NUREMBERG, Germany - The European Coatings Show plus Adhesives, Sealants, Construction Chemicals, which took place in the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from March 31 to April 2, again proved its undiminished power of innovation at its tenth edition since 1991.
 
The international coatings industry currently faces special challenges due to problems experienced by the building and automotive industries. Development is making great advances, however, especially in the field of high-quality coatings and paints, sealants, construction chemicals and adhesives. There is a strong demand for new product functionalities such as self-cleaning and self-healing coatings or antibacterial coatings. And products are increasingly expected to meet new environmental compatibility and sustainability expectations.
 
The show hosted 806 exhibitors from 42 countries, who offered the approximately 20,000 trade visitors from 90 nations a range of raw materials, laboratory and production equipment, testing and measuring equipment, and services. The volume of visitors and exhibitors exceeded the expectations of the exhibiting companies. 160 product presentations at three forums at the heart of the exhibition provided additional information during the three days of the event.
 
The European Coatings Congress, which started the day before, on March 30, featured 160 speakers who participated in 26 session that offered the 461 participants of the congress a look into the future of the coatings industry.
 
The coatings community meets next year at the American Coatings Show & Conference 2010, April 12-15, 2010, in Charlotte, NC. The next European Coatings Show & Congress takes place in two years at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg from March 28-31, 2011.