On-site reports

30LUG

Global chemical supply chains: midst wars and rumors of wars

As we reach the midpoint of 2026, with the global chemical supply chain continuing to be reshaped by geopolitical tensions, regionalization strategies, and evolving economic conditions, taking stock of the current landscape is more important than ever. With this objective in mind, George R. Pilcher, Vice President of The ChemQuest Group, Inc., presents this insightful analysis, offering a clear perspective on a market that remains in constant evolution. A consulting firm specializing in business strategy and technology development for the specialty chemicals, advanced materials, and formulated products industries, The ChemQuest Group has been collaborating with the ipcm® magazines for many years, providing analyses that help readers interpret the dynamics of the global chemical industry through a practical, business-oriented perspective. In this latest contribution, Pilcher reviews the events that have transformed global supply chains over the past few years and assesses their most recent developments, offering readers an up-to-date overview of the challenges and opportunities facing the industry today.

Coatings

04GIU

When finishes and colours turn playthings into design icons

RS Barcelona, a leading name in the world of table games such as table football, table tennis, billiards, and shuffleboards, has radically transformed these products, elevating them from recreational items to genuine design pieces. Today, its creations are designed to blend seamlessly into high-end settings such as hotels, luxury residences, offices, and hospitality spaces. To meet design requirements that are increasingly focused on design and architecture, it has been collaborating for over fifteen years with AkzoNobel, which supplies a wide range of high-performance powder coatings for architectural applications.

Coatings

27MAG

Clerprem is redefining the future of railway interiors with anti-graffiti and anti-corrosion powders that meet the sector’s highest standards

Clerprem, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of ergonomic seating systems and interior components for the transport industry, has chosen TIGER Coatings’ powders to optimise the performance of its finishes for a market that demands ever-higher levels of graffiti resistance, corrosion protection, and application reliability across various metal substrates.

Coatings

02DIC

Textured, glossy, and decorative finishes for the Enterprise Research Campus in Boston

Adapta presented a new landmark building featuring ceramic finishes from its ENAMEL Collection for architecture and design: the Enterprise Research Campus (ERC) in the Allston neighbourhood. Redeveloped as part of the city of Boston’s inclusive and sustainable development policy, it features a ceramic-toned façade created with a three-layer powder system that meets AAMA 2605 certification requirements.

Coatings

01OTT

Super durable sublimation films: wood-like effects and extreme performance for aluminium

Lacalum, a coating contractor specialising in the treatment of aluminium profiles and sheets, has been working with I.DEK for over fifteen years to achieve high-quality wood-like effects for architectural projects with a strong visual impact. The combination of Class 2 powder base coats and super durable sublimation films ensures colour stability and resistance to UV rays and atmospheric agents, guaranteeing excellent performance over time.

Coatings, Corrosion Protection

29LUG

When the paint supplier’s technical support is key to the high performance of protective coatings for electrical transformers

How much can technical advice from a partner with in-depth coating expertise influence paint performance? At Newton Trasformatori, the specialist support offered by Sherwin-Williams, the long-standing supplier of coatings to this Tuscany-based manufacturer of transformers for electrical power management, has proved strategic in optimising coating cycles and achieving the high degree of corrosion protection performance required for its devices intended for C4 and C5-M environments.

Coatings

30GEN

Decorluxe Drives Sustainability in Its Cosmetic Packaging Hub in Synergy with Its Long-Standing Paint Supplier

In the exclusive world of cosmetic packaging, product wrapping is not simply a matter of containers but a crucial element of branding, capable of communicating emotions and conveying an image of quality and sophistication. Sometimes, outer appearance can even outweigh the importance of the content itself. The quality of the wrapping inevitably depends on the perfection of its coating. The Decorluxe Group stands as a centre of excellence in luxury packaging in Italy – an achievement reached thanks to the extraordinary and far-sighted vision of Claudio Mottini, the CEO of V.M.C. Mottini, and the solid collaboration of trusted, long-standing partners, including liquid paint manufacturer Vernici Caldart.

Coatings, Corrosion Protection

09DIC

At Demo Serbatoi, Production Continuity is Ensured by the Paint Manufacturer’s Foresight

One of the most challenging fields of application for paint manufacturers is that of storage tanks, as these containers require protection against both the weather that attacks them externally and the chemicals inside them. Mirodur, a producer of industrial and protective coatings, has won the trust of one of the giants in this sector, Italian company Demo Serbatoi, thanks to its products’ high quality and performance but also its foresight, enabling to anticipate customer needs with formulations developed with a view to future enhancement.