MARKET CLOSE UP
Ethics and Sustainability Remain Key to the Future of the Coating Industry Interview with Giovanni Marsili Vice President of Assovernici, the Italian Association of Coating Manufacturers
Š Assovernici
2020 has been a particularly intense year for all markets: how has the coatings industry fared during this period, and with what outlook? Our industry has been able to adapt promptly to the needs that have suddenly arisen in all markets following the pandemic, while wisely applying the series of the urgent decrees issued by the Government. As regards the construction sector, based on the nature of their economic activity, producers and distributors were allowed to remain active and, in many cases, from April to July they witnessed a strong increase in sales to private customers: the sales of
Giovanni Marsili.
A
products related to do-it-yourself activities, such as enamels and impregnating agents,
fter a fluctuating 2020, full of
have increased significantly, as have online
unexpected events and unpredictability,
sales. As a result of this major change in
the coatings industry is preparing to
their sales mix, Assovernici, through its
face the new year with renewed momentum,
continued statistical panel available to
starting from two elements that are becoming
members, has recorded positive year-end
more and more crucial: sustainable
results in terms of revenue. The industrial
innovation and ethical business management.
sector, on the other hand, was heavily
This is what we can infer from the answers
affected by the lockdown and, despite a
that Giovanni Marsili, the Vice President of
positive trend in the second half of the year,
Assovernici (the Italian Association of Coating
closed on negative ground. COVID is still a
Manufacturers) and a board member of the
global health challenge, whose effects on
European Council of the Paint, Printing Ink,
socio-economic systems is largely uncertain.
and Artist’s Colours Industry (CEPE), gave us
Moreover, as in other sectors, the pandemic
in this interview. They illustrate the signs of an
has triggered processes of acceleration of
increasingly innovation-driven industry, but
changes already underway, such as new
also the premises for an even closer, more
ways of managing staff, suppliers, and
active collaboration among companies and
customers, but also the enhancement of
the associations that represent them.
digitalisation processes and an exponential
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N. 67 - JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 - international PAINT&COATING magazine