The 31st edition of the Middle East Coatings Show recently opened at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai, bringing together coatings manufacturers, suppliers, technical specialists and industry professionals from around the world.

The biennial exhibition is being held at its new venue for the first time and is expected to attract more than 5,000 visitors and 300 leading brands. The event covers the coatings value chain, including raw materials, formulation ingredients and production equipment, while providing a platform to explore technologies, exchange knowledge and establish business connections across the MENA market.

The exhibition was officially opened by His Excellency Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, alongside Ben Greenish, Executive Vice-President, dmg events, and Paddy O’Neill, Associate Vice President - Coatings, dmg events.

Alongside the exhibition, ChemTalks features more than 20 technical sessions during the first two days. The programme opened with a global paints and coatings market overview by Douglas Bohn, Director, Orr & Boss, followed by presentations from companies including Mitsui & Co Benelux, BYK - Paint Additives, Wacker Chemicals Middle East, FP Pigments, SI Group and Evonik Gulf.

Bohn said the MENA paints and coatings market is estimated at USD 8.7 billion, with a population exceeding 500 million. Per capita paint consumption in the region stands at 4.25 litres per person annually, compared with a global average of six litres. Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE together account for just under 50 per cent of the regional market.

The event also features a Colour Mixology competition in collaboration with Trycolors, where participants compete to recreate specified colours. The Lab, sponsored by Petrochem Middle East, provides a dedicated networking space for industry professionals throughout the exhibition.