‘Qualicoat Supporting Specifiers’

Qualicoat UK & Ireland’s first Technical Conference in the UK, was held on the 20th June at the National Metalforming Centre, Specifiers had the opportunity to listen to keynote speakers in the field of Architectural Powder Coating Technology.

The conference theme emphasised the benefits to customers of the QUALICOAT approved system, providing longer life and more sustainable finishes. This is underpinned by the approval process whereby each member’s products or processes must be – Tested, Approved, Licensed and critically, independently monitored – to obtain and maintain the QUALICOAT label.

Invited delegates included some of the major Facade Specialists in the UK as well as some of the major Aluminium Systems companies. Conference delegates met with members of Qualicoat UK and Ireland over a buffet lunch. After an introduction to Qualicoat UK & Ireland by Mo Panam, Qualicoat’s European President, the afternoons keynote speeches were introduced which covered the three main quality issues of Powder Formulation, Pretreatment and Application.

Chris Mansfield of Powder Manufacturer, Valspar, gave the conference an update as to where we are today with Powder Manufacturing Technology. As quality of finishes have improved over the last few years, testing has also become more stringent, providing high quality and durable finishes. For areas where even higher durability finishes are required, Chris introduced the Class 2 and Class 3 Powder Formulations which are now available.

Peter Proctor of Pre-treatment System Supplier, Chemetall, covered the importance of Aluminium Pretreatment before the powder coating of profiles, sheet and castings. Materials need to be consistently coated with a high quality conversion layer to protect against corrosion and provide an excellent key for powder coating adhesion. Currently, most Powder Coaters are using chrome based Pretreatment Systems as it is known that these systems offer excellent stability. New chrome free systems are now also available which will meet changing European legislation in 2014.

Mo Panam, Qualicoat’s President and Managing Director of Barley Chalu, offered the Powder Coaters perspective of a ‘Quality Finish,’ utilising the benefits of both high quality powders and substantial pretreatment systems. Mo was particularly keen to point out that the cleaning and pretreatment process was one of the most crucial areas of a coaters quality inspections to ensure a long and trouble free life of a finish.

Alan Maginnis, Qualicoat’s UK & Ireland’s President and Managing Director of Sprint Coatings, completed the presentations with the closing argument for specifying QUALICOAT for all architectural powder coated finishes in the UK. Alan then presided over a lively question and answer session with delegates and the Keynote Speakers that offered further advice to specifiers whilst offering an excellent insight to QUALICOAT’s future development in the UK & Ireland and across the globe.

QUALICOAT – is the globally accepted Quality label for powder coating over aluminium. Membership is open to companies involved in either Powder Formulation, Pretreatment Systems and Powder Coating Application. The large majority of companies in the UK are members of Qualicoat UK & Ireland. The UK & Ireland association is one of 18 international QUALICOAT bodies, representing over 50 countries. It is intended that the Technical Conference will become an annual event for the UK & Ireland association.

Copies of the QUALICOAT standard are available through the UK association website together with an up to date list of manufacturers and applicators at www.qualicoatuki.org. Printed literature and telephone support is available from Qualicoat UK & Ireland’s Head Office in Birmingham on 0121 601 6746.

Qualicoat UK & Ireland
The National Metalforming Centre
47 Birmingham Road
West Bromwich
B70 6PY