COMMITTEES
Industrial and powder coatings
Industrial and Powder Coatings
Council
Chaired by Patrick Smith, Manor
Coatings High Performance Coatings
Group
Chaired by Malcolm Morris, Sherwin-
Williams Protective & Marine Coatings
The first meeting of 2018 included
a two-hour discussion with Defra
officials on the Government’s new
Clean Air Strategy. The BCF and
several members subsequently
contributed to the consultation, and
helped clarify the current situation
regarding VOC and other emissions.
BCF agreed to work closely with
Defra on the development of a
coatings sector roadmap, which will
be followed up in 2019. The HPC group met on two
occasions as a BCF member-only
group in 2018, and participated in
additional meetings with key contact
organisations such as Highways
England (HE) and Network Rail
(NR). The Protective Coatings for
UK Infrastructure (PCUKI) Group
continues to be an important part
of the group’s activities. There were
four meetings relating to PCUKI over
the course of the past year – two
meetings of the main committee
(February and November) and two
of the sub-committees, looking at the
paint approval procedures for both
Highways England and Network Rail
(April and September). There was
also a special ‘showcase’ event where
9 different BCF member companies
were given 15 minutes each to
present their latest technologies and
product ranges to representatives
from HE and NR, and the British
Board of Agreement (BBA).
The TiO 2 classification, and Brexit
were both major issues discussed at
the Council in some detail. At time of
writing, both topics are still major risks
to the sector, on top of the continued
increase in raw material prices, and
dampening demand.
The new PaintSafe initiative for
industrial applications was launched,
and a leaflet on safe use of isocyanate
coatings was distributed to members.
The Industrial and Powder Coatings
Council included a joint session with
the Vehicle Refinish members in both
meetings in 2018, and it was agreed
this was a useful format for future
meetings; utilising the meeting room
space at BCF’s new headquarters,
Spectra House. In addition, the BCF
will continue to host the European
Powder Coatings meeting once a
year in Coventry, and encourage
participation from BCF powder
coatings members. The most recent
joint meeting took place in April 2019.
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One key topic for 2018 was the
increased interest and requests
from customers and end-users for
information relating to sustainability
and environmental footprinting of
industrial coatings. There was some
confusion within the membership
over the extent to which green
construction schemes cover the
industrial coatings used to e.g. paint
the external metal surfaces on
buildings or structures. With the
help of several members, and the
scheme providers (including the
Building Research Establishment and
the Building Research Establishment
Environmental Assessment Method
schemes) the BCF published
information note G034, providing
some clarity on the various green
schemes that are being referenced,
BCF ANNUAL HANDBOOK 2019/20