The last QUALICOAT Members Council Meeting and AGM took place on 13 October 2025 at the Bragborough Hall Conference Centre over 60 members were present with others joining online, our largest meeting to date demonstrating the growth and importance of providing quality architectural powder coating across the UK & Ireland.
The members council meeting opened with a welcome to guests. General Secretary Jan Lukaszewski presented the Secretariat report, welcoming new members who have recently joined the Association. Other matters included the introduction of new email addresses for officers, updated rules for using the UK & Ireland logo and concerns over increased logo infringements, including misuse by a gate manufacturer. Members were reminded not to share logos and to inform Oliver Boegler, our independent inspector from IFO of any outages or holidays of members plants to allow for unannounced six monthly inspections.
Marketing and exhibitions were key discussion points. Jan invited more participation in the marketing meetings and emphasised the need for projects ahead of the next global marketing initiative. Suggestions for an additional exhibition next year were considered in the UK. Updates on specifications highlighted the upcoming QUALICOAT 3.0 licences and six prospective new members, including new members, Sherwood, Alideck, and Trueline. Training initiatives were also discussed, including new programmes and the continuation of two-day courses into 2026 continuing the introduction of seven workstations for practical sessions without harmful chemicals. It was also noted that Jan is going to introduce virtual inspection training sessions for members which will enable smoother unannounced inspections for new and existing licensed members.
QUALICOAT architectural powder coating can be further enhanced for sustainability
Technical and inspection matters formed a substantial part of the meeting. Salt spray testing revealed minimal, with filiform results in line with typical levels. All second inspections for coating members are due to be completed by the end of November. The meeting also addressed challenges such as copper content in recycled alloys, the potential for increased corrosion in marine environments and the review of boiling tests for approval back into the QUALICOAT Specifications. QUALICOAT 3.0 and its extruders working group, the adaptation of certificates of conformity, and compliance with UK requirements were all reviewed. Global statistics showed 2,289 samples tested, with 85% using chrome-free systems and minimal failure rates across all pre-treatments.
QUALICOAT 3.0 requires that alloys fall within the EN573-3:2019 Standard, which can be met using primary or secondary (recycled) aluminium and requires the following three tests to be carried out by an independent testing authority, Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES), Anodic Cyclic Polarisation (ACP) and a Metallographic Study for Aluminium. QUALICOAT 3.0 has been developed to ensure that the aluminium alloy does not become a contributing factor to any premature failure of a powder coated finish. By ensuring that the alloy is of the correct standard, with reduced inclusions and improved grain consistency, it has been demonstrated by QUALICOAT that architectural powder coating can be further enhanced for sustainability especially when used with class 2 powders. In 2026 licences will be granted to aluminium extruders who can demonstrate that they can consistently work to this specification, further enhancing the sustainability of architectural powder coating when specified to QUALICOAT.
Legal and executive updates concluded the members council meeting. Hexavalent chrome remains under restricted use, with a tax applied for its continuation. The UK’s Best Available Techniques (BAT) draft is expected in early 2027, covering noise, effluents, and environmental standards. The executive committee noted that Swiss legal requirements will necessitate a review of the UK & Ireland Association articles. The newly developed Novaloop IT system for automating inspections has grown in scope and is expected to be trialed by IFO inspectors in the near future. The meeting closed with confirmation of the next events, the mid-year Cork meeting to be on 20 May 2026 and the next members’ meeting on 4 February 2026 at Bragborough Hall.
After a buffet lunch members attended the Associations AGM discussing future strategies, commitments and committing to budgets for the next financial year.
The up-to-date QUALICOAT Specification, which includes QUALICOAT 3.0, is available on request through UK & Ireland Association website. The website also offers an up-to-date list of licensed UK and Ireland Powder Suppliers, Pretreatment Suppliers and Applicators including the applicators who carry the Seaside class accreditation.