february 2009
Despite the gloomy outlook for the UK and Ireland’s construction industry specification of Qualicoat approved powder coating is on the increase. At a recent members meeting opinion indicated that more customers and specifiers are now adding the ‘Qualicoat’ standard to their orders. Membership of the organisation is also on the increase with aluminium systems companies and independent powder coaters currently seeking coating plant approval - the first step in becoming a Qualicoat approved applicator.
‘Qualicoat UK and Ireland’ was formed in January 2001, following Qualicoat’s conception in Europe in 1986, and is hosted by Alfed (Aluminium Federation) in Birmingham. Qualicoat, whose organisation is based in Zurich, is an independent global standard whose sole purpose is to improve standards of materials and powder coat application. Qualicoat UK & Ireland are well represented in Europe on the Qualicoat technical committees and take an active role in developing new standards and methods of application of powder coat to ensure exceptional life expectancy.
In eight years the UK’s membership has risen to 24 members which includes applicators, pre-treatment suppliers, systems suppliers and a test institute.
Specification is a simple matter of adding ‘Powder Coating to be applied by an approved Qualicoat UK & Ireland licence holder’. This ensures the adoption of the very latest standards which exceed the current BS EN 12206-1:2204 ‘Paints and varnishes - Coating of aluminium alloys for architectural purposes’.
Current UK & Ireland news and information on architectural powder coating is frequently updated on the Qualicoat UK & Ireland website at www.qualicoatuki.org. Printed literature and telephone support is available from Qualicoat UK & Ireland Head Office in Birmingham on 0121 601 6746.
