Ten leading paint manufacturers in the Middle East – Akzo Nobel, Altakamol, Asian Paints, Axalta, Caparol Paints, Hempel, Jotun, National Paints, PPG and RAR Holding – have agreed to launch the Middle East Paints & Coatings Association (MEPCA), with the backing and support from the World Coatings Council and Vincentz Network. 

“At long last, we have a joint platform for our industry in the region. We will collaborate for the benefit of all members and the coatings sector in general. Over time, we strive to grow our membership to include all relevant paints and coatings manufacturers in the Middle East,” said Abubaker Sheibani, Group CEO, Sheibani Group/Altakamol International, who was elected chairman at the launch meeting held in Dubai on September 13.

He will be supported by vice chairman Martin Rosocha, managing director ME & Africa, Caparol Paints, and treasurer Jasbir Gill, regional director Middle East and Africa, AkzoNobel.

MEPCA have duly applied for official registration with the authorities in Dubai, which will take several months. MEPCA hopes to be operational by the end of 2022 or early in 2023. The new body – whose founding members’ representatives make up the MEPCA Board of Directors – now take on the task to find a general secretary to complete MEPCA’s set up and coordinate the activities of the Association.

The formation of MEPCA, made up of the most senior leaders in each company, was prepared and driven by the World Coatings Council (WCC) and Vincentz Network. President Tom Bowtell and global business director coatings Juergen Nowak, respectively, had held exploratory meetings in February, which were followed by a formal joint meeting with the group of companies in May and the launch meeting in September. Both Vincentz Network as a company and Tom Bowtell as WCC president have been made honorary members of MEPCA.