Innovation and Technology Emerge at LACS 2022

The Latin American Coatings Show (LACS 2022) returned to the CitiBanamex Center on July 26, 27 and 28 with great success. It was visited by 6,837 people and earned US$725,488.73. Apart from being the ideal place to find advice, generate business and contribute to the economic reactivation of Mexico, the event also established a global landscape of the trends and advances that will guide the sector in the coming years.

The quality and production levels for coatings and inks in Mexico exhibit world-class standards; therefore, it's important that companies, suppliers and manufacturers be aware of all the latest norms, regulations and environmental updates. Since 1997, LACS has been the centerpiece for consolidating this information. Attendees are also able to learn about the latest trends in the industry as a result of the quality of exhibitors, conferences and training available.

Anafapyt, its associates and manufacturers, the exhibition floor and all the infrastructure that hinges on LACS are aligned with nine of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 agenda. The evidence is in all the work the industry has put in terms of health and well-being, including reducing the lead content in most products.

For example, 57 percent of countries do not have any regulation regarding this matter; however, in Mexico, there is a regulation already negotiated by Anafapyt to ensure the maximum limit allowed for lead in coatings to 90 parts per million, which makes the country an exception and for many, it is the leader to follow as a consequence of the sector’s relationship with public institutions, such as the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Economy.

One of the main pillars the association is focused on is promoting knowledge and awareness around sustainable development, competitiveness and progress in the sector. Through Anafapyt and LACS, this work was reinforced through the innovation and technology congress that included 50 technical conferences, where topics like new paradigms in production were addressed.

All these efforts are geared toward the application of the new regulations implemented by countries like the US and Europe. To comply, suppliers and manufacturers of inks and coatings need to migrate to baseline products, which means that the Mexican market must move toward enormous technological advances that will ultimately pay off and demonstrate the region's competitiveness.

Promoting and disseminating proper scientific, technological, environmental, hygiene, safety or health activities are other fundamental pillars of the association that gain relevance in relation to the importance of increasing solid content in coatings. This means that while companies seek to reduce VOC, which are the levels of volatile components in products (reduce or use other types of solvents that are less harmful), they also have to increase the solid content per product.

An ordinary coating can have 35 percent solid content. When that percentage is applied it remains adhered and the other 65 percent evaporates. The evolution of these products is aimed at increasing the amount of solids while also reducing the impact on the environment when the solvents evaporate and react with the ultraviolet light from the sun. 

Concerning the commitment to look out, guard and speak for the interests of its associates and the general public, LACS saw the emergence of antimicrobial properties for architectural coatings resulting from global innovation after the pandemic. Another advance that was the focus of discussions was waterproofing with high-solar reflectance, which means that in addition to drying quickly and reflecting the sun's rays, there are energy savings for homes because they have cooler roofs.

Bridging the gap between manufacturers and suppliers to offer high-quality products, or propose alternatives and technologies that represent significant savings in the production chain, is the added value that Anafapyt offers through LACS. The authorities who visited the exhibition floor during the three days of the event were surprised by the level of exhibitors, stands and, above all, by the range of products available to strengthen the market.

Certainly, this edition of the most important event in the coatings and ink industry represented new logistical challenges: trying to return to normality from the current situation has not been easy. However, LACS maintains a strong networking community that works together to build the way for growth and economic recovery in the country. The route will always be drawn by learning, experience and exchange. In that regard, LACS exceeded everyone's expectations.

By 2023, raw material suppliers and equipment manufacturers along with the coatings and ink sector could expect innovative proposals again at LACS, in addition to first-rate guests who make up the largest coatings and ink event in Latin America.

For more about LACS 2022 visit: http://www.lacsmexico.mx