Page 153 - CW E-Magazine (26-3-2024)

News from Abroad

BOOSTING CAPABILITIES
AkzoNobel to upgrade North American powder

coatings sites

Dutch paints & coatings specia- ing ahead of the curve and investing
list, AkzoNobel, is investing more than in these advanced technologies, we’re
$30-mn to install advanced techno- positioning ourselves as a leader in this
logies and increase total manufactur- thriving market,” explained Mr. Jeff
ing capacity at its four powder coatings Jirak, Global Director of AkzoNobel’s
sites in North America. Powder Coatings business.

The company is incorporating new “Installing thermoplastic materials
extruders, thermoplastics and bonding in the powder coatings formulation
processes at its facilities in Reading, will open up new possibilities for
Pennsylvania; Warsaw, Indiana; Nash- diverse applications and performance
ville, Tennessee; and Monterrey, Mexico. site in Bac Ninh, near Hanoi, Vietnam, enhancements. Effective bonding
It is expected to unlock benefits, such to support the company’s growth ambi- between pigment particles and resin
as increased production efficiency and tions in Europe and Asia, respectively. matrix is crucial for achieving durable
expanded application capabilities. and aestheticaly pleasing powder coat-
“As customers continue to prioritise ings, while the advanced extruders will
The enhancements follow on from sustainability, durability and perfor- enable real-time adjustments and
recent investments in powder manufac- mance, the demand for powder coat- maintain precise control over the
turing at Como in Italy and the multi- ings is projected to escalate. By stay- extrusion process,” the company said.

HELSINKI CHEMICALS FORUM
Global experts in chemicals safety to convene
in Helsinki on April 10-11

The leading conference for promot- vant topics on chemicals safety with her personal reflections from the United
ing global chemical safety, the Helsinki 25 top expert speakers from around the Nations ICCM-5 that agreed on the
Chemicals Forum (HCF), will place in world,” said Mr. Geert Dancet, Secre- new Global Framework for Chemicals.
Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre tary General, HCF. The conference is
on April 10-11, 2024. organised by the non-profit Chemicals The five panels will cover topics
Forum Association in co-operation like the new UN Framework on Chemi-
The hybrid event, allowing for both with a number of Finnish and inter- cals, substitution of harmful chemi-
live and virtual participation, will see national partners. cals, lessons from changes to chemicals
three keynote speeches alongside five legislation in key nations, use of eco-
critical discussion topics that delve into The opening keynote on achieve- nomic instruments for chemicals man-
key issues in chemicals regulations. ments of the new chemicals policy and agement, and transition pathways
The conference aims to foster inter- challenges for the future will be deli- for sustainability.
national collaboration and knowledge vered by Ms. Kristin Schreiber, Director,
sharing, providing participants with the DG-GROW in the European Commis- The conference will be held along-
unique opportunity to engage with top sion. Ms. Sharon McGuinness, Execu- side with ChemBio Finland, the exhi-
experts from around the world. tive Director, ECHA, will deliver the bition and congress for the chemistry
second keynote about the future role and biotechnology professionals in the
“We invite stakeholders in chemi- of ECHA under the EU’s revised set of Nordic Countries and Baltic regions, as
cals regulations from all over the world chemicals regulations. Ms. Anita Breyer, well as Pulp&Beyond, the international
to join our debates on the five most rele- former President, ICCM-5, will give conference for the forest industry.

Chemical Weekly March 26, 2024 153

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