www.paintshow.com.br
14
Jan/Fev 2010
PAINT & PINTURA
Resumption of growth
Clipping
B
he much awaited year has come. The year 2009 is behind us and will only be remember now as a tough
period which all segments of the industry have practically overcome. And now 2010 beings with a lot of
optimism and great signs of economic upturn.
After rescheduling and holding back some projects that would have been implemented in 2009, the che-
mical industry is betting on new investments and changing the scenario from the insecurity and uncer-
tainties experienced last year. In fact, according to Abiquim, investments in chemicals for industrial use
may exceed US$ 26 billion by 2014. Of that total, US$ 10.9 billion refer to projects that have been approved
and are under way, while projects in the pipeline amount to US$ 11.9 billion, and planned investments in maintenan-
ce, process improvement, safety and environment US$ 3.3 billion. Among other benefits, these investments can create
around 5,800 direct jobs.
Another exciting piece of news is that the investments planned by the chemical industry may be multiplied over the
next few years, hitting US$ 132 billion by 2020, as a result of the implementation of the Paint Industry’s National
Covenant.
The gradual, consistent improvement in all markets is apparent. The reports brought to you in this issue on metallic
packaging materials and tinting systems show clearly optimistic outlooks across the industry. Investments are being
extensively planned and made in new technologies and products to meet both paint manufacturer and consumer
requirements.
These are signs which inspire confidence that the crisis has finally come to an end, and the new scenario allows us to
anticipate and believe that this year will see economic growth resume rather satisfactory rates, especially in the paint
and coatings industry.
Enjoy reading!
Lucélia Monfardini
Editorial
Metallic Packaging - Sustainability in
packaging
The Brazilian Steel Packaging Association, kno-
wn for short as Abeaço, is demonstrating to the
market the numerous advantages of using steel in
packaging manufacturing. “Our main goal is to
emphasize the competitiveness and environmental
benefits of using steel packaging materials,” says
Thais Fagury, executive manager, Abeaço. Steel
cans are more resistant to shock, falls and tem-
perature fluctuations, preventing the waste from
damaged materials. But that doesn’t mean that
they are more pollutant than those made from
other materials.
The key properties of steel packaging materials in
terms of sustainability are their great recyclability
and short lifecycle, as it takes them only five years
to degrade completely when disposed of in nature.
“Packaging materials produced from sheet steel are
extremely easy to separate from organic materials
by magnetic attraction, thereby making waste se-
lection easier,” Thais adds.
Because they are 100-percent recyclable, steel cans
can return to the manufacturing process countless
times, without any loss of mechanical properties
of the material. In other words, steel packaging
material may be transformed into a car tomorrow,
then a fridge, then a new can, and so forth.
Steel recycling also represents environmental
savings, as for every 100 cans recycled, the energy
saved is the equivalent of a 60W light bulb on for
one hour. In addition to environmental benefits,
steel packaging materials are the best option for
storing paints and coatings because they provide
safety for manufacturers and end consumers alike.
Mostly made of tin plates, they are tamper-proof
and ensure that their contents will not be altered
during transportation and storage. Designed and