An overview of what is currently happening in the paint sector in a country that is not going through its best moment. But the efforts of many hold out hope for a better future.
by José Tomás Rojas*
In my time as a Technical Service Representative of Industrial Paints, I used to have many exchanges with technical representatives of surface treatment chemicals. These products are used to condition the metal, prior to the painting stage and are generally composed of degreasers, oxide removers and phosphating agents, each of them applied in a different stage.
The phosphating stage is very important because it generates the growth of a film of microscopic crystals on the surface of the metal, which favors corrosion resistance, while providing an anchor surface for the paint, which increases the adhesion and general properties of the assembly.
Exchanges were not always established in an atmosphere of cordiality. Sometimes, when there were complaints from customers for failures in the adhesion or corrosion resistance of the painted part, the treatment technicians oriented the responsibility of the failure towards the paint, and on the contrary, we oriented it towards surface treatment failures, which immediately generated intense controversies.
Finally, after an intensive evaluation of the quality parameters of each set of materials, evaluation on standard phosphate, concentration of chemicals, reactivity of the paint, general conditions of the process, etc., the root cause was reached by consensus. In these cases, and very often, the failures were in a temperature drop inside the furnace, not detected by the control systems, or by an incorrect maintenance of the concentration of the treatment chemicals. Once the fault was corrected, the camaraderie between us returned, and the tranquility between our clients and bosses.
I mention this anecdote, because I recently had the opportunity to visit a plant that manufactures surface treatment chemicals, whose products have always stood out for their excellent performance. I will not mention his name, but I will tell you that this company was founded by a German Chemist who arrived in Venezuela in the 60s, only 21 years old. This great scientist has to his credit the development of more than 1,000 products, not only for surface treatment, but also for the metalworking industry, cutting fluids and multiple additives for the oil industry, which makes him a worthy example of the tradition of greatness that has accompanied the German chemical industry since its inception.
I had the honor of being received by the scientist in person, along with his management team, and with them we talked a lot about the past and present of the Venezuelan Industry. We made a visit to the company's laboratories, and I must say that in all my years of work in the paint industry I had never seen such a large environment, so well organized, provided with so many analysis equipment, some, true functional museum pieces, next to others very sophisticated with state-of-the-art instrumental technology. There were a total of five laboratories; Quality, Functional Analysis, R&D, Raw Materials, including also a small microbiology laboratory. There was science everywhere.
Unfortunately, the activity that was to accompany this profusion of equipment was not present. In an enclosure where there must have been twelve analysts, there were only three. The difficulties that the country is going through, in particular the timely acquisition of raw materials, as well as the fall in industrial activity, have deeply affected this company, as well as the rest of the companies in the chemical sector, and all sectors of Venezuelan industrial work. No one has escaped the crisis that overwhelms us.
I do not want to use this space to analyze the causes that have led us to this point. Just like the company I mention. A large number of companies in Venezuela are fighting for their survival, to maintain their payroll, with production levels around 30% of their capacity, and waiting with hope for the arrival of better times. As an optimistic person I think not all has been lost. The resources, material and human are there, the knowledge is there, the desire for Venezuela to be again the prosperous country it deserves to be, it is there. We just need to agree, put aside personal political interests, and all shoulder to shoulder to lift the economy of this great country.
We must follow the example of our German scientist, who returned from his well-deserved retirement in Germany, two years ago, afflicted by the limitations of his already advanced age, to put his shoulder, to put the best of his contribution, to join efforts to move forward the country to which he dedicated a lifetime of knowledge and work, and that he now needs him, more than ever.
* José Tomás Rojas. JTROJAS Pinturas, F.P. You can send your comments to the email [email protected]
Leave your comment