QUALICOAT UK & IRELAND incorporates as Limited Company
QUALICOAT UK & Ireland has officially incorporated as a limited company, establishing its independence and strengthening its role as the voice for architectural aluminium powder coating. Alongside this milestone, the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB) has officially taken over Secretariat duties.
Celebrating 40 Years of QUALICOAT and 30 Years of QUALIDECO with an International Industry Congress
International expertise, current industry developments, and valuable networking opportunities will take centre stage at the QUALICOAT Congress 2026, held on 20 November 2026 at the Sofitel Munich Bayerpost. Celebrations kick off the evening prior on 19 November with a welcome reception and gala dinner at Munich's iconic Allianz Arena.
Join industry leaders from around the world in Munich to explore key insights, technical innovations, and the evolving future of quality surface finishing.
QUALICOAT UK & IRELAND Strengthens Network with NABU
QUALICOAT UK & Ireland expands its approved network by welcoming NABU-Oberflächentechnik GmbH, bringing over 25 years of chrome-free pretreatment expertise.
QUALICOAT UK & Ireland Awards Seaside Licence to Kestrel Powder Coating
QUALICOAT UK & Ireland has officially awarded its Seaside specification licence to established member Kestrel Powder Coating.
To earn the accreditation, Kestrel demonstrated strict process controls to achieve a 2g/sm pretreatment etch rate and passed independent testing for enhanced coastal corrosion protection.
QUALICOAT UK & Ireland Welcomes Over 50 Delegates to Laboratory Training Event
Over 50 industry professionals gathered for the latest QUALICOAT UK & Ireland mandatory training workshop, focusing on basic and advanced level product testing methods, compliance and record keeping for architectural powder coating. Read the full event recap...
QUALICOAT UK & Ireland Teams Up With AMS For Advanced Technician Training
Technicians gathered at Architectural & Metal Systems (AMS) in Co. Cork, for a QUALICOAT Advanced Technician training session to refresh their knowledge on aluminium coating and defect identification. Each successful candidate received a Certificate of Attendance.
QUALICOAT UK & Ireland Charts Future at Historic Cork Meeting
The second QUALICOAT UK & Ireland council meeting of 2026 successfully took place in the Council Chamber of Cork’s City Hall.
QUALICOAT UK & Ireland Heads to Cork for Pivotal Council Meeting
On 20th May, QUALICOAT UK & Ireland members will gather in Cork’s City Hall for the organisation’s second council meeting of the year. This is preceded by a welcome dinner at the Metropole Hotel on 19th May - hosted by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennehy.
To coincide with the Cork visit, QUALICOAT UK & Ireland is hosting an additional technician training event on 19th May at Architectural & Metal Systems (AMS) in Wallingstown, Co. Cork.
QUALICOAT UK & Ireland Appoints New Secretariat
QUALICOAT UK & Ireland has appointed the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB) as its new secretariat, effective 1 November 2026, transferring from The Aluminium Federation (ALFED).
QUALICOAT UK & IRELAND Announces Official Partnership With The Stone & Surfaces Show 2026
QUALICOAT UK & Ireland will make its debut at the Stone & Surfaces Show as both an exhibitor and official partner as the event returns for 2026.
The event is co-located with UK Construction Week (UKCW) London at Excel London from 12th – 14th May 2026.
Register for a free ticket now.
Instant Verification with New QUALICOAT UK & Ireland QR Code Initiative
Verify QUALICOAT membership in the click of a button.
Each QUALICOAT member certificate now includes a QR code. By scanning the code, stakeholders can instantly verify QUALICOAT member credentials for complete traceability and assurance.
This initiative supports competent decision making, helping to prevent errors and misrepresentation, or non-compliant suppliers being specified, and enables specifiers to select suppliers quickly and with confidence.
New QUALICOAT 26th Edition Specifications Now Live!
QUALICOAT UK & Ireland has published the 26th Edition of the QUALICOAT Specifications, establishing the latest international benchmark for aluminium finishing quality and compliance.
Presented across three volumes, the updated Specifications contain essential guidance for organisations seeking to obtain and retain the QUALICOAT quality label.
These are controlled documents and are available from jan@qualicoatuki.org.
QUALICOAT and the Growth of Quality Powder Coatings
The growth in quality architectural powder coatings specified to the QUALICOAT Specification is driven primarily by increasing expectations around durability and long-term performance. As buildings become more complex and client demands rise, architects and façade engineers are seeking guarantees that coated aluminium will maintain colour, gloss, and surface integrity for decades. QUALICOAT’s rigorous testing regime which covers pre-treatment, application, curing and weathering performance, gives specifiers confidence that the finish will perform consistently across projects and climates. This assurance is particularly valued as projects push for extended lifecycle efficiencies and reduced maintenance requirements.
QUALICOAT Impresses at Zak London
As someone who has watched the Zak World of Façades series evolve over the years, I have seen the London edition grow into one of its most influential platforms, something that became especially clear at the 200th conference. Its success in the UK stems largely from the industry’s increasing need for a forum that brings clarity to rapidly changing façade regulations, sustainability targets and design expectations…
Chris Mansfield - Chair of QUALICOAT UK & Ireland.
QUALICOAT Meet at Bragborough Hall
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.
Trueline Join QUALICOAT
Trueline Powder Coating is the latest company to join QUALICOAT UK & Ireland, strengthening the Association’s growing network of approved applicators committed to maintaining the highest standards in architectural powder coating. Trueline have passed several unannounced inspections of their plant and processes.
Architectural Powder Coating Fire Resistance, Safety and Gateway 2 Compliance
Architectural powder coatings play an essential role in the safety, performance, and aesthetic durability of modern building façades. Beyond their visual appeal and long-term weather resistance, these coatings are increasingly being evaluated for their contribution to fire safety. Powder coated aluminium systems, when correctly specified, applied and tested, provide finishes that meet the stringent fire resistance classifications of A2-s1,d0 under EN 13501-1.
QUALICOAT UK & Ireland Appoints a Board of Governers
QUALICOAT UK and Ireland, part of the global quality label organisation for the coating of aluminium, has officially appointed a new Board of Governors to guide the regional association into its next phase of strategic development. Comprising leading figures from the regions aluminium finishing industry, the newly formed board reflects QUALICOAT’s ongoing commitment to technical excellence, innovation, and global standardisation.
QUALICOAT Presents at Zak London
Offering a presentation at Zak World of Façades London is an important opportunity for QUALICOAT as the event is recognised as one of the most influential global conferences dedicated to façade design and engineering. It attracts a unique audience of architects, developers, contractors, consultants, and suppliers who are actively shaping the built environment.
QUALICOAT Expands on its Specifications
The 25th edition of the QUALICOAT Specifications, approved in November 2024 and effective from January 1, 2025, introduces refined QUALIDECO criteria for decoration of coated aluminium used in architectural applications. This new appendix expands the specification to specifically address decorative finishes, including technologies like sublimation and powder-on-powder.