12 minute read
ZOOM ON EVENTS
Gabriele Lazzari ipcm®
The digital conference “Alluminio & Acque” on the management of aluminium and water, organised by CIE and MST Chemicals in collaboration with AITAL (Italian Association for Aluminium Surface Treatments) and the ipcm® magazine, was held in Italy on 14 April 2021. It was divided into four sessions in which various topics were addressed, such as the increasingly variable and strict discharge limits, the shortage of adequate supplies and discharge systems, and the environmental protection policies in force.
In the introductory session, AITAL general secretary Giampaolo Barbarossa provided useful information about the regulations on nickel and the toxicological limits set by the European Commission. He also emphasised that the use of chromium trioxide must be authorised by an upstream player and that the review of the list of restrictions by the European Commission could be postponed; by 2024, however, a list of materials that are allowed for contact with drinking water should be published. Afterwards, ipcm® editor-in-chief Alessia Venturi described the role of an international technical magazine in fostering dialogue between suppliers and users and thus promoting industrial innovation. Magazines also make it possible to stay in touch with the market and gain visibility, not only for promotional purposes but also to allow for greater dissemination of innovations.
1st SESSION: treatment processes and chemicals
BASF Chemetall sales manager Cristiano Laurita’s speech focussed on new technologies. The aim is to design chemical pre-treatment solutions to ensure that surfaces have the right electrochemical resistance against environmental factors that promote corrosion. Laurita then presented Oxsilan®, an eco-friendly technology for chromium replacement that allows working at room temperature and reduces water and energy consumption, as well as being virtually sludge-free. Lodovico Palladini from Henkel compared acid satin finishing with conventional alkaline satin finishing through anodising. Acid satin finishing, which is not widely used in the European market but is often employed in the US, guarantees a substantial reduction in sludge and treatment time. However, it also presents some critical issues, such as the presence of a few specific plant requirements and some waste water treatment problems. The report then continued with a presentation of a new way of applying chrome-free conversion products (Adhesion Promoter No Rinse, APNR) in vertical coating systems for aluminium
The Conference’s speakers. From the left: Franco Falcone, Rosario Patricelli, Anastasios Vergani and Angelo Quaini.
The CIE’s fully automated chemical physical waste water treatment system at TALEX plant, Abu Dhabi.
© CIE
profiles. Advantages include the elimination of conversion bath controls, of any pollution problems due to dragging, and of the final cleaning phase.
2nd SESSION: plants and tools
The second session was opened by Alessandro Corrà from SAT (Surface Aluminium Tech), who described the advantages of mechanical profile brush-off systems in vertical coating lines. The vertical brush-off machine called “The Brusher”, to be installed before the chemical pre-treatment tunnel, performs a mechanical surface preparation of profiles by removing any defects that prevent chemicals from reaching the inside of the aluminium parts. This improves the profiles’ quality, as well as reducing chemicals and water consumption and waste rates. Then, it was the turn of Irene Marcolungo, external consultant of CIE, who clarified that the management of cleaning operations is a crucial aspect in any anodising plant. It is necessary to carefully assess the best technologies to be implemented in order to limit the use of water while guaranteeing good cleaning quality and compliance with environmental parameters. Although evaporator water is generally used in closed-loop systems, she suggested using mains water in the cleaning stages after the soda tank and between the cold sealing and hot process stations.
3rd SESSION: purification plants and technologies
Rosario Patricelli from CIE pointed out that the increasingly stringent European restrictions on the discharge of sulphates, fluorides, and aluminium require state-of-the-art plant and chemical solutions. In the aluminium sector, although they have been on the market for more than thirty years, ZLD (Zero Liquid Discharge) solutions are used in less than 5% of existing plants. According to the speaker, the reasons are mainly economic, although he expects that the technologies for reducing (or even eliminating) the final evaporation phase will become increasingly popular.
© CIE
Chemical-physical treatment tanks.
© CIE
A waste water treatment system developed by CIE Srl.
Afterwards, Angelo Quaini from MST presented the PUR-ALL® technology, which makes it easy to keep sulphates below 300 ppm (as per the regulations on discharges into rivers, lakes, and surface water). He also noted that, with the right equipment, it is possible to achieve a value of less than 100 ppm, virtually allowing the liquid to be reused in the same line.
4° SESSION: ZLD waste water treatment
In conclusion, Anastasios Vergani from CIE further clarified the functionality of the PUR-ALL® technology: it is a ZLD solution that guarantees zero energy costs and 100% reuse of water without the use of UF, RO, or evaporator systems. With a few modifications, it can also be adapted to already existing water treatment plants.
Around fifty people attended the conference and the debate that ensued was very constructive, generating – despite the limitations posed by the global pandemic – interesting food for thought. The organisers looked forward to future initiatives, to be found on the CIE Group and MST Chemicals’ websites and YouTube channels.
CONVEGNO ALLUMINIO & ACQUE 14 APRILE 2021
The Powder Coating Summit will be held in Columbus (Ohio, US) on 22-23 September 2021.
Paint & Coatings Industry magazine and the Powder Coating Research Group announce the agenda for the 2021 PC Summit. This year’s Summit includes a keynote by Kevin Hales, AkzoNobel’s Automotive Innovation Manager – Powder Coatings. He will be providing an update of the rapid growth of powder coating technology in the automotive industry with a particular focus on EV (electric vehicles) applications. In addition, Alessia Venturi, IPCM’s Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of EOS Mktg&Communication Srl, will present a talk on how smart coatings are impacting the industry. This year’s event will be hosted at the Columbus (Ohio) Polaris Hilton on 22-23 September and includes a short course on advanced powder coating formulation techniques. This live, hands-on course will be held in the PCR Group lab on 20-21 September. “Back by popular demand and expanded to include an advanced formulator’s course, the 2021 PC Summit has something for every powder coating technologist,” says Kevin Biller, aka Joe Powder, and the founder of the Summit. “We have a wide-ranging agenda that spans a spectrum of recent innovations in powder coating materials, processes and industry trends.”
For further information: www.powdersummit.com
© Powder Coating Research Group
The New Concept for IAA 2021
The IAA exhibition will take place in Munich (Germany) from September 7 to 12, 2021.
The mobility and technology sectors will meet for the first IAA in Munich (Germany) from September 7 to 12, 2021. A new venue and a new concept: the IAA 2021 will become an exhibition, a forward-looking mobility platform and a dialog forum all at the same time. The new IAA is a triad: • The Summit on the trade show grounds will be the venue for brand and product presentations, and conferences for professionals. • The Open Space will turn Munich’s most beautiful inner-city locations into interaction forums on mobility concepts for the future and stages showcasing technologies as experiences. • The Blue Lane will connect the city centre and the trade show with a test track where forward-looking mobility becomes a real experience. And the IAA will be compact and even more intensive: the entire program can be experienced on six days. “Individual mobility is a basic human need – and satisfying it in all its facets is an ever-growing challenge for our society, which business and policy-makers have to address. The new IAA will point up solutions for connecting these mobility demands in ways that are efficient, economical, and socially and environmentally acceptable,” announced Hildegard Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), during the “IAA Concept Release” at Messe München. “This new IAA in Munich is intended to stimulate and drive forward solutions for the mobility of the future,” stressed Hildegard Müller and Klaus Dittrich, Chairman and CEO of Messe München, at the presentation of the concept for the new IAA, with Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder and Munich’s Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter. “Mobility is frequently presented as an ‘either-or’ choice – pleasure versus sustainability, urban versus rural, individual versus public. But mobility is always a diverse AND,” Hildegard Müller underscored. “What is more, mobility and climate protection do not contradict each other, there is no ‘either-or,’ only an AND. The latest technologies and fascinating vehicles developed by the German automotive industry form the basis for a new sustainability. This IAA will demonstrate that in all its diversity,” Hildegard Müller said, adding: “We’re looking forward to Munich and the IAA 2021.” “The new IAA in Munich will have a totally novel event concept. Content, exhibits, experiences and discussions will be accessible to everyone – that is, residents of Munich and guests from all over the world,” said Klaus Dittrich, Chairman and CEO of Messe München, describing the show of the future. “Repositioning the IAA is one of the most challenging tasks in the international trade show business and a unique opportunity for Munich.”
For further information: www.iaa.de/en/mobility
© VDA
© VDA
© VDA
Chemistry and Automotive: that is, the World After Pandemic
The “Chemistry and Automotive” conference will be held in Warsaw (Poland) from 7 to 8 September 2021.
Although the pandemic has limited access to knowledge and news for most of us, the world has not stopped. New solutions are being developed, with laboratories working at full capacity and customer expectations evolving every day. The “Chemistry and Automotive” conference, scheduled for 7 and 8 September 2021 in Warsaw (Poland), is an excellent opportunity to supplement knowledge and learn about new developments. Especially since many prominent specialists have confirmed their participation. Speeches by paint producers that will largely focus on ecology and environmental issues, as well as new products not yet presented at the conference, are likely to be both important and interesting. This time there will be a broader focus on powder systems, including solutions that could soon significantly shorten the painting process and reduce its costs. The second subject discussed will include a series of presentations on paint application, including powder coating application. The new technology presented will include paint printing, production automation, possible cost reduction, productivity improvements and so on. There will also be a how-to segment on dealing with problems that sometimes prove to be unavoidable. The topics discussed during this section will, among others, include eliminating irregularities on the E-Coat process and adhesive joints. Additionally, the role of plastics in development of the automotive industry, as well as their characteristics in comparison to conventional materials, and new methods to effectively control their visual properties will also be presented. The conference will conclude with a discussion between experts and industry professionals on the future of coatings systems. This will be an opportunity to resume the discussions that began during the previous Chemistry and Automotive conference. In short, this year’s Chemistry and Automotive is bound to be an interesting meeting with plenty of professional development and learning opportunities. After such a long break, taking advantage of it is certainly worth it.
For further information: www.chemiaimotoryzacja.pl
© Chemistry and Automotive
The Big 5 Construct Egypt will take place in person from 26 - 29 June at the Cairo International Convention Centre (CICC).
The construction industry is preparing to reconnect in person at The Big 5 Construct Egypt from 26 - 29 June at the Cairo International Convention Centre (CICC).
A Thriving Market
Commenting on a report released in partnership with MEED projects, Vice President at organiser dmg events, Muhammed Kazi shares that Egypt has presented as a top performer in the MENA region. “With nearly $15bn worth of contracts awarded in 2020, and contract awards showing the lowest decline year-on-year in the last decade, Egypt’s construction sector has shown formidable resilience,” he says. Heavyweights signed up to exhibit include the likes of Hassan Allam Holding, Orascom Construction, El Soadaa, ASGC, Hanimex, Al Zamil, Al Ahram, Wellbond, Al Amal and more.
Driving Transformative Leadership
The Big 5 Egypt Leadership Conference is scheduled to gather Ministers and International Leaders from the region and is one of the most anticipated additions to this year’s event. H.E Otunda Richard Adeniyi Adebayo, Honorable Minister, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in Nigeria looks forward to the inaugural conference, particularly the emphasis it will give to Egypt’s transformation into Africa’s trade hub. “We look forward to increased collaboration between our two nations, with a focus on enhancing bilateral trade relations in the economic and trade sectors, and we believe events such as The Big 5 Egypt Leadership Conference provide a good forum to kickstart vital talks on the matter,” he says.
Celebrating Industry Excellence
A new platform to recognise project excellence in Egypt’s booming construction industry, The Big 5 Egypt Impact Awards are being launched to honour the people, organisations and projects driving sustainable development, innovation, and transformation in Egypt’s construction industry. MENA Regional Manager at The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and awards judge Matt Doran has shared congratulations to finalists of The Big 5 Egypt Impact Awards, disclosing that “submissions have shown great feats of industry collaboration and innovation, while reflecting a strong focus on digitalisation, contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, and a diversified portfolio of projects in Egypt.” The event is supported by Strategic Partner, Hassan Allam Holding, Platinum Partner, Orascom Construction, Construction Partner, The Arab Contractors, Banking Partner, Banque du Caire, Gold Sponsors, ABB, CRC Dorra and Samcrete, Silver Sponsor, Keller, Stone Sponsor, Gremic, Supporting Association, The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Research Partner -ABiQ, and VIP Lounge Partner Hanimex.
For further information: www.thebig5constructegypt.com
© dmg events © dmg events
