Winner of CEO Leadership Award, Memcom Excellence Awards, September 2024
BCF Award winners, The Milner York, November 2024
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EDITORIAL
BY TOM BOWTELL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE BCF
As we head deeper into the winter, I know it’s a challenging time for BCF members. The Chancellor’s budget really did hit business hard, and I know having talked to many members that the combination of the National Insurance hikes, living wage increases and new packaging EPR taxes, makes the burden on industry bigger than ever. Adding to this is the flat economy, soft demand for our sector’s products at the moment and raw material prices still close to record highs. Family businesses within our membership are also faced with the changes to Business Property Relief tax, which hasn’t got much media coverage, but has the same impact on family-owned businesses as the Agricultural Property Tax relief is having on farmers. David Park has led our response to the budget, lobbying together with family business and manufacturing associations to explain the impact this will have on growth and the future prosperity of our sector. I know David is keen to get our sector better engaged with the hundreds of new Members of Parliament, so please do help by contacting your own local MP, if you have not done so already.
We have been continuing to lobby on UK REACH and the broader competitiveness of the coatings sector. I have had two meetings with Sarah Jones MP, Minister for Business, who is responsible for the Chemicals sector. She has listened to our views on UK REACH and other regulations, and we are asking Government to look again at how it can further reduce burdens on industry. We can be part of the solution for growth and the country’s net zero ambitions, but we need to have a proportionate regulatory landscape that doesn’t disadvantage UK manufacturers. I am pleased to say I will be meeting with Defra Chemicals Minister Emma Hardy before Christmas, where I will again outline what industry needs to support growth, whilst maintaining high environmental and safety standards.
I know the team have been working hard to reduce the negative impact of Packaging EPR, particularly for the printing ink sector. The BCF’s working group on this, led by Barbara Patterson, Chair of our Printing Inks Technical Committee and BCF’s Ciara Dempsey, has responded very quickly to some very tight deadlines, and have already achieved some very positive changes, with hopefully more to come.
The printing inks sector is also out of scope of the antidumping action in the EU against Chinese titanium dioxide suppliers, which is good news. The same can’t be said for our paint company members, who will suffer from higher costs for their EU manufacturing sites. Thankfully the UK is not considering similar measures, but we are keeping a close eye on this. The new Chair of CEPE, our very own David Beckford from Pronto Paints, gives some thoughts on his new role on page 9. It’s great for the UK to have David leading the agenda in Europe. I was also pleased to see the unanimous support for the UK at the CEPE Annual Meeting, where BCF and our members were confirmed as equal and full members of CEPE, in the same way Norway and Switzerland are.
We recognise the fantastic achievements of many of our members in this issue, with a full report on all our amazing award winners from page 16, including a Q&A with our Young Leader of the Year, Dr Catherine Friar from Hexigone Inhibitors on page 34.
You’ll also find a Q&A with our two new members of staff, Zoe Slade and Matthew Peters, on pages 38 and 39. I’m thrilled we’ve filled these two critical positions for the Federation, and looking forward to their contributions to ensuring BCF continues to both lead on the sustainability agenda and adds maximum value to members.
We are starting to roll out our new careers strategy, which you can read about on page 10. Leah Elvin, our Careers Coordinator has done a great job putting this together.
The Autumn has seen a huge amount of effort from members, led by Steve Snaith, to get the PaintCare proposition ready for the BCF Board meeting at the end of November. The meeting went very well, and members will now be reviewing the proposal, with a view to make a firm Go/No-Go decision for 2026 in Q1 2025. On behalf of the board and membership, I’d like to personally thank Steve for all his efforts this year – we couldn’t have got this far without him.
It just remains for me to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT UPDATE
DAVID PARK Public Affairs Manager
MP AND MINISTERIAL ENGAGEMENT
With the July General Election leading to a massive 181 Labour Majority, we are now starting to work our way through making contact with all the new MPs and Ministers who have a connection to the coatings sector and its interests. Tom has already met the new Industry Minister, Sarah Jones, twice and we have met a number of new MPs who either represent member sites or have an interest in business or other related issues. If you have not yet reached out to your new MP (or old on for that matter!) please do try and do so – they listen to local businesses as employers in a different way they do to the BCF as a trade association. If you would like and support or guidance in writing to them or arranging a visit, please drop me an email via david.park@bcf.co.uk.
BUDGET
I think the whole sector was disappointed (perhaps not a strong enough word) at the way the Budget was so focussed on business. We know how the huge increase to Employer NIC contributions, combined with rises to the minimum wage, will have impacted on members. We were also especially concerned about the changes to Inheritance Tax Business Property Relief and how this will impact on family-owned businesses. It is the same issue as that affecting farmers, except that the latter has received a lot more publicity. BCF is working with Family Business UK, and through Make UK and the CBI, in order to try and get this latter change reversed.
Were there positives though? A few. Firstly, infrastructure expenditure is always good for the sector (as long as things actually get built). The guarantee on Corporation Tax rates for this parliament should give some stability there. And the decision to retain full expensing on capital equipment is important for the manufacturing sector. But, overall, the impact on business is largely negative. If anyone has specific feedback they want to share with me, please get in touch.
INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY GREEN PAPER
One of Labour’s key commitments in the run-up to July’s election was that it would introduce a new industrial strategy for the UK. In October, the Government delivered on this pledge with the publication of a Green Paper ‘Invest 2035: The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.’ A Green Paper is basically a consultation document laid before Parliament asking for input into the development of a policy or legislation. The consultation closed on 24th November and BCF has submitted a response. Thank you to those who gave feedback for inclusion.
The British Coatings Federation supports this industrial strategy approach. Indeed, we had been calling for one for some time in the run-up to the election. It is good the Strategy is being consulted on and that it has the backing of the PM. It has a longer-term horizon of ten years and will be an important way of co-ordinating policies to support British Industry over the course of this Parliament and beyond. It is also good that the Green Paper recognises that a broader ‘pro-business environment’ needs to be in place for the Strategy to work. It cites policies on ‘people and skills, innovation, energy and infrastructure, the regulatory environment, crowding in investment, and international partnerships and trade. (How the recent Budget and its impact on business fits in here is hard to determine though). These all, perhaps, seem like ‘no-brainers’ but too often policies are looked at in isolation, not as part of a strategic whole.
However, the specifics contained in the document were few and far between, even for a Green Paper. It identified eight ‘high growth’ sectors the Government would be looking to support – Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences, and Professional and Business Services. The consultation asked for input identifying the key ‘sub-sectors’ in these areas, as well as the need to recognise ‘foundational’ sectors feeding into them and their wider value chains. It is unclear where coatings sits – we could be considered foundational as we are essential to at least five and probably six of the identified areas – but this is more likely to mean things like the chemicals or steel sectors. Are we then part of the value chains? Almost certainly yes – but, again, we are not confined to just one of these silos. We could even be considered a key ‘sub-sector’ in our own right, maybe under more than one heading. This vagueness, and the fact the broader chemicals sector was not referenced at all, is a little worrying.
The BCF response has obviously made our case to be recognised as essential to the delivery of the Industrial Strategy and across a number of the identified high growth sectors – in fact the messaging from our Essential Coatings campaign ties in perfectly with this. We have also agreed with the focus on creating productive regulatory environments: after all, crucial to the coatings sector, and all those within the broader chemicals industry, is to finally deliver a solution on chemical regulation. And to so in a way that delivers an ambitious and proportionate regulatory environment within which UK businesses can compete as world leaders, including a swift resolution to UK REACH.
We look forward to continuing to engage with Government on the development of the Strategy and will report on its progress in future editions of Covered.
Coatings Care Programme shows big sustainability improvements
Energy use decreased by 20% from 2021.
The 2024 Coatings Care report –which cites data from full-year 2023 - demonstrates continued improvement in sustainability performance. Leading the list of improvements was energy use falling by 12% compared to 2022. This result means that energy use per tonne of production is lower than at any point prior to 2018. And for the constant sample of 22 companies taking part in every Coatings Care survey for each of the last five years - which eliminates the effect of sample changes - the result was equally good. In 2023, energy use among those companies was 161 kWh per tonne of production, down 9% compared to the previous year, 10% lower than in 2020, and the lowest recorded energy use figure since the survey began in 1996.
Moreover, this year, for the first time, a majority of sites reported zero landfill waste from production, as 59% said that all waste was either incinerated or recycled. For the constant sample of 22 companies providing data for the last 5 years, 16 produced no landfill waste at
Find out more about BCF’s Coatings Care Programme here:
The BCF Coatings Care programme was established to monitor and drive improvement in the health and welfare of employees, the safe operation of processes, and sustainable practices across the coatings sector. Running since 1996, it is a voluntary programme which benchmarks BCF members’ performance against 45 KPIs, allowing changes to be measured over the years. The scheme currently has over 40 UK sites taking part, which is the highest number since 2012.
54% of production waste is now recycled, compared with just 17% in 1996 - a three-fold increase.
all. And for this ‘constant’ group, total waste was 34.6 kg per tonne of production, 7% lower than in 2023. Indeed, over the last 5 years, this was the best result outside of the exceptional covid year of 2020. Looking at the method of disposal, recycling increased to 70% of all waste compared to just 17% in 1996, while landfill waste fell to just 1%.
Accident rates are also at a record low and well below the rate of accidents reported for manufacturing industries in the latest UK Labour Force survey. 87% of the sites surveyed by BCF for their accident statistics reported no injuries at all.
Overall, the results are very encouraging. There is always much more to be done to boost sustainability performance, but this year’s report shows continued welcome steps in the right direction. The findings are a tribute to the work BCF members are putting into becoming a much more sustainable sector. Thank you to members that took part and
Accident
rates are 72% below where they were 20 years ago.
a reminder that if your own sites are not yet participating, we would welcome you to join Coatings Care in future years. It is a fantastic way to measure your position against the rest of the sector and you stand the chance of winning one of two accolades at our annual BCF Awards ceremony, for either ‘best performing’ or for ‘most improved’ site.
Supporting the Printing Inks sector through Defra’s development of a Recycling Assessment Methodology
Back in September, BCF was contacted by a new team of consultants who had been appointed to help Defra develop its Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme for packaging. In particular, they wanted input into the development of its Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM). The RAM is an important piece of guidance as it sets out what packaging materials should be determined as recyclable and non-recyclable, as well as those that are easy to recycle or not, based on components or inputs . This in turn will determine costs, with negative drivers designed to steer brands away from using the types of materials and inputs deemed to be causing problems with recycling or affecting the quality of the recyclate material.
A draft RAM was published in October, and it was apparent that, despite previous input from BCF, the initial guidance document was going to cause big problems for the printing ink sector. The draft was very vague and - given the way it was worded and if implemented to the letter - it would have meant almost any packaging item containing printing inks would have been categorised under the RED category, as non-recyclable or hard to recycle. In turn, this would have meant brands could have turned away from printing inks in their packaging products or have had to absorb higher recycling costs.
There followed a frantic month of drafting and re-drafting here at the BCF, with substantial close involvement from the BCF’s Printing Ink Technical Committee, Chaired by Barbara Paterson, as well as representatives from many other companies. It truly was all hands to the pumps. Evidence was gathered to challenge the initial draft and constructive rewrites of the text were put forward to help improve the Defra guidance document. As we go to print, the latest draft we have seen is a big improvement on the original text, although there are still some areas we believe need extra clarification to ensure accuracy of intention and the ultimate workability of the guidance as a whole. This is one of those times when a trade association can truly deliver tangible returns for its members. We were fortunate to be included in the conversations with Defra’s consultants at a relatively early stage – it turned out that some other sectors were not involved until much later in the process and so had even less time to push back against some of the many errors contained in the first published draft. Thank you to all who took part in this fight, replying at very short notice to requests for information or meetings, and to tight deadlines in turning around textual changes.
BCF will continue to monitor the development of the RAM and to press for improvements to accuracy and workability over the coming months. As we do so, we will engage closely with the Printing Ink Technical Committee and the wider membership to ensure all concerns and suggestions are heard.
in Solingen / Germany
CIARA DEMPSEY Regulatory Affairs Manager
BCF INFLUENCE IN EUROPE STRENGTHENED BY COLLABORATION
CEPE has elected David Beckford, Managing Director of Pronto Paints and Past President of the British Coatings Federation (BCF), as the new Chairman of the CEPE board. The election took place on 11th October at the CEPE General Assembly held in Copenhagen. The Assembly also voted on other topics, including the new Board members and the relationship between CEPE and the BCF.
Beckford succeeds Roald Johannsen, Vice President of PPG, who has served as CEPE Chairman since 2021.
"It is an honour to take on this role and I would like to thank my counterparts for entrusting me with this position,” said Beckford. “I am committed to pursuing the work of Roald Johannsen to help our companies, especially smaller ones such as mine, navigate the ever-more challenging regulatory landscape to ensure a sustainable future for our businesses and the environment.”
CEPE extends its deep gratitude to Johannsen for his dedication and leadership throughout his mandate.
"It has been a privilege to serve as CEPE Chairman and an honour to represent this great industry of ours,” said Johannsen. “My thanks to the Board, CEPE staff and National Associations for their collaboration in refreshing our vision, mission and purpose during a period of much change. CEPE is in good hands under the leadership of David.”
A key decision reached during the General Assembly was to maintain the UK in the geographical scope of CEPE with the adoption of a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the principles and guidelines that govern the relationship between CEPE and the BCF. It aims to ensure the continued and future collaboration by clarifying the roles and responsibilities of each association.
NEW CEPE CHAIRMAN DAVID BECKFORD: PLANS FOR TERM
We
thoughts on his new appointment and his plans for his term as Chairman of CEPE
After serving as BCF President 2018-2020, it seemed the logical next step to seek a position on the CEPE Board, to ensure the UK kept a voice in Europe regardless of political decisions. This desire to serve stems from seeing how much better the UK is for paint making with a strong federation supporting the membership. The scale and pace of change in recent years only makes this more of a necessity. Whilst I’ve been involved in Federations since 2011, I don’t mind admitting that CEPE often seemed a distant entity in that time. It was time to correct my lack of understanding.
Since being elected in 2022, I have seen firsthand the hard work that CEPE undertakes on everyone’s behalf, to ensure we have a voice within the EU machine. Whether or not you export coatings or sell to NI, UK firms will be importing raw materials, following UK legislation that closely mirrors that of the EU. It was vital that the CEPE AGM in Denmark ratified the UK membership after several years of temporary membership post-Brexit. Without this resolution, the UK would have been fully isolated from our nearest neighbours. Thankfully there was an overwhelming show of support with no objections. This is an excellent place to build from as it shows the whole of the paint and ink making community are united on the best way to represent our industry.
By remaining a part of CEPE, the UK can continue to offer a pragmatic view on upcoming legislation and help shape the future across the continent. Northern Ireland is an immediate example of where the EU and GB approach to chemical safety need to align as closely as possible. CEPE Committees and Working Groups are better for our participation.
It is an honour to take on the role of CEPE Chairman and I would like to thank my counterparts for their trust and support. I am committed to pursuing the work of the previous Chairman, Roald Johannsen, to develop the CEPE Vision. This was a huge piece of work to align CEPE with all the stakeholders that are vital to a successful industry.
Specifically, it will help our companies, especially smaller ones such as mine, navigate the evermore challenging regulatory landscape to ensure a sustainable future for our businesses and the environment.
During my term in office, I’d like to find ways to align the interests of the National Associations such as BCF with those of CEPE, with a focus on minimising duplication of effort and encouraging greater participation. CEPE is best placed to coordinate efforts at the highest levels whilst respecting the issues that arise at the National level. Lobbying within the EU relies on effective campaigning in the Member States. The more effective we can be, will only be a benefit to every manufacturer, however big or small.
Another project will be to find ways of improving collaboration upstream and downstream, so that the whole supply chain has an improved understanding of any challenges that may be ahead of us. There will always be hot topics, such as TiO2 tariffs, where everyone will be impacted. Someone needs to have an eye on future topics to try and avoid situations before they occur. How do we know what will impact though? Talking and advocating to each other more often will make a difference.
Finally, I’d like to encourage more people to take part in all of these initiatives and projects. In a world where everyone is permanently busy, I appreciate it can be hard to do this. By demonstrating the gains to be had when putting aside self-interest, the new networks and opportunities that emerge, I hope to persuade at least one person to join my quest for a better future.
hear from David Beckford on his
Painting a career inCOATcoatingsYOUR FUTURE:
BCF Careers Strategy 2024/25
Leah Elvin, Administrator and Careers Coordinator
‘Coat Your Future’ emphasises the need to inspire the next generation through building awareness to see the coatings industry as a vibrant and rewarding career destination.
Fostering talent is crucial to the ongoing success and innovation within the coatings industry. Over the past few months, we have taken significant steps in advancing our Careers Strategy to ensure a robust pipeline of skilled professionals, ready to drive our sector forward. We have worked with our Coatings NextGen Council to create a strategy geared towards attracting and retaining the next generation of talent centred around building awareness and expanding partnerships.
After analysing our Careers in Coatings Survey results, it was evident that there was a widespread view that the industry is not visible, with 88% identifying this as a barrier to recruitment. The lack of visibility can mean that the sector and all its opportunities are being overlooked altogether rather than rejected.
We have been collaborating with career networks at universities to raise awareness of the diverse roles our sector has to offer through attending various careers fairs. In October we attended both the STEM fair at the University of Birmingham and the Built Engineering fair at University College London (UCL); these engagements have been instrumental in sparking curiosity and enthusiasm amongst young people.
We plan to attend 50 events in 2025 with the help of our Coatings Ambassadors and NextGen Council members. We were joined at UCL by Ross Ward, CNGC member and Commercial Head of Coatings at BCF Associate member company Terrafend.
Here’s what he had to say about the event:
“Joining the BCF at a careers event was a rewarding experience. I connected with bright, enthusiastic students eager to explore opportunities in our industry. The event was a fantastic platform to showcase the coatings industry and inspire the next generation. I highly recommend other members get involved in future events!”
As well as attending careers events, we recognise the importance of utilising our online platforms to enhance our careers presence and reach our target audiences digitally. We are doing a revamp to our Coatings Careers Hub, our dedicated careers platform that will showcase our sectors. A place to demonstrate industry success stories, job profiles and day-to-day life in our member companies, the Hub gives an insight into the wide variety of roles that we as an industry have to offer.
We were invited by INX International at the end of November to visit their site in Greater Manchester to do some filming and are so pleased with the content captured, so a big thank you to Helen Anderton Co-Chair of our Coatings NextGen Council and the team at INX for getting involved with our careers initiatives!
If you want to know how you can get involved with ‘Coat your future’ please get in touch with Leah via email at leah.elvin@bcf.co.uk.
08:30 Registration
09:30 BCF welcome
Our careers strategy is centred on four key pillars that aim to strengthen the coatings industry’s talent pipeline.
Session 1: Net Zero strategy and policy
Enhancing Industry Visibility and Appeal
09:45 ‘Sustainable politics: climate change and environmental policy in the UK’
10:10 ‘The next steps for the hydrogen industry in the UK’
10:35 Exhibitor presentations
Addressing the perception of the coatings industry as a “Cinderella sector” by delivering targeted messaging that highlights its unique value and potential. A unified careers brand has been developed to emphasise the industry’s innovation, global reach, and contributions to sustainability and equity, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I). This will help position the sector as an attractive and forwardthinking career choice.
10:45 Refreshment break, networking and exhibition
Education and Outreach
A focus on building stronger connections with universities and academic institutions is paramount. This includes providing professional development for lecturers, assisting with curriculum design, and refining ambassador training to engage university students effectively. These efforts will ensure academic programs are better aligned with industry needs. Campaigns will raise awareness about career pathways, supporting students from GCSE to universitylevel chemistry. A key goal is to attend at least 50 careers events in 2025, with the support of Coatings Ambassadors and the Coatings NextGen Council.
Training and Retention Initiatives
Aiming to enhance professional development across the sector. Resources will be created to support SMEs in offering comprehensive training and retention strategies, while leadership development programs will target emerging talent. Lifelong learning will be encouraged through upskilling and tailored certifications, ensuring professionals can meet the evolving demands of the sector.
Promoting Sustainability and Innovation
Highlighting the coatings industry’s critical role in delivering sustainable solutions and driving innovation. Case studies will showcase breakthroughs in areas such as green chemistry, sustainable coatings, and AI-driven technologies. Partnerships with research institutions will be established to foster sustainability-focused R&D and create opportunities for students to engage in innovative projects. Training programs will embed sustainability principles across all career pathways, ensuring new talent is equipped to contribute to the industry's long-term goals. Our comprehensive strategy aims to position the coatings industry as a dynamic and impactful sector, capable of attracting, developing, and retaining top talent while driving innovation and sustainability forward.
Session 3: Reducing scope 3 downstream emissions from formal programme
14TH
MARCH 2025
THE SLATE, UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK SPONSORED BY
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Road to Net Zero: Working with the paints, coatings, printing ink and wallcoverings industries’ downstream users to reduce scope 3 carbon emissions.
On Friday 14th March 2025, the BCF are hosting our second ‘Road to Net Zero’ Seminar at the University of Warwick.
This event will delve into the critical issue of Scope 3 carbon emissions, which account for a significant portion of a company’s overall carbon footprint. We’ll explore strategies and best practices to reduce these emissions across the entire supply chain.
Our engaging line-up of speakers will cover a range of topics, in keynote presentations and panel discussions.
Net Zero Strategy and Policy: Get updated on the latest government initiatives and developments on renewable energy sources for industry.
Downstream Decarbonisation: Learn from industry experts about what’s being done in the automotive sector, printing industry and wider supply chain in an effort to reduce scope 3 emissions.
Packaging EPR Panel: Hear from the Head of DEFRA’s Packaging EPR administrator and a supply chain panel about creating more circular solutions to help reduce the downstream emissions from packaging.
Don’t miss this opportunity to:
• Network with industry leaders and peers.
• Gain valuable insights from expert speakers.
• Contribute to a more sustainable future.
PROGRAMME
08:30 Registration
09:30 BCF welcome
Session 1: Net Zero strategy and policy
09:45 ‘Sustainable politics: climate change and environmental policy in the UK’
10:10 ‘The next steps for the hydrogen industry in the UK’
10:35 Exhibitor presentations
10:45 Refreshment break, networking and exhibition
Session 2: Downstream decarbonisation journey
11:20 JLR
‘Reducing scope 3 downstream emissions in the automotive sector: a manufacturing perspective’
11:45 Steer Automotive
‘Reducing scope 3 downstream emissions in the automotive sector: vehicle refinish’
Session 3: Reducing scope 3 downstream emissions from packaging
14:00 Defra
‘The role of packaging EPR in creating a circular economy’
14:15 Panel discussion: Reducing scope 3 downstream emissions from packaging
Chair of BCF Sustainability Committee
Defra
British Plastics Federation (BPF)
Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association (MPMA)
Berry Superfos
15:00 BCF closing remarks
15:15 Close of formal programme and networking
If you have any queries, please contact Lorraine Beard at lorraine.beard@bcf.co.uk.
VENUE
The Slate is BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rated for sustainable design, construction and operation. Based in the heart of the UK and easily accessible from across the country, and the world, The Slate is in the heart of the University of Warwick campus, just on the outskirts of Coventry.
It has become common to see the term ‘eco paints’ in the marketing of many new entrant paints to the UK market, but what does this term really mean? Is there such a thing as an ‘eco paint’ and how does it differ from a conventional paint? What should consumers be considering when weighing up the various environmental claims from paint brands?
View our webpage on ‘Demystifying Eco Paints’:
View our video here:
Green Claims Guide for Decorative Paints
In an ever more competitive marketplace, the makers of decorative paints often rely on unique selling points to make their products stand out. Our guide looks at debunking and fact checking some of these claims.
View our Green claims guide here:
BCF Events 2025
To
and
Road to Net Zero seminar
The Slate, University of Warwick
The latest BCF Net Zero seminar to support the UK coatings industry’s journey to Net Zero by 2050.
BCF Annual Conference and Industry dinner
Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth
The BCF Annual Conference brings together industry experts to speak on key issues affecting the sector.
BCF Charity Cycle
BCF offices, Coventry
The fifth BCF Charity Cycle: Ride Warwickshire, raising money and awareness for defibrillator charity The Community Heartbeat Trust.
BCF Awards
Carden Park Hotel, Chester
The annual BCF Awards, which celebrates excellence and recognises innovation in the UK coatings industry.
UK coatings sector celebrates excellence at the 2024 BCF Awards
The winners of the 2024 British Coatings Federation (BCF) Awards were announced on 6th November at The Milner Hotel in York. Over 180 delegates came together at the event to celebrate the industry’s outstanding achievements.
Individuals across all sectors of the industry were recognised for their talent and accomplishments in three dedicated categories: Apprentice of the
Year Award, won by Elliott Taylor from AkzoNobel; Young Leader of the Year Award, won by Catherine Friar from Hexigone Inhibitors and Student of the Year Award, which saw Catherine Gibson from PPG Architectural Coatings UK&I win. The celebration of emerging talent in the sector underpins the BCF’s work with their Coatings NextGen Council, a dedicated group committed to promoting awareness of careers opportunities and
development within the coatings industry.
Recognising investment in people, PPG Architectural Coatings UK&I were awarded the Diversity and Inclusion Award, followed by AkzoNobel being presented as the winner of the Excellence in Training Award.
The Sustainable Innovation Multinational Award was won by Sun Chemical for AquaHeat Inks, and the Sustainable Innovation SME Award was presented to Belzona for SF6-FIX. The second Race to Net Zero award had joint winners Crown Paints in the Multinational category and Anstey Wallpaper Company for SME. This follows the award’s launch in 2023 to coincide with the launch of BCF’s Net Zero Roadmap.
The sustainability theme carried on through the evening with the Coatings Care Progress Award was given to winning site Steyport in Blackburn, and Overall Best Performer was awarded to AkzoNobel Decorative Paints in Ashington. This year’s Corporate Social Responsibility Award was
split into two categories, won by decorative paint reuse schemes Community RePaint (sponsored by AkzoNobel) in the Multinational category and social enterprise Seagulls Reuse for SME.
The Customer Service Award was also split, presented to Crown Paints for Multinational and Thermaset for SME. For Marketing Campaign of the Year, it was Valspar’s ‘V&ME’ campaign that took home the award for Sherwin-Williams.
BCF President, Sharon Harte, Managing Director of Dacrylate Paints, commented: “It is so exciting to see so much young talent in our sector, demonstrated in our Student, Apprentice and Young Leader of the Year categories. Many congratulations to all those who were shortlisted, but especially to the winners”.
The BCF would like to thank our Award sponsors, Stort Group, BASF, Verlingue, Synthomer, Xyntra, Fenton Packaging, Tronox, BioCote and Lisam for their support.
SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION: MULTINATIONAL AWARD
This Award recognises and celebrates commitment to the BCF Sustainability Policy through the launch of innovative sustainable products, processes or services.
Sponsored by:
The judges chose this waterborne low VOC product that significantly improves food packaging recycling.
Furthermore, this product has been subjected to cradle-to-gate life-cycle analysis, which has been third-party validated, and found to be 18 - 20% lower in carbon footprint than solvent-borne alternatives.
AQUAHEAT INKS
SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION: SME AWARD
Sponsored by:
SF6-FIX
SF6-FIX solves a problem with enormous greenhouse gas reduction impact. The product has minimal VOCs and it can be applied with minimal downtime, to reduce leaks to undetectable levels; it provides excellent durable corrosion protection, and it can easily be removed for access to joints.
This product uses ground olive stones to reduce agricultural waste and provides a sustainable alternative to mineral fillers extracted from the earth; and the use of bio-based polymers and additives results in a product with an impressive bio-based content.
RACE TO NET ZERO: MULTINATIONAL AWARD
The Race to Net Zero Award recognises applicants’ own contributions to achieving the coating industry’s overall pledge to reaching Net Zero by 2050, which was judged principally by the reduction demonstrated, or the projected reduction, of emissions (scope 1, 2 and 3) which are defined by the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol using data that is no older than 2018, due to the implementation of company policies, new standards, best practice and sustainable initiatives.
MAKING SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING POSSIBLE
Crown Paints have clear targets, with a well-defined plan to achieve them and this has been backed up by significant investment. They are well on track to achieve a 90% reduction of CO2 emissions in their own operations by 2026, and 50% from their entire supply chain by 2030.
RACE TO NET ZERO: SME AWARD
Anstey Wallpaper Company implemented a plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 and they are on track to achieving this as they implement their plan. Their achievements have all been externally verified. Implementation of their plan has involved significant investment in new equipment and is powered by electricity from sustainable sources.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: MULTINATIONAL AWARD
The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award is given to a BCF member company which has clearly demonstrated an outstanding and successful charity or CSR campaign across any aspect of social responsibility.
Community RePaint and Dulux have created an industry trailblazer developing into a consistent programme which, over 30 years, has enabled 5.4 million+ litres of paint to be reused. Addressing critical waste and reuse issues, and providing volunteer, work experience and full-time employment in deprived areas.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
PROJECT POSSIBLE
Crown Paints continue to develop Project Possible into a robust CSR programme delivering wide benefits including; Charitable paint donations, the continued support of fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Society and supporting numerous other initiatives.
Seagulls Reuse is a successful paint recovery programme that has for 20 years provided opportunities for individuals with challenging backgrounds, those living with mental health issues, and young people with learning disabilities, into the workplace. The Directors are recognised for their commitment in delivering a waste paint disposal solution through a sustainable social enterprise within the very limited resources available to them.
COATINGS CARE PROGRESS AWARD
Participants of the Coatings Care programme demonstrate a commitment to creating a safer, more sustainable and efficient industry. Two awards are presented to recognise those in the programme.
The Coatings Care Progress Award is presented to the company that has made the most significant year on year improvement in its performance on the same health, safety and environmental criteria as our Coatings Care Overall Best Performer Award.
Steyport significantly reduced energy use on-site to better than the sector-wide average, improved waste recycling rates and reduced solvents used in production to lower VOC emissions compared to the previous year.
COATINGS CARE OVERALL BEST PERFORMER AWARD
Sponsored by:
The Coatings Care Overall Best Performer Award is presented to the company that has demonstrated best in class performance across a range of key performance indicators, including VOC emissions, energy consumption, waste and recycling, and accident and incident statistics.
DECORATIVE PAINTS, ASHINGTON
In the last year, the AkzoNobel Decorative Paints
Ashington site had waste production below average for the sector and was significantly improved on the previous year. Recycling levels for waste were above average and significantly improved compared to the previous year. Solvents purchased and VOC emissions were lower than average and improved year-on-year. Externally certified controls for quality, health and safety and environmental processes were in place and the site was free from accidents in 2023.
CUSTOMER SERVICE: MULTINATIONAL AWARD
BCF’s Customer Service Award recognises the growing importance of customer service as a differentiator in the paints, coatings, inks and wallcovering industries.
Sponsored by:
CUSTOMER CARE TEAM
The judge commented that Crown Paints did so well across a mix of areas. Their story shows yearon-year learning and improvement, combined with strong evidence from their customers and of integrated teams and systems working well across the business.
CUSTOMER SERVICE: SME AWARD
THE THERMASET WAY40 YEARS IN THE MAKING
Thermaset was chosen by our judge for being able to demonstrate efficiencies within their business at the same time as improving the customer experience. This is the holy grail of customer service and they’ve - quite rightly - used this as a point of differentiation in the market. This has come from an ongoing plan for continuous improvement, which only gets harder every year - well done to them!
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AWARD
The Diversity and Inclusion Award is awarded to a BCF member company that best demonstrates an effective programme across a broad range of diversity and inclusion elements.
Sponsored by:
PPG Architectural Coatings provided the best overall presentation of their ED&I programme encompassing the breadth, depth and results of their activities.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
AkzoNobel were commended for the depth of their initiatives focussing on gender equity and inclusion and the positive impact that these were making within the organisation.
EXCELLENCE IN TRAINING AWARD
The BCF Excellence in Training Award is presented for a company initiative rather than individual (which is recognised through the Student of the Year Award). Now in its sixth year, entries for both BCF training and non BCF initiatives will be considered.
Sponsored by:
FUTURE READY WORKFORCE INTIATIVE
The judges commented that AkzoNobel has an extremely well-developed approach to training and competence, which is strategically embedded from the site vision downwards. From the hiring of new employees based on their great cultural fit the programme that has been developed by the team is innovative, highly structured, and closely monitored and yet is very personal to each staff member with individual development pathways. It adapts with ease to the businesses needs and priorities, and the team have successfully built bespoke learning plans and content into the full range of technical, managerial, and manufacturing apprenticeships being completed. Ownership of both targets and outcomes are rooted in the change and developments agreed and shared fully by all who are engaged in the programme.
MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR AWARD
This Award is given to a BCF member company that has produced and delivered an innovative and effective marketing campaign that clearly meets organisational goals. The judges are looking for a measurable campaign that has demonstratable impact on the target audience.
The judges commented that SherwinWilliams executed a fully integrated marketing campaign, product, colour, and communication based on very good consumer insight. They had a challenging objective to enter a new market with outstanding comms and sales results. The use of stunning relevant photography and highly relevant influencers to establish the brand’s credentials showed innovation in this space.
STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by:
This award, for our Coatings Training Institute (CTI) students, is decided by our industry-respected tutors. It represents the students that have achieved the best grades in our CTI modules. For more information on the CTI courses that we have available, please see our website: www.thecoatingsinstitute.com.
Catherine won for consistently submitting good quality work throughout her studies with CTI. She has shown progression and quality in her submissions which have achieved excellent marks in the end test examinations.
Isla was commended for making a great start to studying her CTI modules. She has submitted exceptional quality work for her assignment and achieved success, which shows great promise as they progress through her remaining modules.
ISLA TAYLOR, HMG PAINTS
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by:
Apprentice of the Year is awarded to an apprentice currently employed at a BCF member company who best demonstrates how they’ve used their apprenticeship to achieve great personal and professional development.
The judges commented that from problem solving, new product development, research, monitoring, and performance review, building relationships with customers, supporting specialist sales and making links with the wider support services teams who are responsible for the operations of the business, Elliott has taken everything in his stride. They have risen to and exceeded personal and professional expectations and as a result is a credit to himself, his line manager and the wider business.
ELLIOTT TAYLOR, AKZONOBEL INDUSTRIAL COATINGS
YOUNG LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by:
Now in its seventh year, the BCF’s Young Leader of the Year Award recognises an exceptional individual under the age of 35 working within a BCF member company who has proved to be an effective, innovative and impactful leader.
DR CATHERINE FRIAR, HEXIGONE INHIBITORS
Catherine won for demonstrating exceptional leadership and her innovation has increased global sales by 300% in just under two years, after implementing a new global sales strategy which streamlined workflow, improved sales tracking and resource allocation. She has a proven record of overcoming challenges and driving growth and problem solving. Her visionary thinking and inclusive leadership style not only fosters cooperation but also propels the business forward on a global scale, uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds towards a common goal.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
SMITH, CROWN PAINTS
Robyn was commended for empowering her team to consistently provide great service, bring a positive mindset into the workplace and deliver fantastic results for customers, and the business.
ROBYN
2024 BCF YOUNG LEADER OF THE YEAR
We caught up the latest recipient of BCF’s Young Leader of the Year Award, Dr Catherine Friar, Business Development Manager at Hexigone Inhibitors, to find out more about her role and how she felt winning the award.
Tell us about the role you have at Hexigone I am passionate about my role as Business Development Manager at Hexigone. Working for a scale-up company involves working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, where the entire team is focused on introducing innovative technology to the global market. Working on a global scale has developed my professional confidence. Hexigone collaborates with a wide range of customers, from major Tier 1 companies to local paint manufacturers across the globe. Over the past two years, I’ve not only contributed to shaping the company’s business strategy, but I also take great pride in nurturing the strong relationships we’ve built with our customers.
Explain your background and how your career has progressed so far
I achieved my degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Swansea University, where I also completed my Engineering Doctorate. During my Doctorate I worked with TATA Steel and Beckers studying the failure of naturally degraded coatings, and how differing environments impact the breakdown mechanism. From here I worked as a Project Engineer, working directly with customers on bespoke designs for different industries. When the Business Development Manager position became available at Hexigone, the opportunity to combine my technical expertise in the coatings industry with my commercial experience was too exciting to pass up.
How would you describe your leadership style?
At Hexigone, collaboration and communication are essential to ensuring each department can contribute effectively. I adopt a relaxed, coaching leadership style to foster confidence, empowering team members to share their ideas and take ownership of their work. This approach promotes professional development, as support is always available when needed. Our culture is built on trust, where team members are knowledgeable about their roles and departments, with the understanding that assistance is readily available whenever required.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome to date?
Whilst I was midway through doing my Engineering Doctorate I suffered from Imposter Syndrome. As women, we often put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be perfect and the best, leading to a persistent feeling of inadequacy. Without overcoming this feeling and implementing coping strategies, I would not have developed to where I am today. I sought mentorship, which helped me recognise that many people experience similar feelings. I also learned into new opportunities to build confidence. Over time, I’ve learned to quiet that inner voice of doubt and focus instead on continuous growth. It is a reminder to approach both myself, and others with encouragement.
What is your biggest career achievement to date?
My biggest achievement to date has been implementing a new sales process and strategy that has driven growth and increased market adoption of our innovative, sustainable, technology. This was made possible by building strong industry relationships with key stakeholders, which have contributed to our success. This strategy has allowed us to deliver real value to customers.
How did it feel to be nominated by your colleagues and to then win the BCF Young Leader of the Year Award in November? I was both shocked and humbled to be nominated by my colleagues for the BCF Young Leader Award. It truly meant a lot to me that my colleagues recognised the impact I’ve had in the workplace. I thoroughly enjoy my work and always do my best to support my colleagues, nurturing, inspiring, and empowering my team. It’s rewarding to see my hard work and dedication recognised. Winning this award has inspired me to continue growing, supporting my colleagues, and making a positive impact in our industry.
What are your aspirations for your future career in the industry?
My aspirations in the coatings industry are to continue contributing to innovation and sustainability in the sector. I’m passionate about driving new technologies into the market that not only improve product performance but also align with the industry’s commitment to environmental responsibility. I hope to take on roles that allow me to lead transformative projects, mentor others, and help shape the next generation of talent in the coatings field. Collaboration and knowledgesharing are vital to the industry’s success, and I aim to be a part of fostering connections to help bring about change.
Finally, what advice would you give to other aspiring young leaders in the sector?
My advice to other aspiring young leaders in the coatings sector is to embrace a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability. This is a dynamic industry that constantly evolves, so staying curious and proactive about new trends, technologies, and sustainability initiatives is key. Focus on building strong relationships—collaboration and trust are the foundation of great leadership. Seek out mentors, listen to your team, and never underestimate the value of diverse perspectives. Always bring your authentic, approachable, and committed self to help lift others up.
Don’t be afraid to take on challenges or step out of your comfort zone. Leadership is often about navigating uncertainty with confidence and resilience. Mistakes and setbacks are opportunities to grow, so view them as learning moments rather than obstacles.
Tom Bowtell wins prestigious award for outstanding leadership
Tom Bowtell, Chief Executive Officer of the BCF, was awarded the highly contested CEO Leadership Award at the 2024 Memcom Excellence Awards in London on 27th September. The award is given to a CEO who, in the opinion of the judges, ‘has delivered outstanding leadership and has shown how their organisation has advanced under their leadership.’ The award is recognised as ‘one of the most prestigious awards for an individual within the membership sector’. Tom’s success follows BCF winning the Best Trade Association Award at last year’s Memcom Excellence Awards.
Since taking over as CEO of the BCF in 2012, Tom has had a major impact on the organisation, initiating changes and improvements for the benefit of the UK coatings sector. In the 12 years of his tenure to date, he has driven leadership within the industry, delivered outstanding service for the members, and created a friendly, collaborative team atmosphere for employees to thrive in. Tom’s influence on financial planning and management has created a solid base from which new initiatives for the benefit of the members can be launched. This has substantially increased BCF’s membership as a result, leading to membership retention levels of 96% in 2023 and, significantly, 100% in 2022, the period on the back of Covid-19 and Brexit. This financial position has also allowed BCF to increase campaigning efforts, most recently through the Essential Coatings campaign, which is contributing to building awareness of the sector with Government and gives coatings better representation when tackling key issues within the chemical supply chain.
Tom has also been the key driver in shaping a more forward-thinking approach for the sector, most notably in the areas of sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and in engagement with the next generation of leaders in the industry. This progress can be measured, in part, through the launch of BCF’s Net Zero Roadmap in 2023, and the launch in 2024 of an industry Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Charter, together with the creation of a Coatings NextGen Council. Through these and other ongoing initiatives, Tom has worked with the membership to ensure the coatings sector is pursuing a progressive outlook for the future.
Tom is a recognisable figure not only in the UK coatings industry but also throughout the supply chain. He is the current chair of the Alliance of Chemical Associations (ACA) in the UK; a member of the CEPE Operational Board at a European level; and is in his second consecutive term as President of the World Coatings Council.
In addition to Tom’s win, the BCF was also ‘Highly Commended’ for the Memcom ‘Sustainability Award’ at the event, recognising the efforts of the organisation on its Road to Net Zero publication, leading the way on the industry-wide commitment to reaching Net Zero by 2050 and supporting its members on the journey. They were also shortlisted for awards for ‘Best Use of Video’ and ‘Team of the Year.’
Tom said of his commendation:
‘I’m really honoured to have won the Memcom CEO Leadership award. Thanks to the wonderful team at the BCF for nominating me - the art of good leadership is to surround yourself with very talented people who make you look good! The award is a recognition of that wider teamwork and the success we have had as a group working to deliver for BCF’s members. That was why I was so pleased we were also shortlisted for Team of the Year.
‘At the end of the day, we are a membership organisation and everything we do must be focussed on the membership and their needs. That forms the basis of our approach at BCF and, together with genuine, honest, and meaningful collaboration with members themselves, has helped lead to significant success and progress in recent years.’
The judges commented:
‘Tom is a worthy winner, showing a breadth of competence across all areas. His approach to finance and governance has left the BCF financially secure but this ‘quiet revolution’ was not just about processes but about creating a sound base for the delivery of more benefits to members. The BCF's retention rates and membership satisfaction are a testament to the success of his approach. After 12 years as CEO Tom is still leading and inspiring his team and innovating for the future.’
MEET THE TEAM
At the end of October, Zoe Slade joined the team as BCF's new Sustainability Manager, who some of you will have also met at the BCF Awards last month. Zoe will continue the fantastic start Patricia Durany-Fernandez made with the member support towards the industry's target of Net Zero by 2050, and taking the lead on our sustainability initiatives.
ZOE SLADE, BCF SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER
When and why did you join the BCF?
I joined the BCF back in October. I came to sustainability early in my career, initially focusing on supporting households to use less energy, then technology innovation and product development and finally looking at the role sustainability could play in increasing value of industrial customers propositions. For me, it’s about trying to leave the world in a better place than I found it, and by supporting other organisations to do the same, helps amplify my impact.
The BCF was attractive on this front because our members have already taken steps to understand and reduce their impact on the environment, both locally and through initiatives like Coatings Care, but there’s plenty of big challenges ahead for me to support them on. I’m also looking forward to sharing the positive role that coatings play in reducing environmental impacts.
What are your responsibilities?
My days are really varied which I love and overall my role is to support our members to help them define and deliver their Net Zero commitments. This takes on many different forms from helping shape regulations, representing members views to key stakeholders, and keeping them up to date on the latest developments through updates or webinars. I also collate industry level reporting such as the VOC emissions data and Coatings Care, and I’ll be getting involved with PaintCare too. These elements will all come together when we publish an updated Roadmap to Net Zero in late 2025. We’ve got our Net Zero seminar to look forward to in the meantime and I hope to see lots of you there!
For me, the most enjoyable aspect is getting out and meeting our members, seeing their processes and applications and understanding their specific needs when it comes to sustainability. It really helps provide me with the wider context for doing all of the above and it’s great to see firsthand the great work that’s being delivered by our industry.
What do you see as the biggest challenges in 2025 for the members?
The legislative landscape remains a huge challenge for members, and we’ll see the Extended Producer Responsibility come into play which will have a reporting and financial impact on affected organisations.
As an industry, getting to grips with Scope 3 emissions (upstream activities such as supply of raw materials or packaging, and downstream activities such as consumer use, approximately 80% of supplier emissions) will be key. We’ll need to work across the supply chain to report and then look at what can be done to reduce it, so this will be a key focus over the next few years.
Outside of work, what are the most interesting things you’d like to share with BCF members?
Whilst I’m no runner, I have walked several marathon distances including two on two consecutive days across the Sahara raising over £2,000 for charity.
As many of you will know, BCF's former Head of Membership Ali Brown retired at the end of September, and I'm pleased to say that we have now appointed her successor. Our members who attended the BCF Awards in November will have met Matt Peters, our new Head of Membership. He has now officially stepped into the role and members will be hearing from him in the coming weeks.
MATTHEW PETERS, BCF HEAD OF MEMBERSHIP
When and why did you join the BCF?
I joined the BCF on 26th November 2024 having previously worked in the coatings industry for nearly two decades up until 2012. Since then, I’ve held a number of senior management roles in the construction industry enabling me to experience different market sectors whilst maintaining some connection with coatings, including occasionally selling them!
A few months ago, I saw the Head of Membership position advertised by the BCF, forwarded my CV and was fortunate enough to be offered the role. I believe this opportunity in a membership organisation will allow me to use my existing skills and experience in a new, different and interesting environment compared to that offered by my previous manufacturer and distributor company roles. In short, I’m hoping to add significant value to the work of the BCF whilst enjoying another extended stay in the coatings industry. It’s good to be back!
What are your responsibilities?
As Head of Membership, my main responsibility is to represent the voice of the membership internally within the BCF. As a membership organisation, we need to maintain our near full saturation of the UK coatings industry in membership (currently 95% of the industry) and that the BCF continues to represent all of its members collectively as appropriately as possible.
My role will be to continue to ensure high levels of satisfaction amongst the membership whilst looking for ways to optimise revenue and increase membership still further – a fine blend of commercial development and customer/member experience management which aligns well with my previous experience.
What do you see as the biggest challenges in 2025 for the members?
As a young Marketing Manager working in the industry over 25 years ago, I recall a significant amount of time and effort being expended managing the impact of the prevailing economic conditions together with the implementation of REACH – so some of the current challenges facing members seem very familiar indeed.
Throwing into the mix ever-developing governance and environmental responsibilities, plus the perennial difficulty in attracting new talent into what is often construed as a less attractive or glamorous industry, compounds the ongoing challenges faced by our members.
Fortunately, BCF members have the support of an experienced and dedicated team running numerous initiatives that will help members navigate some of the biggest challenges we will collectively face in 2025. In addition, continued member participation in BCF sustainability, lobbying and employment programmes will assist the BCF in its objective to support members through their challenges by raising the profile of the industry still further.
If individual members are facing challenges not yet on the BCFs agenda and with which they believe the BCF is well placed to assist – please do contact me to discuss: matthew.peters@bcf.co.uk.
Outside of work, what are the most interesting things you’d like to share with BCF members?
I’m not sure that I do anything outside of work that BCF members might find that interesting, but here goes…
In the past I’ve trained as a classical musician, had a bit of a passion for motorcycling, worked overseas for a decade, and done a fair amount of scuba diving.
These days, however, I’m a Huddersfield Town season ticket holder which can be both rewarding and incredibly frustrating (but generally the latter and not often fascinating!). I also spend too much time gardening and undertaking general DIY tasks, thankfully without too many catastrophic results!
Having previously lived in Johannesburg, Budapest and Prague, home is currently Holmfirth in West Yorkshire, which for those old enough to remember the TV programme is ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ country. There’s plenty on the doorstep to keep us occupied when we’re not walking the dog around the local countryside or generally enjoying the slightly quieter lifestyle. There’s an excellent live music venue to distract us and thankfully Holmfirth is also convenient for a number of local airports as and when the travel bug bites.
Most interesting thing to share? Whilst living in Johannesburg some friends invited us to join them for dinner with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. That was a bit of a high point.
Obituary - Ray Calladine
In the words of his partner, Irantzu Bustinza Ruiz de Aguirre
Ray Calladine BSc CChem FRSC FCILT, so many post-nominals for someone who would just introduce himself as Ray. He passed away in a sudden way on the 8th March at the end of a work day, as it couldn’t be otherwise, after he had packed things to go back home. Many spoke to him that day and received emails.
He was brought up in South Normanton and there are many words to describe that period: scout, paperboy, veg seller at the market, athlete, rugby player. He became a keen gardener at a later stage with a love for fuchsias and was until his death an eager reader of history. When it came to decide on university, UMIST was the choice over Oxford. He always spoke very fondly about that time in his life as he did about two other periods due to their impact on his professional achievements.
After graduating in Chemical Physics at UMIST he worked briefly at Davis Derby where his interest on corrosion as a phenomenon started. The inquisitive mind would never forget about it and would then start a journey to provide the industry with non-toxic and financially viable solutions to the problem. After Davis Derby, he went to Mebon and Croda where he was able to interact with people knowledgeable in their own areas - without any doubt those years left an imprint on him. From Croda, he went to work in Whyte Chemicals and those were very intense years for many reasons but there he also met some friends he has kept since. After those years in London, he devoted his efforts to Sensopolis, his project since 2002 and properly active in the market since 2007. Then, between 2010 and 2020 he lived and worked in the Middle East for Nama Chemicals, an epoxy producer from Saudi Arabia. Back in the UK since 2020, he went back to Sensopolis, which his partner had been running during his time abroad and from where he tried to help their customers to get better end products. Always realistic about his own mortality he left things ready for the day he wouldn’t be there and the succession at Sensopolis was carefully planned back in 2018.
Highly regarded by colleagues, customers, suppliers and competitors all over the world, Ray was a paint chemist, a generous scientist always ready to share his knowledge with passion, a team builder, and a very forgiving, resilient, supportive and generous individual who would always encourage people to achieve their potential. He was a dreamer in the quest for his dream to come true and would put all his efforts into it. He could also be grumpy and very demanding, but he would never ask anyone to make any sacrifice he wouldn’t do himself. “Warm and fluffy” was his answer when being asked how he was. The industry has lost a source of very broad knowledge, someone extremely difficult to replace and who will not be forgotten. He is sorely missed.
New members
If you would like to find out more about the opportunities available to our members, and the support we provide, please contact Belle Lake at belle.lake@bcf.co.uk.
Associate members
HELM AG
HELM is a Hamburg, Germany, based company established in 1900 with over 100 subsidiaries in more than 30 countries.
The global set up makes HELM one of the largest independent chemical companies worldwide. HELM is active in chemicals, energy materials, agriculture as well as pharmaceuticals. In the field of coatings HELM sells products like Styrene Monomer, Vinyl Acetate Monomer and Titanium Dioxide and strives to grow its offerings to best support the sector.
www.helmgreatbritain.com
Repair Care International
Repair Care are providers of innovative solutions for sustainable timber restoration and maintenance. Not only do we have a wide range of quality products for joinery repair for the professional market, we offer training on how to use them to refurbish decayed and damaged timber. In addition, we provide comprehensive project management, offer advice and consultation services and are a trusted partner of many housing associations and local authorities.
www.repair-care.co.uk
Alberdingk UK
Alberdingk Boley, an independent global company with over 250 years of history, excels in creating environmentally friendly binders. Product ranges includes acrylic & styrene-acrylic dispersions, PUD’s, Polyols and Oils. The company prioritises innovation, offering a wide range of technologies, and remains committed to sustainability by integrating environmental awareness into the innovation process. Strong customer connections are maintained through a network of technical salespeople and distributors.
Alberdingk UK Ltd offers local connection and UK stock for class-leading service performance.
www.alberdingk-boley.de
Upcoming events and meetings
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BCF SURVEY ON THE USE OF ANTIFOULING PAINTS
Do you use antifouling paints? Can you help secure their continued use by completing a short survey?
While antifouling does a great job of keeping hulls clean and has environmental benefits such as improving fuel efficiency and preventing the spread of invasive non-native species. Most antifouling paints used contain active biocidal substances. The paint leaches biocides and prevents the hull from being fouled by different organisms. The biocides are regulated under the Biocidal Product Regulation (BPR) and are required to pass both an environmental risk assessment and a human health risk assessment. An important part of this approval process is the assessment of risk to human health and the environment from the paints themselves, and the correct procedures that should be followed by boat owners when applying them.
There has been a long tradition for boat owners to paint their own vessels, the British Coatings Federation (BCF) ran a survey in 2015 to determine the extent at which users of antifouling paint protect themselves through the use of personal protective equipment. There was an excellent response to the survey. Following the survey, the BCF, the RYA, British Marine and The Yacht Harbour Association have produced a number of leaflets to promote best practice when using antifouling paints. Including:
• the “Protect, Collect & Dispose” initiative which focussed on environmental best practice when antifouling yachts and boats;
• the “Controlling Antifouling Washings from Shipyards” leaflet which focusses on best practice to prevent release of antifouling paints to the environment; and
• “DIY application of antifouling paints” which contains guidance and best practice on application of antifouling paints.
However, due to the hazardous nature of the paints they are coming under increasing regulatory scrutiny and there is concern that the authorities may decide to restrict the application and use of antifouling to strictly professional applicators due to concerns over their hazards.
Ensuring the safe use of antifouling paints in a DIY/ boat owner scenario continues to be a major focus for antifouling paint manufacturers, the manufacturers are keen to understand the existing awareness of the hazards of antifouling paint, as well as the use of personal protective equipment and measures taken to prevent release of the paint during application and use. As such users of antifouling paints are requested to complete a short survey.
BOAT OWNERS: THE SURVEY IS OPEN UNTIL 31ST MARCH 2025
PROFESSIONAL APPLICATORS OF ANTIFOULING PAINTS:
BOATYARD OWNERS/ MANAGERS: CHANDLERS:
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Easily accessible via M6, M69 & A46
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Unlimited tea, coffee, squash and biscuits can be ordered at a rate of £5.50* per head. Catering can be ordered at a rate of £11.50* per head.
As part of our meeting room hire, you will gain access to our modern, comfortable member’s lounge. Our spacious hub is a perfect location for networking and taking in the day’s events. Catering is also available upon request and, perhaps most importantly, a bean-to-cup coffee machine.
*Subject to change.
The Silver Room
The Silver Room is the largest meeting room the BCF has to offer. Room capacity is 26, boardroom style. State-of-the-art video conferencing are also available.
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The Magenta Room
The Magenta Room is the second largest meeting room at Spectra House. Room capacity is 12, boardroom style. Video conferencing are also available.
Daily Rates
The Morris Room
The Morris room is the smallest meeting room at Spectra House. Maximum room capacity is 6, boardroom style. Video conferencing are also available. Disabled access and toilet available.
