ICI wins European Best of Corporate Governance Award

Citation

(2006), "ICI wins European Best of Corporate Governance Award", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 35 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2006.12935dab.004

ICI wins European Best of Corporate Governance Award

ICI wins European Best of Corporate Governance Award

ICI has been named winner in the new corporate governance category of the Best of European Business awards programme, sponsored by the Financial Times and Roland Berger Strategy Consultants. The Best of Corporate Governance Award recognizes ICI's standards in its leadership structures, remuneration policies, shareholder rights and information, code of conduct, and transparency, reporting and control. Peter Ellwood, ICI Chairman, said: “ICI prides itself on the highest possible standards of corporate governance and this Best of European Business award is excellent recognition of our efforts.” ICI was chosen after an initial study by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, which determined a shortlist of 150 European companies and subsequently five finalists. A panel of judges including the CEOs of BP, BT, Deutsche Telecom, Novartis and Siemens picked ICI as the overall winner of this inaugural prize. The Best of European Business awards programme was launched in 2005 and the Best of Corporate Governance Award presented at an FT/Roland Berger Strategy Consultants “European Summit” in Brussels on February 22.

Malvern strengthens its US process systems team

Malvern Instruments has announced two new appointments to its process systems team in the USA, against a backdrop of strong sales throughout 2005. Matt Malfa and Alon Vaisman will work as project engineers, primarily supporting the installation and commissioning of new systems across North America. Sales of Malvern's process systems are buoyant, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, as manufacturers respond to the FDA's PAT initiative. Alon has developed technical expertise working in both the military and private sectors and as an applications engineer on a range of products. Matt, who shares Alon's engineering background, has experience of equipment design, manufacturing and customer service. Both, in addition to working on new installations, will lend technical support to the existing sales and service functions. They will work out of Malvern's Southborough, MA office. The PAT initiative is designed to encourage pharmaceutical manufacturers to operate their processes more efficiently through the use of analytical instrumentation. The pharmaceutical sector is already the largest user of particle characterization technology and this change in processing approach is, therefore, expected to continue to drive sales throughout 2006. With an excellent product and strong regional teams Malvern is an ideal choice for companies upgrading their analytical capability.

Powder coatings markets in North America 2004/2005-2015

As one of the mature powder coatings markets, North America has struggled in recent years to maintain its momentum. In its recently published study, Belgium-based Irfab Chemical Consultants Scrl states that the North American powder coatings producers will face many challenges to maintain growth and profitability in the period up to 2015. In 2004, the powder coatings market in North America (USA and Canada) was around 200,000ton, and valued at more than USD 1 billion. Mexico is rapidly growing in importance for the powder coatings industry. There are about 60 suppliers of thermoset powder coatings in the USA and Canada, including all but one of the main global players. Polyester- epoxy hybrids and polyester-TGIC powders are the two main types used in the North American market, together representing nearly 60 percent of the market, followed by polyurethanes, epoxies, and acrylics.

Akzo Nobel planning major coatings expansion in Spain

Akzo Nobel will sell its decorative coatings site near Barcelona in Spain as part of an expansion of its business activities on the Iberian peninsula which will include the construction of a brand new, purpose-built facility. The land and buildings at the Sant Adriá de Besós plant have been sold to real estate project development company Urbis. However, Akzo Nobel will continue to make use of the site for up to four years from date of sale, allowing time for the new facility to be constructed and the activities to be transferred. Investing in a dedicated new site in the greater Barcelona area will enable us to accelerate our expansion plans for the region and exploit the growth potential which the Spanish market so clearly offers? Said CEO Hans Wijers, who is the Board member responsible for coatings.

Jotun sales up NOK 635 million in 2005

In 2005, Jotun Group sales totalled NOK 6.7 billion (NOK 1=0.12€), reflecting an increase of NOK 635 million on 2004, while operating profits were around NOK 40 million higher at NOK 535 million. With NOK 431 million Jotun's investments in 2005 were very high. Jotun Dekorativ produces decorative paints, stain and varnish products for the Scandinavian market. The division increased sales in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, and further growth is expected? We are satisfied by the good progress made by the group in 2005, and we have identified areas where we can perform even better. The performance shows that Jotun is a group with traditions for long-term commitment, and we will continue to develop through organic growth? Says Jotun's CEO Morten Fon.

Sakata Inx and Triangle Digital LLC form new enterprise

Sakata Inx worldwide operations announced an agreement with California-based Triangle Digital LLC, forming Triangle Digital Inx Co. (TDI) to offer digital inks and application services to customers throughout the world in conjunction with Inx International Inx Co. Inx International and newly formed TDI are both subsidiaries of Sakata Inx. According to Inx President and CEO Rick Clendenning, a key focus of the new enterprise will be smoothing commercial and packaging printers' expansion into the digital market, enabling them to “hit the ground running” in terms of digital products, print quality and productivity.

Triangle Digital LLC, founded in 2002, specializes in outdoor durable pigment-based superwide and wide format digital inks and protective clear coatings.

BASF: sales increased by 14 percent in 2005

BASF posted the best results in its history in 2005. The company reported sales of €42.7 billion (up 14 percent) and income from operations (EBIT) before special items of more than €6.1 billion (up 17 percent). With an increase of 15.4 percent compared with 2004, the chemicals segment posted record sales as a result of higher volumes and prices. The performance products segment benefited from BASF's Verbund and its increasingly strong position in Asia. In 2005, the decline in sales caused by the divestiture of the printing systems business in the previous year was more than compensated for. In 2005, sales by location of company grew by double- digit rates in Europe (plus 11 percent), North America (plus 17 percent) and Asia Pacific (plus 23 percent). Sales in South America, Africa, and Middle East rose 7 percent.

Degussa lays cornerstone for expansion of isophorone chemistry in Herne

Degussa AG's Coatings & Colorants Business Unit launched its expansion of isophorone production in Herne, Germany with a cornerstone laying ceremony on February 17, 2006. Degussa AG will expand its entire isophorone chemicals production line at the Herne site. The unit is scheduled to begin operating in the year 2007. The expansion involves an investment in the high double-digit million euro range. Degussa already operates three isophorone production lines, one in Mobile, Alabama/USA and two at the Herne site, where some 350 people work. “All in all, the Herne site has received investment appropriations in the three-digit million euro range in the last few years. This shows that Degussa is planning something big in Herne,” said Professor Dr Utz-Hellmuth Felcht, Chairman of Degussa's Management Board.

Bayer MaterialScience opens regional center for Asia/Pacific

Bayer MaterialScience has officially opened a new regional center in Hong Kong on February 22, 2006. The Head of the center, Dr Frank Rövekamp, explained: “Our Asian customers' businesses are growing not only in their own local markets, but increasingly in other Asian countries too. This trend calls for the setting up of efficient management structures and controls, which is exactly what we have created in the form of Bayer MaterialScience Ltd” Bayer MaterialScience AG decided to concentrate the management functions of the business and service units for Asia/Pacific and of the regional service center for the area into Bayer MaterialScience Ltd in Hong Kong. The company hopes for a sustained increase in efficiency in the region.

BASF Coatings issues new color trend forecast for the next three to six years

BASF Coatings issues new color trend forecast for the next three to six years, to help car owners stay up-to-date: new effects make for a wider and more diverse range of car colors Muenster/ Tokyo/Southfield. Car buyers who want to stay up-to-date when choosing the color of their cars in the next few years will opt for striking, mixed colors that defy the definition of classic color. Instead of traditional green, blue or grey, new trend-setting colors may be described by terms like “petrol-grey,” “greige” (a blend of grey and beige) or “greenish blue.”

The full chromatic spectrum of such “hybrid” colors often reveals itself only under particular light conditions. Hints of turquoise may give blue a mysterious glow, while a delicate, pearly gloss may subtly infuse a pale green-grey. Viewers will be intrigued by surprising effects and color ambiguities that deliberately tease their perceptions. This approach to color was described by the designers at BASF Coatings – Michaela Finkenzeller, Sandra Mathia (North America) and Eiji Fujimori (Asia/ Pacific) – at the presentation of the traditional, annual color trend forecast of BASF Coatings.

Celanese Chemicals to raise olefin derivatives prices

Celanese Chemicals announced the price increases shown in Table I for the olefin derivatives products, list and off-list, effective April 1, 2006, or as contracts allow.

The Celanese Chemicals business of Celanese Corporation is a world leader in the production of acetyls, emulsions and certain specialty chemicals, with sales of around $4.3 billion in 2005. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Celanese Chemicals employs approximately 5,000 people worldwide and operates production facilities in the USA, Germany, Canada, The Netherlands, France, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Slovenia and the UK. Celanese Corporation (NYSE:CE) is an integrated global producer of value-added industrial chemicals based in Dallas, Texas. The company has four major businesses: chemicals products, technical polymers ticona, acetate products and performance products with production plants in North America, Europe and Asia. In 2005, Celanese Corporation had net sales of $6.1 billion and approximately 9,600 employees.

For more information on Celanese Corporation and Celanese Chemicals, please visit the company's web site at: www.celanese.com

Akzo Nobel to create two independent companies

The intended first step is a minority initial public offering (IPO) of Akzo Nobel's pharmaceuticals business, which will be called Organon Biosciences. “The increased management and strategic focus afforded through the separation of pharmaceuticals will enable us to accelerate growth and invest in attractive expansion opportunities in our coatings and chemicals businesses,” emphasized Hans Wijers. Akzo's management believes that the appropriate first step is a minority listing of Organon Biosciences through an IPO on Euronext Amsterdam. Post IPO, Akzo Nobel intends to separate the pharmaceutical business fully within 2-3 years. Management believes this staged process best meets Akzo Nobel's long-term objectives and will create greater value for shareholders.

Synthopol Chemie joins the Formulation Center as a new partner

Synthopol Chemie has joined the Formulation Center (FC). The company based in Buxtehude, Germany, added almost 300 products to the FC. Synthopol Chemie supplies a whole range of synthetic resins. For the use in coatings, the company offers not only acrylic and alkyd resins, but also dispersions, polyester resins, powder coating resins, radiation-curing resins, can and coil coating resins and special resins. Synthopol's portfolio comprises resins for adhesives, for the construction industry and for other

Table I

Product	Europe(e/mt)	Americas(US$/mt)	Asia(US$/mt)
Acetaldehyde	60	–	–
Crotonaldehyde	75	90	90
Proprionaldehyde	40	–	50

applications, too. The FC, free of charge for users, offers raw material data for the coatings, printing inks, adhesives, sealants and construction chemicals industries. Users have access to 7,159 raw materials as well as 1,073 suppliers of raw materials production technology, occupational/environmental safety and services (www.coatings.de/formulationcenter).

Du Pont Automotive Systems announces local consolidation of coatings laboratories

Du Pont Automotive Systems, a global supplier of automotive OEM coatings, announced it will consolidate its two coatings laboratories located in Southeastern Michigan into its Mt Clemens, Michigan/USA, automotive coatings manufacturing plant and research facility. As a result, by the end of September 2006, Du Pont will close its automotive coatings laboratory in Troy with a reduction of approximately 200 positions in technical, sales-marketing and administrative roles. No other Du Pont Automotive businesses or facilities located in Troy are affected. The Du Pont Troy site will continue operations at three buildings and technical development facilities in a variety of automotive businesses including automotive coatings, elastomers, engineering plastics, fluoropolymers, and advance specialty fibers.

Matchmycolor.com

GretagMacbeth, a worldwide technological leader of color management solutions for graphic arts, photography, digital imaging, paints, plastics, apparel, textile, automotive, other industries and SpecialChem are announcing today a partnership to offer extended online services in color management and color communication on matchmycolor.com.

Besides matchmycolor.com's existing services of online color matching and color feasibility, the announced partnership will enable color professionals using inks, paints and plastics to access the following range of color services:

• Color communication – speak the same language;

• Color management – accurate color reproduction;

• Munsell color standards – choose color standards; and

• Color inspiration and creation – create your color palette with Eye- One-Share.

To test the new capabilities of matchmycolor.com, color professionals are invited to visit: www.matchmycolor.com?lr=mpa0629&li=53518.matchmycolor.com, the online platform offering color management resources and services aimed at the entire color industry value chain, is pleased to announce the revamp of its color feasibility service and its expansion into two new industrial applications: paints and coatings, and inks and graphic arts.

World architectural paint demand to reach $39.3 billion in 2009

World demand for architectural paints is forecast to rise 3.7 percent per year through 2009 to 19.8 million metric tons, valued at $39.3 billion. Worldwide architectural paint demand will benefit from stronger economic growth through 2009, combined with strong (albeit decelerating) growth in building construction expenditures over the same period. Additionally, rapid growth in the world's urban population and number of households will continue to strain the existing housing stock, prompting increased residential construction spending at both the public and private levels.

These and other trends are presented in World Architectural Paints, a new study from The Freedonia Group Inc., a Cleveland-based industry research firm.

The most rapid gains will arise in the world's emerging markets, with continued healthy expansion in the large Chinese and Indian markets. Although Japan is projected to post gains that will significantly lag the global average through 2009, the country's architectural paint market will see a reversal of the declines experienced during the 1999-2004 period based on an improved outlook for fixed investment and construction spending. Growth in demand for architectural paints in North America and Western Europe will lag the world average, although these two regions will still account for over 45 percent of the global market in 2009 despite being home to less than 13 percent of the world's population. Slower gains in the USA and Canada will be offset to a certain extent by healthy demand from Mexico's emerging architectural paint market.

Exterior architectural paint demand in the USA will be adversely impacted by a switch from wood siding to vinyl and other alternative siding types that require limited or no painting. The West European market for paints and coatings is projected to increase a sub- par 2.2 percent per year through 2009, although this will still mark an improvement over the performance during the past decade.

In North America and Western Europe, around 80 percent of architectural paint demand is now water-based. In most other parts of the world, this ratio is still under 60 percent and bound to increase significantly through 2009.

World Architectural Paints (published 01/2006, 251 pages) is available for purchase. For further details, contact Corinne Gangloff: Tel: 440/684.9600, Fax: 440/646.0484 or e-mail: pr@freedoniagroup.com. Information may also be obtained at: www.freedoniagroup.com

Russian maker Empils increased coatings production 6 percent in 2005

Empils summed up the results of its activity in 2005. Key company products are paints and varnishes for the consumer market, and zinc oxide (zinc white), which is a raw material for the tire, rubber, cable and oil- refining industries. In these segments, Empils is the leading Russian manufacturer. In 2005, Empils increased production 6 percent for decorative coatings and 20 percent for zinc oxide.

Production volume of decorative coatings came to 85,000ton (in 2004 – 80,000ton) in 2005. Company development was aimed mainly toward geographic business expansion.

In the Ukraine, the company made investments in production capabilities of the Odessa plant Elaks, which is in the Empils system. Production volume at Elaks grew from 1,000ton in 2004 to 9,000ton in 2005.

Share of sales in the Central Asia region is already 22 percent in combined Empils sales. Business appeal in Central Asia is explained by the increased purchasing capacity of the growing population and the long construction season, which is longer than in Russia and the Ukraine.

The assortment of Empils alkyd enamels, waterborne paints, tinting and protective coatings grew by more than 20 new products. The Oreol- Decor texture-coatings series was also developed and launched to market.

US wood protection coatings and preservatives demand to reach $3 billion in 2009

Demand for wood protection coatings and preservatives is forecast to increase 2.7 percent per year to $3.0 billion in 2009, despite a challenging market environment. Continued weakness in the key siding market is prompting coatings manufacturers to place greater emphasis on growing applications such as cabinets and flooring. In addition, demand will benefit from upgrading, steady production of pressure-treated lumber, and solid levels of construction- related repair and improvement spending.

These and other trends are presented in Wood Protection Coatings & Preservatives, a new study from The Freedonia Group Inc., a Cleveland- based industrial market research firm.

In markets such as siding and windows and doors, wood has sustained substantial losses to alternative materials, in particular plastics. However, opportunities for growth still exist based in part on the favorable qualities of wood (e.g. high aesthetic and insulating value), and protective coatings and preservatives will play an important role in future market success.

In general, demand for wood protection coatings and preservatives will achieve the most favorable gains in interior wood applications, such as flooring and cabinets. Flooring and cabinet production will be promoted by growth in repair and improvement spending, as the purchase of these items is common during remodeling activity. In order to maintain wood's position in interior applications, wood-coating suppliers will strive to develop product lines that feature a wider range of colors, improved efficiency and enhanced durability. However, the longevity of interior wood limits gains in coatings demand, as maintenance requirements are infrequent.

In exterior applications, wood will continue to suffer losses to competitive materials, resulting in an extremely difficult market environment for wood-protection coatings and preservatives suppliers, especially as high maintenance requirements are a key factor in wood's gradual market losses. This is especially the case in siding, where the use of wood-based products continues to decline. However, demand for maintenance coatings will continue to be supported by the large installed base of wood housing and decks. Demand will also be boosted by the greater use of higher value coatings, featuring enhanced durability, greater ease of use and easier cleanup.

The report, “Wood Protection Coatings & Preservatives,” (published 01/2006, 289 pages) is available for purchase from The Freedonia Group Inc. Contact Corinne Gangloff: Tel: 440/684.9600, e-mail: pr@freedoniagroup.com or visit: www.freedoniagroup.com/

Demand for automotive coatings, adhesives and sealants to exceed $7 billion in 2010

Demand for automotive coatings, adhesives and sealants in the USA is forecast to rise 4.1 percent per year to over $7 billion in 2010. Growth in OEM demand will be supported by US motor-vehicle production, which will rebound from declines posted during the 2000-2005 period. However, these gains will be mostly linked to passenger cars, which consume less coatings, adhesives and sealants on a per vehicle basis than larger vehicles. Aftermarket demand will benefit from gains in the number of vehicles in use, which will rise 1.5 percent annually through 2010.

Aftermarket demand will continue to benefit from a change in the product mix over the last decade favoring larger light vehicles, particularly sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Although demand for light trucks and vans (including SUVs) is slowing compared to recent years due to high fuel prices and market saturation, the number of such large light vehicles will continue to increase as a percentage of total light vehicles in use. Because of the relatively recent emergence of light trucks, vans and SUVs, fewer of them are being retired from the light vehicle park relative to conventional automobiles. The resultant shift in composition of the vehicle park will favor the aftermarket for coatings, adhesives and sealants, as larger light vehicles require more materials on a per-vehicle basis than conventional automobiles.

These and other trends are presented in “Automotive Coatings, Adhesives & Sealants,” a new study from The Freedonia Group Inc., a Cleveland- based industry research firm. For further details, contact Corinne Gangloff at: pr@freedoniagroup.com or visit: www.freedoniagroup.com

Malvern ALISS wins innovation award

The Malvern ALISS at-line particle size analyzer has been named winner of the Powder/Bulk Solids 2005 Innovation Award in the processing category (www.powderbulksolids.com). According to the organizers, the award recognizes the quality and efficiency of the product as well as the degree to which its technology has contributed to overall productivity in the dry processing and bulk handling industry.

Launched last year, the Malvern ALISS at-line particle size analyzer for dry powder processes enables measurements to be made in an automated laboratory or manually close to the process line. It offers the benefits of robust industrial technology normally used online and can be easily transformed to a full online system at a later date. This allows optimization of a number of mills to be performed offline before having the potential to dedicate the system online for a particular key line.

Malvern ALISS can be centrally located amongst multiple mills, reducing the time from sampling to result facilitating timely process control (www.malvern.co.uk).

Dow Corning opens Technical Information Centre in Europe

Dow Corning has opened a new Technical Information Centre (TIC) in Wiesbaden (Germany), extending the company's ability to provide technical support and Live Help to customers around the world. The global centre provides rapid responses to technical, regulatory, and environmental, health and safety inquiries. Team members are able to make product recommendations, provide troubleshooting advice and proven solutions to companies around the globe. The Wiesbaden facility is the fourth TIC Dow Corning has opened in recent years. Others are in Tokyo (Japan), Songjiang (near Shanghai, China), and Midland (Michigan, USA). Main languages offered are German, English, French, Hungarian, Romanian, Turkish, Japanese, Mandarin, and Portuguese. “Live Help” is currently available in English, German and Chinese.

Utek completes technology transfer with Trio Industries

Utek Corporation, a US-based technology transfer company, and Trio Industries Group Inc., an integrated manufacturer of finished household cabinet components that will utilize surface coating finishing and manufacturing processes, announced that Trio Industries Group Inc. has acquired Ultra Fine Coating Systems Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Utek Corporation, in a stock transaction. Ultra Fine Coating Systems Inc. holds a license to an innovative powder coating technology developed at The University of Western Ontario which allows for the complete fluidization of ultra fine particles down to nanometre size. The company's objective is to produce high quality surface finishing on wood and other cellulose-based materials and products comparable to liquid coatings used for automotive exteriors.

Du Pont Coatings & Color Technologies takes steps to improve competitiveness

Du Pont has instigated a global plan to reduce costs, improve productivity and better serve its customers in its performance coatings businesses. “The steps ... reduce annual costs in our coatings businesses by $165 million through facility consolidations and rebalancing our assets toward faster- growing market segments and geographies, while continuing to provide excellent service to our customers in existing markets,” said Terry Caloghiris, group Vice President for Du Pont Coatings & Color Technologies.

Under the plan, Du Pont will tailor marketing strategies to key customers and segments, leverage technology globally and consolidate manufacturing and technical assets. The company plans to close and consolidate laboratory and manufacturing sites, resulting in the reduction of approximately 1,500 positions, most of them in Europe. This is in addition to a February announcement that approximately 200 positions would be eliminated in association with the closing of the company's Troy, Mich., laboratory and its consolidation into its Mt Clemens, Mich., facility.

“This transformation plan is designed not only to improve the short-term health of these businesses, but also to ensure a future of sustainable, profitable growth,” said Charles O. Holliday Jr, Du Pont Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The plan also includes actions to open new sites and establish new joint ventures in growing market areas, strengthening technology resources and intensifying focus on growth businesses.

Among growth initiatives taken by Du Pont recently are a new automotive finishes laboratory opened in late 2005 at Aichi, Japan, and new manufacturing facilities in China. Last month, the company formed a joint venture with Russian finishes supplier Russkie-Kraski to provide OEM coatings for the automobile and commercial vehicle industries in Russia and the former Soviet republics. The company also assumed full ownership of a former joint venture in Mexico, acquired its distributor in Poland and opened a new industrial- coatings facility in Brazil.

The announcement identifies four manufacturing and laboratory facilities the company plans to close in Europe: the Rubi and Polinya sites in Spain, the Breda site in the Netherlands, and the Hellac Laboratory in Germany. It includes the reduction of sales and marketing, technical, manufacturing and administrative positions.

Rockwood reports titanium-dioxide pigment sales results for 2005

Rockwood Holdings Inc., Princeton, NJ, announced solid fourth-quarter and full-year 2005 earnings in preliminary and non-audited results for the fourth-quarter and full-year 2005.

Rockwood Holdings Inc. is the ultimate parent company of Rockwood Specialties Group Inc., a leading global specialty chemicals and advanced materials company. Rockwood has a worldwide employee base of approximately 10,800 people and net sales of approximately $3.1 billion in 2005. The company focuses on global niche segments of the specialty chemicals and advanced materials markets, including specialty chemicals, performance additives, titanium-dioxide pigments, advanced ceramics, custom synthesis, specialty compounds and electronics.

Net sales for titanium-dioxide pigments increased 3.1 percent, while adjusted EBITDA declined 5.2 percent in the fourth quarter year-on-year. The increase in net sales resulted from increased volumes of Rockwood's titanium-dioxide products in rutile grade and increased net sales of certain recycling products, partially offset by weaker demand in the synthetic-fiber market primarily due to historically low cotton prices and the unfavorable impact of currency changes. Adjusted EBITDA declined as a result of higher raw material, energy and manufacturing costs that offset the impact of the sales increase.

Net sales and adjusted EBITDA improved 2.0 and 2.4 percent, respectively, on a full-year basis as cost-reduction measures and increased sales of titanium-dioxide products in rutile grade and certain recycling products were partially offset by weaker demand in the synthetic-fiber market and higher raw material and energy costs. For the full report, visit: www.rocksp.com

Forum on marine coatings makes strong commitment for worldwide harmonization

The International Paint and Printing Ink Council (IPPIC), Washington, holding a NGO consultative status with the United Nations, has held its first global forum on marine coatings in Tokyo. Since, the shipbuilding and ship-maintenance industry has evolved into a truly global business, specific regulations and legislation require a worldwide approach. Consequently, this has a strong impact on the composition and application of marine coatings.

About 50 participants from Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific Rim were representing the paint industry and its suppliers, paint associations, the shipbuilding industry and marine- related authorities. The forum was hosted by the Japanese Paint Manufacturers Association and chaired by J. Andrew Doyle, President of the National Paint & Coatings Association, Washington. Among the main topics were the trends in the global marine and marine coatings industry, technical developments, as well as safety, health and environmental (SHE) issues. Within this framework, much attention was also given to specific regional dynamics, such as customer needs and SHE drivers.

Guest speaker Bryan Wood-Thomas from the Office of International Policy, US-EPA, introduced the key subject of the forum: the IMO-AFS Treaty and its impact on marine antifouling coatings and shipping. This treaty is clearly recognized as a prime example of an environmental issue requiring a mutual global approach. Extensive attention was given to the new legislation and the response from the industry, the ratification process and further future steps. In this respect, IPPIC will apply for a NGO consultative status with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN's specialized agency responsible for improving maritime safety and preventing pollution from ships.

The first Global Forum resulted in an agreement to promote a representative forum for discussion and decision making on key international issues faced by companies engaged in the worldwide marine-coatings business. Ad hoc working groups will be formed under the umbrella of IPPIC to deal with issues as they arise. The first of these will be dedicated to monitoring and reporting back on future developments in antifouling coating and shipping issues.

The IPPIC comprises paint and printing ink associations representing Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, India, Japan, Mexico and the USA.

IPPIC was established to ensure that the industry, in coordinating the development of industry policy on international issues, fully discussed and analyzed the global implications.

For further information, contact Jim Sell at NPCA. Tel: 202/462 6272, Fax: 202/462 8549 or e-mail: IPPIC@paint.org.

For further information (Europe), contact Jacques Warnon, CEPE, 4 avenue van Nieuwenhuyse, BE-1160 Brussels.