History

Paints and Printing Ink Association History archive

The National Federation of Associated Paint, Colour and Varnish Manufacturers of the United Kingdom was incorporated on 20th November 1911, which fifty years later became the Paintmakers Association of Great Britain Limited. After merging with the Society of British Printing Ink Manufacturers in 1993, the British Coatings Federation came into existence and was expanded to include the Wallcovering Manufacturers Association in 2005.

At the first Council Meeting over 100 years ago in January 1912, there were 127 members and their first issue of concern was the White Lead Agreement.  Substances like lead were removed from coatings over 50 years ago, and today the coatings industry association is focused on topics such as sustainability and new chemical regulations. Whilst the issues tackled by the association have changed over the years, the ethos of the first founding members remains unchanged: effective cooperation to ensure the success and competitiveness of the industry.