For many exhibitors and attendees, the Eastern Coatings Show and Conference was the first industry event they have attended since the pandemic began in March 2020. The show offered suppliers and distributors to the paint and coatings industry a great opportunity to meet with existing and potential customers in-person. Exhibitors Coatings World spoke with reported that booth traffic was brisk and attendees were eager to speak with them about their new products and services.

Select exhibiting companies offer their insight on the Eastern Coating Show:

• DCL
“DCL displayed our new high-performance range of perylene and quinacridone pigments from our new manufacturing site in Goose Creek, South Carolina,” said  Michele Claeson, sales manager. “Jadel Baptista, technical service directory also shared how to select a proper pigment for coatings during his technical session.

“DCL was pleased to see that this show was well attended this year,” she said. “Given that trade shows are getting back up and running, this was a highly successful event. DCL has participated in the ECS since the inaugural event in 2013 and plans to attend this show in 2023.”

• Clariant
BU Additives presented its range of light stabilizers, adapted and formulated for use in modern coating systems, such as Hostavin 3070 DISP, a label-free alternative to HALS 292 for exterior DIY coatings.

“Hostavin 3070 DISP gives customers the opportunity to change from high-performance solvent-based  coatings to waterborne coatings without loss of performance in standard formulations,” said Nayib Homayden, sales manager North America, Coatings, BU Additives. “Also presented at the show was Clariant’s bio-based Ceridust micronized powders and waxes for wood coatings, which help fulfil requirements for sustainability and multifunctional performance. And last but not least, BU Additives showcased  halogen-free flame retardants – the Exolit range, which is a fine-particle ammonium polyphosphate optimized for low viscosity in aqueous suspension and intumescent coatings.”

Through the “Beyond Color” campaign launched this year, Clariant’s Industrial Applications business line promoted innovation for the coatings industry in the offering of wetting and dispersing agents for pigment concentrates as well as for base paints.  “As an example, Dispersogen PLF 100, our latest polymeric dispersing agent, answers many of our customers’ needs by providing superior storage stability, excellent color strength and low foaming during pigment paste fabrication,” said Marc Chan, marketing manager North America, Industrial Applications, BU Industrial & Consumer Specialties (ICS). “Our drive to promote the performance behind color with sustainable materials represents our commitment to innovation in the paint market.”

According to Chan, attendance was higher than expected. “Traffic was great on day one, and consistent throughout the day,” he noted. “While day two was slower, Clariant had the opportunity to connect with several customers, gain valuable industry insights, and started new relations with potential customers interested in the solutions we offer for the paints and coatings industry. Clariant plans to participate at the 2023 Eastern Coating Show since a large portion of the industry is located on the East Coast, which maximizes our time to meet with many existing and potential customers and industry partners. We expect a stellar show.”

Clariant's BU Pigments:

"In addition to the full portfolio we offer for the Coatings Industry, Clariant Pigments was very excited to showcase our two newest pimgent dispersion ranges, Hostatint SI for industrial coatings with best-in-calss compatibility and consistency and our low-VOC range of universal high-performance pigment dispersions, Hostatint AU for decorative and architectural coaitngs at the Eastern Coating Show," said Zachary Hays, regional head of marketing – Americas and gloabl segment manager, coatings, Clariant Pigment/Colorants Solutions USA.

According to Hays, the event was better than anticipated. "It was a great mixture of seeing some familar faces again as well as meeting new colleagues from the industry. Booth traffic and the quality of interactions for Clariant Pigments was one of the best we've had in a long time. The Eastern Coatings Show has been a terrific opportunity for Claraint Pigments to engage with the coatings industry and present some of our most recent innnovations. We will definitely exhibit again in 2023 with even more exciting solutions that help coatings manufacturers deliver amazing color and effects to their product ranges."

• Keim Additec Surface USA, LLC
Keim Additec Surface USA, LLC highlighted its water-based ULTRALUBE wax additives, Euroceras PE PP Synthetic waxes, Ceronas mju:wax micronized waxes, SILCO nonwax-based additives,  Abrasion Resistance, Improvers Blocking Agents Anti-Slip/Anti-Skid Agents, Flatting Agents, Flow and Leveling Agents, Formaldehyde Scavenger, Green Additives, Ink Additives, Rheology Modifiers, Ph Buffer,  Seal/Barrier Coating Additives, Surfactants & Dispersing Agents, Dispersing Agents, Flow Modifiers, Wetting Agents, Wax Emulsions, Dry Waxes, SILCO Dispersing / Levelling / Wetting Additives/ Open time extenders, TECOSIT Filmformer, VARIPHOB Hydrophobicity Agents, AGOCEL Rheology Additives and SPACTIVE Defoamers.

“I believe the attendance was good under the everlasting COVID situation,” Keith Condon, national sales director. “…We will attend (next year) as we have now for some time.”

• JNS-Smithchem
“We represent over 40 suppliers of  coatings raw materials including pigments, minerals, resins and additives, but there was particular interests in solution acrylic resins, silicone based additives and cellulosic additives,” said Bob Whiteley, executive vice president. “All of these materials are difficult to source now and many people were looking for alternative suppliers.”

Whiteley reported that show attendance and booth traffic exceeded  his expectations.  “We saw a great deal of enthusiasm from everyone and excitement to meet face to face.   The show provided ample opportunity for this. ECS provides exceptional value to our company in that it gives us the opportunity to meet with customers and suppliers in a short time period.  The keynote speakers and technical papers also give us a chance to hear about relevant issues and new technologies in the coatings industry.”


• Palmer Holland
Palmer Holland showcased its extensive and complementary product portfolio of resins, pigments, and additives for the paints and coatings market. “Our booth was used in partnership with our suppliers to educate and inform on how we are working together to ensure the security of supply and innovation in 2022,” said Austin Palumbo, account manager.
“This unique style of partnering with suppliers during the trade show allows our suppliers to schedule meetings, provide literature, and offer giveaways for attendees and customers. This enables both Palmer to Holland sellers and suppliers to have a strong presence at the Eastern Coatings Show.”

Palumbo noted there was great foot traffic on Thursday, as compared to Friday. “Thursday was a day where many people came down for a one-day exhibit, whereas Friday’s attendance was a bit quieter. “Palmer Holland definitely plans on attending the Eastern Coatings Show in 2023, as this event is always an important week to showcase our capabilities and new product technologies. It is also a valuable opportunity to gather with many of our customers and suppliers in one location, which we look forward to each show.”


• Shamrock Technologies
Shamrock Technologies was at the Eastern Coatings Show to promote its newest offerings of bio-based wax additives in addition to its standard PTFE and wax micropowders, dispersions, and emulsions

“We were pleasantly surprised by the number of attendees, it seems this year in particular the trend has been an unequal balance at trade shows of Exhibitors to attendees but we had steady traffic to our booth both days with several interested parties for our products,” said James Wittig, East Coast, technical sales representative.”

• Siltech
“We started having early discussions about bio-sourced organosilicone coatings additives with people,” said Robert Ruckle, global marketing and sales director. “The first day was very strong in both attendance and good conversations.”

• Troy Corp.
The Troy exhibit featured our full portfolio, from advanced dry-film & wet-state preservatives to performance additives, metal carboxylates, and powder coating additives,” said  Frank Cangelosi, vice president, marketing. “This portfolio breadth sets us apart in the marketplace, offering coatings customers the advantages of having one global supplier for all  of their preservative and additive needs. We also promoted our 360° Control concept, in which manufacturers can control microbial growth and surface & application properties with Troy products. We also promoted our Micropel Co-Branding program, a unique, value-added opportunity for manufacturers to achieve product differentiation, increase consumer loyalty, and benefit from marketing support.”

“We were pleased to see that show attendance was quite good, and that in-person events are slowly returning to normal,” noted Cangelosi. “The Troy booth saw considerable traffic, and we had many quality conversations with coatings manufacturers. Re-connecting with industry colleagues in-person was refreshing and rewarding. We look forward to participating in future Eastern Coatings Shows, as this regional event offers a great opportunity for meaningful dialogue with the industry.”


• Univar Solutions
Univar displayed specialty chemicals and additives supply plus technical resources for formulating and regulatory support.
According to Josh Ackerman, global marketing manager, CASE, “Thursday seemed very vibrant in the expo hall and we had great traffic.  Friday was pretty thin and we didn’t see more than probably two customers.”