‘Qualicoat’s Congress in Munich’

Qualicoat UK & Ireland were recently in attendance at the World Congress and 25th anniversary of Qualicoat. Held in Munich at the end of October, the milestone was marked by a spectacular Gala Dinner with Qualicoat members from as far away as Australia.

The congress was organised in conjunction with ESTAL, the association for European Surface Treatment on Aluminium. With almost 200 delegates in attendance, representing over twenty countries, there was a varied programme of events organised during the four day congress, which included visits to local manufacturers such as BMW and Mann.

The Congress was opened by the Michael Oswald, VOA President and organising association, followed by honoured guests, Markus Sackmann, State Secretary, Bavarian Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and Dieter Reiter, Chief Executive and Governing Member of the Munich City Council.

During the 2 day congress, speakers presented various topics regarding the quality of finishing applied to architectural metalwork. Professor Michael Stacey, Chair in and Director of Architecture of the University of Nottingham, discussed the importance of finished aluminium in todays architecture. Russell Deane, of Akzo UK, offered an in depth look at the durability of class 2 and 3 powders and how these can significantly extend the life expectancy of architectural aluminium.

Delegates were left in no doubt that the Qualicoat label had become a common world standard for the powder coating of architectural aluminium. Growth was being experienced in many countries across the globe with new members joining and becoming active in furthering the quality and durability of the Qualicoat label.

Copies of the Qualicoat standard are available through the UK associations 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.