Automotive finishes are a significant sector of the coatings industry. Quality and durability are essential, while sustainability and environmental concerns are equally important. The 7th CHINACOAT Conference "Automotive Finishes: Focusing on the Key Aspects of Durability & Ecology" held on Nov. 16-17 at Sheraton Shanghai Hotel, explored technologies for improving product quality and focused on the issue of long-term product durability and ecology. With 80 delegates from 11 countries/regions, the Conference highlighted problems and opportunities faced by the automotive coatings industry. It was made clear during the Conference that success in the automotive finishes market no longer hinges on large volumes but on sustainable performance.

Among the highlights were talks on cathodic electrodeposition using self-crosslinked acrylic and epoxy resins, stable polyester polyols using bio-based technology, surface modified silica nano-particles for improving scratch resistance and improving hardness while maintaining flexibility.