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Coated with Innovation: The European Coatings Show and Conference 2025 were a great success
The European Coatings Show (ECS) 2025 has once again affirmed its status as the leading event for the international coatings community. By Silke Karl, Vanessa Bauersachs and Kirsten Wrede.
Held in Nuremberg from 25 to 27 March, this year’s edition broke previous records in both exhibitor participation and global reach, underscoring the industry’s enduring resilience and its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and cross-border cooperation. 25,681 visitors came to Nuremberg, an increase of 4.4 % compared to the 2023 edition.
A Record-Setting Showcase
The ECS 2025 welcomed over 1,200 exhibitors from 46 countries, making it the most international edition to date. Spread across eight bustling exhibition halls and covering more than 40,000 square metres of net floor space, the event drew participants from across the globe – with Germany, China, Italy, the Netherlands and India among the most strongly represented nations.
One of the most striking aspects of ECS 2025 was the level of engagement on the show floor. “From the very first minute, there were meaningful conversations taking place at the stands,” said Alexander Mattausch, Executive Director Exhibitions at NürnbergMesse. “With a record number of exhibitors, there was more than ever for visitors to explore.”
Professionals from every corner of the coatings industry came together to discover novel products, exchange ideas, and forge new partnerships. “The halls were alive with innovation, expert insights and industry-leading solutions,” said Matthias Janz, Director Trade Shows Coatings at Vincentz Network. “This year’s ECS is shaping the future of coatings technology.”
More Coatings Events in 2025
- The Abrafati Show and Congress will take place on 23-25 September 2025 in São Paulo, Bazil
- The Gulf Coatings Show will be held on 20-22 October 2025 in Sharjah, the UAE
- The Pacific Coatings Show will take place on 29-32 October 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia
Conference Focused on the Future
Starting a day before the ECS and running until Wednesday, the ECS Conference offered a forward-thinking platform under the theme “Shaping tomorrow’s innovation”. Spanning three days, the conference featured 24 topic-specific sessions and over 140 presentations, delving deep into the latest trends and scientific developments in the coatings sector and drawing 660 attendees.
The conference began with a plenary session that included keynote speeches by Dr Frank Brouwer of Stahl and Prof. Katja Loos from the University of Groningen, setting the tone for an ambitious and research-driven programme. Both underscored the importance of sustainability, offering perspectives from the industry as well as academia.
Conference Award for Paper on Machine Learning
One of the standout moments was the presentation of the ECS Conference Award to Gaoyuan Zhang from Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, whose paper on predicting colour changes during the drying process of coatings using machine learning drew considerable acclaim.
Another highlight were the six Pre-Conference Tutorials, which brought participants up to speed in six key areas before the main conference started.
Like the conference, the exhibition had a strong focus on sustainability, with numerous exhibitors presenting innovations aimed at reducing environmental impact – from bio-based materials to energy-saving processes. Another focus was on digitalisation. This was further highlighted in the Product Presentations area, where companies unveiled their latest advancements. Held in halls 3 and 5, these sessions were consistently well attended and served as a barometer of the industry’s focus on sustainable development.
Start-ups and positive Outlook at the close of ECS 2025
In addition, the Start-up Area proved to be a lively hub of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Young and emerging companies used this shared space to present new technologies and fresh ideas, attracting strong interest from visitors and industry leaders alike.
As the ECS 2025 drew to a close, the general sentiment among participants was one of optimism and satisfaction. The event not only showcased the latest in product innovation and scientific progress, but also reinforced the value of in-person interaction. The ECS 2025 successfully built upon the momentum of previous years, further strengthening its role as a must-attend event for the global coatings industry.
Save the date: The next European Coatings Show will be held on 20–22 April 2027 in Nuremberg.
