Sale of solvent-based basecoats for accident repair still illegal

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Following a meeting of BCF’s Vehicle Refinish Committee, the BCF confirmed that it will still be illegal to sell solvent-based basecoats for accident repair in a post-Brexit Britain, as per Coatingsworld.

Non-compliance has increased significantly since the Brexit vote in 2016, with rumors that the EU law (the VOC Paint Product Directive) will no longer apply once the UK leaves the EU.

The BCF said it plans on raising this with Defra Secretary of State Michael Gove, whilst also drafting similar letters to 400 distributors, reminding them that they will still have to comply with the VOC regulations, even after Britain has officially left the EU.

The BCF has been proactive in raising awareness of the continued and growing sales of solvent-based basecoats – as much as 30 percent of basecoat sales in the UK are now solvent-based, per the BCF.

Distributors selling solvent-based basecoats are not only breaking the law, but they are also harming the environment and adding to VOC emissions, the BCF noted.

BCF Chief Executive Tom Bowtell said that 25 percent of the 100 distributors he visited sold solvent-based basecoats for use in general car repair. He said this is a direct contravention of the UK’s VOC Paint Product Regulations.

“The BCF will continue to fight to try to regain a level-playing field for BCF members who invested in water-based basecoats, and also help the UK Government achieve its VOC emissions targets," Bowtell added.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Black Bear, the Dutch tire upcycling company, appointed Geert Glimmerveen as its new CFO, said Coatingsworld.

Before joining Black Bear, Glimmerveen spent more than 30 years in senior finance and executive positions at McKinsey & Company, DAF Trucks, Eneco, and Egeria.

Most recently, he was managing director for waste management and recycling company Van Gansewinkel (now Renewi) Netherlands.

Glimmerveen will speak at the European Venture Philanthropy Association conference, which takes place Nov. 29-30 in Poland.

"At van Gansewinkel, I was intrigued by the opportunities in the circular economy and in particularly by the combination of an attractive business model and the opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment. Black Bear is in a unique position to deliver on both promises," Glimmerveen said.

"By adding Geert to our team, we gain the deep experience of someone who has successfully led growth organizations. As we scale and roll-out internationally, we need to make sure we also build a strong organization to support this," Black Bear CEO Martijn Lopes Cardozo added.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Rochling Engineering Plastics is acquiring Schwartz GmbH Technical Plastics, a Germany-based manufacturer of molded engineering plastics components, as per Canplastics.

The terms of deal have not been disclosed. Schwartz manufactures impact-resistant plastics and large-sized and complex components made of plastic materials such as nylon and acetal. The company has approximately 240 workers at four sites in Germany, the Czech Republic, China, and the U.S.

Schwartz will be integrated into Rochling’s industrial division.

"With this acquisition, Rochling advances its growth strategy and with new technologies such as the manufacturing of large format cast parts from cast polyamide, it particularly enhances its competence for the conveying and lifting technology, oil and gas industry, intralogistics and the building of elevators," said Franz Lubbers, member of the executive board and responsible for Rochling’s industrial division. "Schwartz is active in specialist industries in general engineering and particularly in lifting and conveying technology. As well as the production of highly resilient, large-volume, complex cast parts, Schwartz has the applied expertise required to fulfill the specialist technical requirements of its customers. The complementary activities at Schwartz are highly compatible with Rochling."

Headquartered in Mannheim, Germany, Rochling specializes in processing engineering plastics. The company is divided in three divisions: industrail, automotive, and medical. Rochling’s Canadian operation is located in Orangeville, Ont.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- PPG announced that it is the recipient of Uni-Select’s 2018 Diamond Award, which is given to the supplier that has provided the most dependable and detail-oriented support to Uni-Select customers, as per Coatingsworld.

PPG, which supplies automotive refinish products and services to Uni-Select, received the award at the company’s recent Canada VIP Supplier Awards Event in Las Vegas, Nevada. The most prestigious of Uni-Select’s supplier awards, the Diamond Award recognizes the quality of sales tools, fill rate, lead time, inventory management, service within training and technical support, manpower support and more. It is given to a supplier that offers quality products and sustainable and efficient service.

“We are honored to award PPG with our highest manufacturer recognition award for 2018,” said Brent Windom, president and chief operating officer, Uni-Select Canada. “Being selected for the Diamond Award signifies a company has met and exceeded all key areas that Uni-Select values in a partnership, such as innovation in new products and methods, sales support, customer care, highest quality of products in the category, continuous communication and an optimized supply chain. Congratulations to all the PPG team members, as it takes a family to win such an award."

"We are proud to be recognized by Uni-Select," said Norm Angrove, PPG director, automotive refinish, Canada. "The Diamond Award demonstrates our dedication to providing the best products, service and support to our customers. Good relationships are important in the coatings business, and we strive to do whatever it takes to be a good partner. When our customers succeed, we do as well."
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- In November, Beckers opened a second manufacturing site in Vietnam, as per Coatingsworld.

Beckers’ existing facility near Ho Chi Minh City has been in operation since 2007.

Hua Hin Zow heads this small operation comprised of production and laboratory as well as all technical, financial and HR functions.

Initially, four mixers with an annual capacity of more than 1,000 tons will be largely dedicated to the new facility of one of Beckers’ customers, Vietnam’s largest coil coater, which is located close by.

According to COO Karsten Eller, Beckers’ strategy for local growth will be to focus on operational excellence, including the close contact and strong technological service that are essential to enable Beckers’ customers to become more successful.
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