‘Qualicoat Members Meet in Belfast’

Members of Qualicoat recently met at the Malone Lodge Hotel in Belfast for their first meeting of 2009. With 23 active members the event offers the opportunity to network and discuss the latest quality systems and methodologies.

Membership continues to grow despite the economic downturn. One UK systems company is undergoing initial inspections with a view to membership and there has been a further two applications from companies who have expressed an interest in joining Qualicoat UK & Ireland.

On technical issues there was feedback from the UK working group regarding the UK's proposals to test alternative substrates and pre-treatment systems to determine the most robust systems for the Seaside classification. The methodology had now been agreed which will encompass some 648 test pieces analysed through two independent testing houses. It was agreed that the testing should proceed as soon as possible.

The 12th Edition of the Qualicoat standard has now been released to members in draft form. The new standard takes the Qualicoat standard to a higher level and incorporates many of the updates that have taken place since the 11th edition was launched in April 2006. The new standard comes into force and will be available for download in September 2009.

On environmental issues there had been no further changes to effluent disposal since the last meeting but there were suggestions that waste polyester powder could be allowed back into landfill sites as regulations ease due to the economic climate.

The next ESTAL (European Surface Treatment on Aluminium) Conference is to be held in Oxford in September and several members were already committed to attending. The next Qualicoat UK & Ireland members meeting was discussed and agreed it would take place in Cork sometime in June.

After the mornings discussion many of the members met for lunch before leaving to return to their respective businesses throughout the UK and Ireland.

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.