What’s on the horizon for the paints and coatings industry?

“The most significant issue in the industry region-wide is still the availability of qualified contractors to carry out the application works not the product themselves.”
-Michael Steve Osbourne

In your experience working for a global organisation, what are the specific influences on operations in the paints and coating industry in the MENA region?

Trine Finnovolden. After the financial crisis, we have experienced reduction in the construction business in Dubai, but in areas like Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Saudi, there is still a lot of megaprojects ongoing. Compared to Europe and USA, the MENA region has recovered quicker from the financial crisis, and there are still willingness to invest in certain areas in the region

Michael Steve Osborne. Operations in the paint and coating industry in the region are much the same as in other regions. The end users drive the specification and are always looking for solutions to meet their specific needs.  Oil and gas end-users are the most influential, as that industry drives the economies of the Middle East, however, with the recent (past decade) growth and population increases in the region, civil and infrastructure projects also play a major role. The most significant issue in the industry region-wide is still the availability of qualified contractors to carry out the application works not the products themselves.

Roberto Wurst. BK Giulini's success is based on understanding our customer's needs and requirements. We take a close look to regional conditions in order to develop the most suitable solution for each individual market. We are aware that the environmental circumstances differ from region to region. In some countries we observe a strong focus on low price products whereas in other markets more sophisticated coatings solutions and systems are preferred. A prerequisite for prompt and comprehensive service is the good contact with our customers. Our staff consisting of technicians, chemists and scientists in research and application laboratories keep a very close contact with our customers. Our laboratories develop optimum solutions to problems, complying with current trends and specific customer requirements. Wherever high performance products are developed, BK Giulini is the partner of choice to provide additives and product design innovations 

The science behind industrial paints and coatings is always evolving. What have been the most significant developments within the market in recent months and what effects do you envisage they will have on the industry?

MSO. The development of specific products to meet specific requirements continues to be the focus of the industry.  In this region hydrocarbon resistant, acid resistant, and resistance to ultraviolet and abrasion remain the key focus points for our clients. Our successes in these endeavours are closely linked to developments in the chemical industry utilising nano and other innovative developments to enhance our products performance characteristics.

RW. Environmental aspects have become the most important issue of future product development for BK Giulini's Business Unit, Bekaphos. Sustainability and ecological compatibility are the key drivers of innovation. Ecologically friendly properties and sustainability are first principles for our development and innovation activities. The development of VOC-reduced and VOC-free additives for the coatings industry is the first priority in our application laboratory. As a successful example for a product based on natural and renewable resources BK Giulini is proud to present the green defoamer LOPON E 81. Instead of mineral or silicone oil we concentrate on vegetable oils as raw material for this all-round talent speciality. This highly effectively defoamer offers best compatibility with different types of emulsions and offers a wide range of applications with lowest dosage.  This extraordinary speciality is almost VOC-free in comparison to other commercial defoamer products.

TF. In an international company like Jotun, we have for many years focused on products to be less harmful to the environment, and now we see this development also in UAE, and other Middle East markets. We have products with a very low content of VOCs, so they will give LEED points, and we even have a heat reflective paint (Jotashield Thermo) that will lead to reduced electricity consumption by reducing the amount of energy needed to cool down buildings.

Health and safety is obviously a paramount concern in the paints and coatings industry. What are the biggest challenges you face when trying to maintain safety standards?

RW. Long term success is what we strive for and this can only be achieved by responsible care for people, environment and resources. The professional competence of our highly qualified staff combines experience and technology in the full range of product and services we offer and the exceptional quality we guarantee. In addition to growing consumption, requirements concerning quality and environmental protection are permanently increasing.  Most of our product range originates from mineral salts without hazardous potential. Experienced safety and active environmental protection are part of our safety philosophy. Safety, health, quality and environmental protection are our company's core values. Of course we follow all relevant health and safety regulations in production and packaging. Moreover, we implemented a management policy that meets the requirements of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Furthermore, we establish work safety goals every year anew and monitor continuously their implementation. We put people first: experienced safety and active environmental protection are part of our safety philosophy.

TF. In Jotun we have had a specific internal health, safety and environment (HSE) policy for many years, and we continuously have our employees in these areas. We are now in the process of getting ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification, to further strengthen our commitment to improving our HSE standards. The challenge is for our new employees and contractors working on site, to ensure the implementation of our high HSE standards.

MSO. The ability of the contractors who apply the products is the paramount concern.  All health, safety and environmental procedures are clearly defined in our method statements and specifications. Educating and training of the contractors, enabling them to follow and implement these procedures correctly remains our biggest challenge.

What are the biggest projects you are working on at the moment?

MSO. We have a variety of projects underway at the moment in the region. In India, Qatar and Abu Dhabi we are working on large civil and infrastructure projects, primarily sewage treatment expansion projects; in Saudi Arabia environmental related asbestos encapsulation and chemical containment projects; in China, railway infrastructure; in Singapore subway expansion and of course the major civil construction works in and around the new Casino developments there.  We have many large projects underway in all regions. 

TF. We are still working on the Burj Khalifa, to finish interior painting in all floors. We have also delivered all the paint for the Metro; the red line is almost done and the work on the green line is now ongoing. On top of that we are supplying to Mina Al Arab villas in Ras Al Khaima, Mazaya Villas in Dubai, and Concourse 3 in Dubai international Airport.

RW. Currently we are working on several projects such as new developments in the field of dispersing agents for the paint industry, additives for gypsum plasters and processing aids for cement based levelling systems. We are constantly enlarging our wide range of state-of-the-art specialties with respect to functional, economical and environmental performance. Optimum process control and technology, which can be optionally designed for on-line purposes, complete the range of service offered.  You are invited to learn more about our new additions during the coming European Coating Show in Nuremberg. We are looking forward to seeing you at our stand in March 2011.

Michael Osborne is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Nukote Coating Systems International (USA). Mr. Osborne also holds the positions of Managing Director of Nukote Arabia, Managing Director of Nukote Coating Systems Singapore, and is a Director of Nukote Coating Systems China, Nukote Coating Systems Asia Pacific and Nukote Coating Systems in India. He holds Master Degrees in Civil Engineering and Business Administration and resides in Singapore with his wife and two daughters.

Trine Finnovolden is the General Manager of Jotun UAE LLC since 2008. Trine has been working in Jotun for over 20 years in the Head Quarters in Norway. She has extensive experience from different managerial positions, as well as from improvement projects. In 2006 she was appointed as Operations Manager in Jotun UAE.

Roberto Wurst has been working in the chemical industry for over 25 years. He joined BK Guilini 10 years ago as General Manager of the subsidiary in Argentina, thereafter moving to the German headquarters where he has headed the Business Unit Bekaphos since late 2006.