PAPM @57: United as One
WHEN the Philippine Association of Paint Manufacturers, Inc. (PAPM) was created in 1961 by a group of paint manufacturing professionals, both the industry and its constituents were on its way to professionalization.
Since then, the PAPM — a privately operated non-stock, non-profit, non-sectarian, and non-political organization — has grown into the largest Philippine-based organization advocating for the welfare of the paint industry.
To better understand the vital role of the PAPM in advocating the welfare of the paint industry,
The Philippine STAR sits down with PAPM president Ely Kenneth Ongsue as he talks about significant milestones, important issues and current challenges ahead of the PAPM 57th founding anniversary celebration today at Crowne Plaza Galleria, Pasig City.
GOING GREEN
Lead is one of the active ingredients in paint manufacturing. Different lead compounds are added to paint as pigments to create specific colors depending on whichever compound is used. Adding lead to the paint mixture decreases the amount of time that the paint takes to dry, making the paint more durable and moistureresistant.
There is just one problem though. Lead is one of the most toxic and regulated chemicals used today. The chemical poses considerable hazards and risks to human health and the environment from the exposure, use, management, disposal and subsequent releases of lead waste.
Answering the public clamor and worldwide campaign to phase out the use of lead in paint manufacturing, the government has worked closely with key industry players in the private sector to initiate a Lead-Safe Paint certification program that will eradicate lead in the paint production process.
The result was that, last year, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) and the PAPM confirmed the switch to lead-free formulations in the manufacture and production of architectural, decorative and household (ADH) paints. The initiative is steadily making good progress in fully removing lead in paints used for industrial applications ahead of the Dec. 31, 2019 deadline.
“In accordance with regulations implementing lead-free paints, the PAPM has complied and joined the global initiative towards the promotion of lead-free paints. Majority of our manufacturers are already lead-free. Members within the association don’t treat each other as competitors; we try to help each other as partners within the same industry. When the lead-free initiative was in its initial stages, the PAPM committees — despite coming from different competing companies — attended seminars and then shared the information to other paint companies,” Ongsue explains.
TAKING THE LEAD IN ASIA
Aside from supporting the lead-free campaign in the country, the PAPM has also been making great leadership strides in Asia as it hosted the recent Asian Paint Industry Council (APIC) 2017 Meeting. In this gathering, the paint manufacturers, suppliers and industry stakeholders from different Asian countries have assembled at Fairways and Bluewater Newcoast Resort in Boracay last Oct. 1820, 2017. The threeday event featured reports from member associations, updates on local paint production, as well as discussions on environmental issues, chemical management and a special report from the host association.
The APIC is the Asian body of paint manufacturers and suppliers that serve as a forum for open dialogue and exchange among the participating organizations on issues of common interest. APIC is also a member of International Paint and Printing Ink Council, which is a global organization working for international paint and printing industry.
“I think we are ahead of other Asian countries when it comes to eradicating lead. When we hosted the very successful APIC 2017, we saw the gathering of Asian paint manufacturers. The delegates were surprised to see how far the Philippine industry has progressed as far as the leadfree campaign is concerned. Other Asian countries were impressed upon seeing how cooperative the local industry players here,” Ongsue recalls.
THE 57TH ANNIVERSARY
Aside from the 57th founding anniversary celebrations, today’s gathering will also see the induction of a new board of directors. “There will be an induction ceremony for the new set of officers. We’ll also invite our past presidents and give awards to outgoing directors and personalities
who exhibited excellence, hard work and exemplary services in significantly contributing to the sector,” Ongsue shares.
UNITY IS THE PATH TO PROGRESS
As a coating agent, the value of paint lies in its ability to protect and preserve the objects and surfaces on which they are applied. Paints and coatings are applied to almost everything we own and use, prolonging usefulness and providing protection from scratches, rust and corrosion. As such, there is always a huge demand for paint and its manufacturers have traditionally been a significant economic driver.
Nationwide, there are 69 members under PAPM, 23 manufacturers and 46 suppliers. Each member is part of a multi-billion-peso local industry that is widely responsible for creating thousands of jobs in the supply chain, from company employees to factory workers and end-use customers.
Realizing the significant contributions of a united paint-manufacturing sector, Ongsue discusses the organization’s goals as it looks towards a bright future with great optimism. “Our plan now is to unite as many manufacturers as we can. We know that there are a lot of paint manufacturers here, a lot of smaller players, most being specialized manufacturers of a certain industry, like those catering to niche markets or industrial purposes. We would want to invite more of them so we can share technologies and give updates on the current trends and updates from the government and private sector. We also provide lectures and seminars on paint manufacturing as we try to share our knowledge with members. With this in mind, we’ll try to grow and protect the local industry. We are trying to find ways to further unite the sector, for a stronger association of nation-builders,” he concludes.