This edition of the newsletter contains:

News features.
The Powder Coating Manual (Part 11)
Exhibitions and Conferences in and January and February 2003


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Akzo Nobel may cut more jobs
(European Coatings Flash - December 02, 2002)
Akzo Nobel said it may cut more jobs in its coatings and pharmaceutical businesses in addition to previously announced reductions, according to news reports. The company declined to provide specifics on the number of possible job cuts or when an announcement would be made. Akzo Nobel, the world's biggest coatings manufacturer, launched a cost-reduction program last year in its coatings and chemicals businesses. The company initially said it would cut 2,000 jobs in the coatings unit, and said earlier this month that 700 coatings positions had been eliminated so far.

Asian Paints to focus on emerging global markets
(European Coatings Flash - December 23, 2002)
Asian Paints has announced that the company will focus on the emerging markets for growth and that Berger International will be the main growth driver for its international operations. The company is transforming itself to become a major world player in the decorative paints business, with particular focus on emerging markets following its acquisition of controlling stake in Berger International Ltd, Singapore and SCIB Chemical SAE of Egypt. The total investment made by the company in both these acquisitions amounted to around $16.80 million.


Silver is the most popular vehicle color
(European Coatings Flash - December 23, 2002)
Silver was the most popular color throughout the world on vehicles manufactured in the 2002 model year, according to the DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Report. Silver also was the most-selected color in North America, where white took second place with 15 percent of consumers and black was the third choice at 12 percent. Blue continues to gain strength in North America as it replaces green. Silver/gray was tops in Europe, followed by blue and black. In Asia, gray was first, white second and black third. "DuPont spotted the potential of silver several years ago, even as green was the dominant color choice in the United States and blue and white led in Europe," says Bob Daily, manager, DuPont automotive color marketing.
"Gray, whether dark and mysterious or pale pewter, will extend the influence of this family of neutral colors because it conveys a sense of richness, especially for luxury SUVs and light trucks. "A color surge this strong generally runs a seven-year cycle, from its initial quick rise through its fall below the top three colors. We continue our watch on the interest of blue as a possible leading color. Blue is the lone chromatic color choice in the top rankings otherwise dominated by neutrals such as silver/gray, white and black."


Help in fight against superbugs
(EXPRESSANDSTAR.COM Dec 17, 2002, 12:05:00)
A Wolverhampton company which specialises in anti-bacterial powder coatings is helping hospitals in the fight against superbugs.

BioCote provides equipment which makes them immune to bacteria.

According to a study by the National Audit Office two years ago, 100,000 patients a year pick up the superbug MRSA and it kills about 5,000 patients annually in the UK.

BioCote's powder has been created to beat bacteria on objects such as handrails, hospital beds, showers, door handles and medical equipment where it is most likely to be passed on by direct contact.

The antibacterial agent is incorporated into traditional powder coating finish for metal and wood objects so that each item can effectively inhibit the growth of all major bacterial strains, including MRSA.

BioCote was developed after several years of research by BioCote Ltd in association with the University of Wolverhampton.

The company was founded in 1994 and is based at Wolverhampton Science Park.

A spokesman said they were currently working with a number of suppliers to the NHS and spraying beds with a coated powder which makes them immune to bacteria.

He said: "Powder coating has always been the product of choice on equipment where regular contact is made because it is so long lasting."

Meanwhile, Financial Times Internet edition (ft.com Monday Dec 30 2002) informs that Flintstone Technologies, an investor that specialises in bringing Russian technologies to western markets, will announce tomorrow that one of the companies it has invested in, BioCote, will seek to float on Aim in the first half of 2003.

BioCote has developed an anti-bacterial powder coating for surfaces used in hospitals. Flintstone has a 40 per cent stake in the company.


MDF Powder Coat Systems
Press Release

MDF Powder Coat Systems announces the opening of their three hundred foot coating line and R&D Test Facility in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. MDF Powder Coat Systems applies powder coating to medium density fiberboard, or MDF, as an alternative to other paint and laminate technologies.

The systems designed and installed by MDF Powder Coat Systems are high speed, energy-efficient lines utilizing automatic powder coating equipment and catalytic infrared curing ovens to apply and cure electrostatically charged powders to engineered wood products such as MDF. By testing products in thermal and thermal/UV cure ovens, customers are able to select an individually designed system that will best suit their needs. Powder coating is an environment-friendly method of painting, as there is little wasted powder and no V.O.C (Volatile Organic Compounds) emitted from the process.

The pre-conditioned MDF passes through the powder-coating booth where the reciprocating spray guns apply the charged powder onto the board. The over-sprayed powder is reclaimed and recycled via a highly efficient multi-pack cyclone system.


The collective technologies offered by MDF Systems are a major departure from the methods used to date. Central to the systems are the multiple catalytic ovens that are key to a production facility for coating medium density fiberboard. MDF Powder Coat Systems is a leader in this area with their experience including installations of MDF lines in Europe and New Zealand. MDF Powder Coat Systems is located at 300 High Point Avenue, P.O. Box 840, Portsmouth, RI 02871. For further information, call (401) 683-7525, fax at (401) 683-6450, or send an email to MDFPowderCoating@aol.com.


NAGASHIMA OF JAPAN DEVELOPS COOL PAVEMENTS
http://www.pra.org.uk/publications/newsofthemonth/nom-index.htm
Using its paint developed for cars and factory roofs, the Nagashima Special Paint Co has launched, jointly with the Nippon Hodo Co, a material capable of reducing road surface temperature by up to 30 degrees C by reflecting the sun's rays. Nippon Hodo, the country's top road paver, will market the material to local authorities to produce 'cool' pavements. (Surface Coatings Austral, Oct 2002, 39 (10), 13)

Nippon Paint developes silicon-based water repellent coating
(European Coatings Flash - December 16, 2002)
Japans leading paint producer Nippon Paint has succeeded in developing a silicon-based super water repellent coating possessing equivalent properties to existing fluorine-based materials. Because fluorine compounds are expensive, fluorine-based water repellent paints have been less than satisfactory from a cost viewpoint. Nippon Paint claims, that the new coating solves former problems and enables water repellency to be delivered at relatively low cost.

BASF Coatings offers solutions for coil coating
(European Coatings Flash - December 16, 2002)
BASF Coatings AG developed new products for use in the coil coating segment: with the innovative materials, BASF is offering a new coating which reflects heat and is thus able to conserve energy. The other products improve the coatings performance in the building and construction sector. "Ultra-Cool", a coil coating which is based on a fluoropolymer resin system and which is used to coat metal roofs can help to keep buildings cooler in the heat of summer and save on the costs of air conditioning. In contrast with energy-intensive air conditioning, Ultra-Cool from BASF Coatings offers a particularly eco-efficient solution.
Two product versions that go under the "First Coat" product name are intended for the pre-treatment of metals: what sets both of these innovative products apart is their combination of inorganic acids and organic resin material. In conjunction with a suitable primer and topcoat, these components provide exceptionally good anti-corrosion properties and additional surface protection for galvanized steel and aluminum. The high performance nature of the product provides the basis for several novel uses.
High resistance and durability also distinguishes the two coil coatings formulations "Fluoroceram" and "UltraMet": these coatings contain at least 70 per cent fluoropolymer resin and are therefore particularly suitable for building and construction applications. They are highly UV-resistant, abrasion-resistant, flexible and colorfast. The ruggedness in extreme weather conditions, acid rain and air pollution without bleaching or flaking makes these paints virtually maintenance-free.

Dow discontinues BLOX
( November 2002 e-epoxy.NEWS letter)
The Dow Chemical Company has announced that it is discontinuing production of BLOX* thermoplastic resins and is evaluating divestiture or licensing options for the materials, which are made via the company's patented reactive extrusion technology. BLOX thermoplastic resins, which were launched in December 1999, are a family of polymers that offer the adhesion and durability of epoxy resins with the flexibility and processability of thermoplastics.

After evaluation, Dow determined that BLOX resins do not fit in the company's current growth strategy and product mix. "We remain fully committed to the epoxy resin industry and will redirect knowledge and resources toward other growth opportunities, including the recently commercialized epoxies and epoxy acrylates for UV curable applications," said Phil Cook, business vice president for Epoxy Products & Intermediates.

Dow currently manufacturers BLOX resins at its Freeport, Texas facility. The company will establish a timeline for ceasing production only after meeting with all BLOX resins customers. Further information about the product can be found at www.bloxthermoplasticresins.com.


STANDARDS
http://www.pra.org.uk/publications/newsofthemonth/nom-index.htm
The following developments have recently occurred in the field of standards:

BS ISO9038: 2002: Test for sustained combustibility of liquids

For further information, please go to: http://www.bsi-global.com

ASTM has recently published a list of 23 standards which are set for withdrawal because they have not been re-approved within the required fiveyear time frame. Some are listed below - the remainder will be listed in next month's News of the Month:

- D237-57 (1997): Standard specification for orange shellac and other lacs;
- D563-88 (1996) e1: Standard test method for phthalic anhydride content of alkyd resins and resin solutions;
- D1306-88 (1996)e1: Standard  test method for phthalic anhydride content of alkyd resins and esters containing other dibasic acids (gravimetric);
- D1615-60(1996)e1: Standard test methods for glycerol, ethylene glycol and pentaerythritol in alkyd resins;
- D1639-90 (1996)e1: Standard test method for acid value of organic coating materials;
- D1647-89 (1996)e1: Standard test methods for resistance of dried films of varnishes to water and alkali;
- D1652-97: Standard test methods for epoxy content of epoxy resins;
- D1725-62 (1996)e1: Standard test method for viscosity of resin solutions;
- D1726-90 (1996): Standard test methods for hydrolyzable chloride content of liquid epoxy resins;
- D1979-97: Standard test method for free formaldehyde content of amino resins;
- D2455-89 (1996)e1: Standard test method for identification of carboxylic acids in alkyd resins.

For further information, please go to: http://www.astm.org

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