Ross said. "And the Midwest encompasses most of the major coatings companies."

One advantage of Chicago is that nearby companies can send their employees in for a day, rather than commit to a much longer, costlier trip.

"The thing about Chicago I always liked is that shows always draw the technical and production people who don't attend other shows," said George Willock, vice president of sales at Neville Chemical, a company which did not exhibit at this year's show.

"We want ICE to be accessible to bench chemists and decision makers alike," said Michael Oliveri, director of marketing, coatings at Shamrock Technologies.

However, there is also a sense that having the show exclusively in Chicago would neglect growth areas.

"Chicago has been one of our stronger shows, and it's a great location," Mr. Burk said. "However, there has been a growing sophistication in the southern U.S., and I think it would be better to rotate ICE."

Exhibitor Response
In the midst of discussion surrounding the decision to switch the ICE show to an every-other-year format, ICE 2002 went along smoothly. According to FSCT, there were more than 6,400 registrants, 305 exhibitors and nearly 66,000-net-sq.-ft. of exhibit space at ICE 2002. FSCT officials said they felt this year's show went extremely well.

"In speaking with exhibitors, I sense a strong positive feeling about ICE," said Robert Ziegler, FSCT executive vice president and ICE general manager. "Attendance is up, and it's particularly good to see a big increase in the number of international attendees."

Exhibitors Coatings World spoke with seemed pleased with ICE. "I think we've had a very good show with a lot of activity throughout the first two days," said Mr. Ross of Johnson Polymer. "Based on past experience, the percentage of active leads will be positive."

"Our expectations have already been far exceeded," Mr. Burk of King Industries said during the show. "I think that overall, the quality of visitors has been excellent. There is also a lot more international traffic this year."

ICE attendees were able to relax and recharge with free back and neck massages at the Elementis Relaxation Center.

"Compared to last year, there's a lot more floor traffic, with many people here from Latin America," said William Floyd, market development manager for Silberline Manufacturing Co.
"I would say that we have had good traffic," said Mr. Yosh of Tego. "ICE 2000 in Chicago was the high-water mark and last year was down. This year is better than Atlanta, but down from Chicago."

For Jyoti Ceramic Industries Pvt. Ltd., a first-time attendee, the show was a success. "This is the first time an Indian company has exhibited at ICE, and we've been very busy," said Chatru Wadhwani of Jyoti Ceramic Industries.

ICE 2003
As for ICE 2003 in Philadelphia, FSCT has rescheduled the dates to Nov. 12-14, from the previously announced Thursday-Saturday schedule to a Wednesday-Friday time frame that is more compatible with both attendee and exhibitor agendas. l - Christine Canning Esposito, David Savastano, Kerry Pianoforte, Mike Agosta

New Products Introduced at ICE With a large number of paint chemists and buyers at the International Coatings Expo, suppliers are well aware of the benefits of showcasing their newest and most innovative products. Once again, it was newer and better additives, pigments and other raw materials that took center stage in New Orleans. Although additives make up a small percentage of the overall paint formulation, they bring a lot to the table. A number of exhibitors at the ICE Show came armed with new additives and other product additions for all types of finished paints and coatings. Additive introductions ran the gamut from adhesion promoters to UV absorbers. Clariant introduced several new additives, including Sanduvor PR 31, a photoreactive light stabilizer for high-performance coatings. It exhibits no discoloration when used in clear coats and is also suitable for coil coatings. Also from Clariant is Sanduvor 3310 UV absorber which has easy processability and good compatibility with most systems. Coatings formulations benefit from its migration fastness, non-volatility under normal stoving conditions and ability to perform in acid-catalyzed systems. At Eastman, one of its newest launches is CMCAB cellulose ester for waterborne automotive applications. It expands the company's well-known CAB products for solventborne applications. CMCAB is a welcome addition to widely used CAB, according to Dirk DiSantis, senior technical representative, coatings. "CMCAB brings the same benefits to waterborne such as flow and leveling and metallic flake control, which is critical in automotive," he said. Eastman has also added new adhesion promoters for automotive applications. These new entries include CP 730-1, a chlorinated adhesion promoter, and AP 550-1, a second-generation, non-chlorinated product billed as an improvement over EP-440-1. For architectural applications, the company launched new Hydreau AR 120, which delivers excellent wet adhesion and open time. On display at Cognis was a line of green surfactant products made from renewable resources such as vegetable oil and alcohol. According to Fran�ois Gallou�dec, emulsion polymerization North American business manager, Cognis is currently the only company with FDA approval for such surfactant chemistries. "Expanding environmental legislation in Europe is the driving factor behind these products," he said. Cognis was also promoting Disponil AFX, a second-generation product from the Disponil line, along with Disponil FES and Texapon NSO. All are APE-free and formulated with a wide range of additives to produce clean and stable latexes, according to the company. On the biocides and preservative front, like other raw material niches, the move towards lowering VOCs remains key, according to many suppliers. Acima has introduced its first two products in a series of low- and zero-VOC preservatives. These include Rocima 550, a zero-VOC broad spectrum preservative for water-based coatings, and Rocima 607, a low-VOC preservative for water-based coatings that is also APE- and metal salts-free. The firm's Rozone 2000 mildewcide is a high-performance paint film fungicide, which also displays excellent activity against algae and bacteria. It's a "two-in-one formulation," said Teresa Hoskins, market manager, Acima. "It's effective both as an in-can preservative and as a film preservative after application." Concentrating on combination products and low odor has been key at ISP, which has developed new biocide products for coatings. The company has added Fungitrol 720 IPBC, a low-odor product that is VOC-free. EPA registration was just received in late October, according to John T. McGroarty, director, global marketing-biocides, ISP. Also new to the ISP stable is Nuosept 44, a preservative for aqueous products with a fast kill rate and low VOC. The company is waiting for EPA registration for its Nuocide 2010 biocide and Nuocide 2002 fungicide/algaecide for dry film protection. Nuocide 2010 offers dual-action by combining IPBC and CTL and is highly effective against fungi and algae, according to Mr. McGroarty, who said ISP is currently sampling these products to customers. Tego Chemie was promoting Tego Wet 500 organic surfactants and the Tego Wet 270 class of polyether siloxane co-polymers. Additives are important, but it's pigments give that paints their visual appeal. Pigment manufacturers were at ICE to prove that one color isn't just as good as the next. A walk through the exhibit floor revealed a number of new pigment technologies ready to change the way people look at color. Among the introductions from Clariant were Novoperm Yellow HR-70-E, an opaque yellow pigment for industrial applications that features excellent dispersion and processing qualities, and Hostaperm Blue R5R, a bright shade blue with relatively high tinting strength. Also new are Hostaperm Red Violet ERX and ERX-WD, referred to by Clariant officials as "the twins." These two new red violet pigments, for solvent and waterborne coatings, respectively, are designed for automotive OEM and refinishing, as well as high-performance industrial coatings. With water-based technology growing, BASF is hoping to cash in on its new XFast stir-in pigment, aimed at water-based architectural and industrial paints. It promises to make the production of these paints much easier. The major benefit of these stir-in pigments is that they do not require any of the grinding, milling and processing of traditional pigments before being incorporated into paints and coatings. In addition, XFast has shown excellent compatibility with acrylics and PVAs, helps to improve color performance of paints, is zero-VOC and is a very low-dust, free-flowing powder, according to company. Silberline Manufacturing Company was focusing on dusting and waste with its new Silbercote PC X-series pigments for powder coatings. Silbercote PC comes in a sealed antistatic bag, which helps to prevent dusting and safety hazards associated with aluminum pigments. Among the benefits of this free-flowing powder are ease of dispersion, excellent brightness and excellent chemical and damage resistance, according to Bill Floyd, market development manager, Silberline. Rockwood Pigments was showcasing new Ferroxide 204M, a surface-treated, micronized precipitated orange iron oxide designed for liquid colorants, powder coatings and coil coatings. It has high color saturation and a very yellow shade, according to the company. Ferroxide 204M orange is unique to the iron oxide market because most iron oxide pigments are either red or yellow, said Michael Corcoran, vice president-sales, coatings and specialties at Rockwood Pigments. According to Mr. Corcoran, Ferroxide 204 M orange is currently being marketed and manufactured and should be ready for distribution in January 2003. Dominion Colour Corporation was promoting several new pigment shades, including DCC 2812 (pigment red 112) is a red shade naphthol developed primarily for architectural and industrial coatings applications. DCC 2812 provides excellent lightfastness and weatherfastness, even in tint reductions, according to Steve Whate, coatings industry coordinator, Dominion Colour Corporation. The new shade is similar to Toluidine Red (DCC 2222, 2254) and is used to replace these in more demanding applications. DuPont Titanium Technologies introduced TS-6200 Ti-Select titanium dioxide pigment which combines high-gloss retention, good initial gloss, solid hiding power and minimal dispersion demand with excellent dispersion. The product is recommended for use in automotive coatings, coil coatings, durable industrial coatings and fluorinated polymer coatings. ICE Show exhibitors also focused on current trends in paint formulation and reformulation such as the drive to lower VOCs to improving performance. At BASF, another new launch comes from its Acronal Optive line, and is focused on the continuing move to create better performing products with fewer or no VOCs. New Acronal Optive 130 is an all-acrylic latex polymer for interior and exterior architectural coatings in zero- and low-VOC products. For semi-gloss products, it delivers a high level of block and scrub resistance, gloss and wet adhesion in zero to 150 g/l VOC formulations. In flats, it exhibits excellent low temperature touch-up, high scrub resistance and superb thickener efficiency in zero to 50 g/l VOC formulations. Crompton OSi Specialties launched four new products at this year's show, including new silane monomers and new adhesion promoters. Silquest A-Link 25 silane and Silquest A-Link 35 silane are new isocyanato silanes with the company's SPUR technology. Silquest A-Link 25 and 35 are used to develop in coatings 1K self-curing resins which cure at different speeds and result in coatings with good acid-, chemical- and water-resistance, outdoor durability and a long shelf life, said Bruce Waldman, global manager, coatings, adhesives and sealants. Crompton's new adhesion promoters, Silquest A-1637 silane and A-2639 silane, offer coatings chemists elongation and super elongation, respectively. According to Mr. Waldman, amino silanes technology is maturing, enabling suppliers to offer solutions to problems associated with this chemistry, such as yellowing in outdoor exposure. To better focus its business units, Degussa Coatings and Colorants is expanding its efforts to market its resins to a variety of markets, according to Bruce Seeber, general manager. Its Dynapol product line consists of saturated polyester resins that offer optimum elasticity and deformability as well as excellent chemical and weathering resistance, according to the company. The Dynapol range can be used in a variety of applications, including building products, can coatings and industrial coatings. In addition, Degussa was also touting Vesticoat UB systems are high-flexibility binders that are ideal for the formulation of coating materials that combine deformability and surface hardness with good weathering stability for industrial coatings, coil coatings and chip guard coatings. Special Vesticoat UB grades are also suitable for high-quality, storage-stable one-component PUR spray paints.

More Scenes from ICE 2002
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