2011 has seen some exciting new technologies for the coatings industry.

I recently had a very interesting telephone conversation with David P. Nick, President and CEO of DPNA International, Inc. In the course of talking about this month’s ABRAFATI event in

The 2011 Coatings Trends & Technologies (CTT) conference, a technical symposium organized by PCI Magazine and the Chicago Society for Coatings Technology, took place September 13-14 at the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Brook, IL. Attendees and exhibitors alike raved about the new, expanded venue for the event, which included two large ballrooms for the double-track sessions, as well as a 7500-square-foot ballroom for the exhibitors to display their products. The conference had 248 registered attendees and 49 exhibitors, both up from last year.

I am constantly amazed at the variety of ways people can obtain information in this technology-driven age. Lately, mobile tags are everywhere, and gaining in popularity, from cartons of eggs to T-shirts to trade show booths. This month’s cover of PCI features a mobile tag from Charles Ross & Son Co.

This issue of PCI features the 19th annual ranking of the top coatings manufacturers in the world. Listed in the article are the Top 10 global leaders and the Top 25 North American companies. Sales numbers listed for each company reflect worldwide 2010 global coatings sales figures.

Ben Franklin said “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” Truer words could not be spoken regarding our knowledge of additives.

The 2011 European Coatings Show and Congress wrapped up on March 31 after four days of presentations and exhibits on the latest developments and innovations in the global coatings market.