ZOOM ON EVENTS
Powder Coating Week 2022 The latest Powder Coating Week’s edition took place in Orlando (FL, United States) from 7 to 9 March 2022, and explored the most topical subjects of the powder coating industry.
P
C Week is Powder Coating Institute’s
Most presentations at the conference dealt
stability is possible if the material is limited
annual get-together and was held
with some aspect of how to manage a powder
to a maximum of 22°C. This has economic
in Orlando outside of the SeaWorld
coating finishing operation. Such riveting
ramifications on transport, storage and
complex at the Renaissance hotel. The week
topics as how to ground (earth) parts, spray
application conditions.
kicked off with a Custom Coater Forum
gun settings, installing a manual batch powder
Another interesting presentation was given
where job coaters assembled to hear experts
system, and preventative maintenance tips
by Bob Kelly of PPG. He provided a detailed
provide suggestions on how to get control
and tricks.
treatise on the performance of a FEVE
of your business, techniques to access your
A couple talks offered recent advancements
(fluoro-ethylene vinyl ether) based powder
government representatives, differentiating
in powder materials technology. Of note was
coating capable of meeting AAMA 2605 (10
your business, job scheduling techniques,
Cal Ezeagu’s (Allnex) talk on ultra-low bake
years Florida) requirements. This particular
and approaches to employee training.
powder breakthroughs. Ezeagu presented
chemistry not only exceeds this performance
Concurrently classes were held to teach the
thermosetting chemistry options for sub
criteria but also provides excellent transfer
basics of spraying and curing powder coatings.
150°C temperature cure. He explained the
efficiency with low volatiles of cure.
The conference portion had a diverse
pros and cons of using hybrid and polyester
PC Week also included a very well attended
array of speakers anchored by an insightful
(TGIC, HAA and PT-910 types) powders for
table-top exhibit featuring a vast array of
keynote by Chris Miller of Arkema. His theme
application to interior non-metallic substrates
powder coating producers, raw material
was “Sustainability in the Powder Coating
such as MDF and natural wood. Allnex’s
producers, and both application and
Industry”. The concept of sustainability can be
latest developments yield a hybrid (epoxy-
curing equipment engineers. It was a good
open to interpretation and Miller began his
polyester) system that provides excellent
opportunity to reconnect with industry
presentation with results of surveys Arkema
smoothness and chemical resistance at 130°C
colleagues that had been previously
had conducted with industry colleagues
cure temperature. He advocates the use of
constrained due to the pandemic.
regarding their understanding of sustainability.
gas catalytic infrared as the primary source
Not surprisingly the responses concluded that
of heating the coating. One big caveat was
“Sustainability is a major trend, consumers
added, however. The powder coating requires
For further information:
won’t pay for it and, (most importantly), no
rather careful handling. Physical powder
https://conference.powdercoating.org
one knows what it means.” I have been waiting for an honest assessment of this driving movement and the survey results did not lie. Nevertheless, Miller outlined how sustainability is a goal of corporate responsibility and defined it as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. He went on the break down the individual aspects of sustainability as: responsible sourcing, climate & environment, safety, diversity, community and innovation on sustainable products. He wrapped up the keynote with examples of how Arkema is tackling each one of these objectives. © PCI
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N. 74 - MARCH/APRIL 2022 - international PAINT&COATING magazine