This year’s Coatings for Africa 2022 conference, organised by global events organiser DMG Events, was held at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Gauteng, from May 4 to 6.

The event was hosted by multinational coatings industry representatives The Coatings Group and supported by industry bodies South African Paint Manufacturers Association (Sapma) and the Oil & Colour Chemists Association (OCCA).

Notably, the official media partners for this year’s conference were globally recognised technical publications Polymers Paint Colour Journal (PPCJ) and Asia Pacific Coatings Journal (APCJ).

According to The Coatings Group event director Paddy O’Neill, the event was the first live event of the organisation to take place in South Africa after a four-year hiatus.

He explains the event offered an opportunity to suppliers of raw chemical materials, and process plant and test equipment to meet existing and prospective clients face-to-face in a safe and secure environment.

Across three days, Coatings for Africa aimed at promoting the latest paint and coatings technologies for the region’s environmental, manufacturing and industrial needs.

“This is the sector’s best opportunity to make the most of an international networking forum and meet representatives from the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers,” he enthused.

The exhibition space for the event hosted exhibitors from 11 countries with about 54 different exhibitors.

Additionally, about 1 660 attendees from 31 visiting countries made use of the networking opportunities at the event.

The conferencing aspect of the event entailed a two-day conference – covering technical and business topics – as well as two days of business presentations, both of which were received well by delegates and speakers alike.

“The show is important in that it is the largest dedicated coatings event in Africa for raw material and service suppliers, equipment producers, and paint and ancillary product manufacturers for the coatings industry,” says Sapma chairperson Sanjeev Bhatt.

He added that above all, the holding of the exhibition and conference’s timing was pertinent this year, owing to the hardships encountered by the sector over the last two years as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also lauded DMG for organising one of the largest and most successful shows in Africa.

“I hope all attendees and exhibitors will benefit hugely from attending the show,” he enthused.

OCCA South African division chairperson Francy Cullen said the event brought essential focus to the surface, paint and coating, and construction industries.

“The show allows for attendees to collaborate and network with industry partners, key decision-makers and innovators across the surface, paint and coatings sector on a global platform,” she pointed out, adding that the all-important transfer of information pertaining to technologies and raw materials is key for the future of the industry.

The presentations were of an outstanding calibre including technical papers relating to raw materials, testing procedures, health and safety regulations as well as standards.

Cullen concluded that further content included current trends and developments, broad-based black economic empowerment charters, the African Continental Free Trade agreement and skills development.