We spoke with Ignacio Berstein, president of the Ibero-American Technological Association of Paints, Adhesives and Inks (ATITAP) to learn about the objectives of the association and the current behavior of the Argentine industry.
by Duván Chaverra Agudelo
The Ibero-American Technological Association of Paints, Adhesives and Inks is an entity that seeks to provide training in the areas of research, product development and technologies for industry professionals. It also organizes and leads activities to promote the dissemination of technical and scientific knowledge through the organization of the School of Technology, Technical Conferences and Technical Congresses.
The current president of ATIPAT is Mr. Ignacio Bersztein, who is also managing partner of the company Color Mixing Argentina. INPRA LATINA had the opportunity to speak with the executive to know his perspective on the current state of the market in Argentina, the work of the Association, participation in the creation of LatinPin, among other interesting topics.
Inpra Latina: How did 2015 start for ATIPAT and what expectations does the association have for the remainder of this year?
Ignacio Bersztein: We started with the Intensive Paint Formulating Chemist course, which we do every year. It lasts six weeks with classes every day and exams on Saturdays. This year he had an excellent attendance with students from El Salvador, Colombia, Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia, Mexico and Argentina. For 2015 we have developed several short courses, which we have been implementing since 2013 but only this year we have almost the entire grid covered with 7 courses. In May we had the Course on Wood, in July the Colorists, in August we will present the Sellers of Industrial Paints, in September Sellers and Buyers of Raw Materials; in October we have two: Adhesives and Paint Marketing, closing in November with the Spray Painting course. All these courses are taught in Buenos Aires, as well as the first year of the fifth edition of our "Regular Course of Chemical Formulator of Paintings" whose duration is three years.
Inpra Latina: What is the balance that ATIPAT makes during its work in 2014?
Ignacio Bersztein: It was a very good year with many changes. We held the last edition of the Expo Congreso Report, which from 2016 will be organized by Expotécnica, a company specialized in events of this nature. ATIPAT from 2014 will be strongly focused on carrying out actions aimed at benefiting its partners. Training is the main benefit since it prepares the partner by providing him with the knowledge that companies demand.
We have created a commission of partners because we want the associates to come and participate, not only for the training We have also formed the Scientific Committee that deals with various topics, including the realization of the next Congress that will take place during the edition of Report 2016. At the end of the year we held a party that had record attendance. This indicates that associates are approaching their Association again. In 2014 we began to outline this path.
Inpra Latina: Tell us about the status of the training processes for professionals of the guild that currently exist in Argentina.
Ignacio Bersztein: ATIPAT is the Iberamericana Technological Association of Paints, Adhesives and Inks. Our interest is to assist not only Argentine technicians but also all the technicians that make up these industries in Latin America. It is for them that we have developed the courses that I already described above. I talk permanently with my peers from latin American associations and a problem that I often observe is the lack of institutions that are dedicated to the training of technicians in coatings in general, not to mention only paints. During 2014 we have held courses in Uruguay, for this year we plan to repeat in Montevideo and also in the Andean region.
Inpra Latina: Currently, what are the topics in which the professionals of the guild should be trained the most?
Ignacio Bersztein: The most appropriate response is "the one demanded by companies". ATIPAT is always in contact with companies, since most of us who integrate it are active in a company. However, the need for colorists and laboratory technicians has been a recurring theme for some time. But there is also quite a bit of interest in new technologies, environment, control standards. The issue of the environment is an increasing need on the part of companies, since in all countries new standards and requirements are implemented, which leads them to have trained personnel to respond to these challenges.
Inpra Latina: What does it mean for ATIPAT to be part of LatinPin? How did ATIPAT participate in the formation of this new international society? What benefits does LatinPin bring to the Argentine guild?
Ignacio Bersztein: In an increasingly globalized world, where communications and social networks break down barriers and shorten distances in just minutes, being part of a new Latin American association is a must. ATIPAT was one of the driving associations of this association. So much so that we held the position of 2nd vice president in the current period, being the former president of Anafapyt, Javier Maldonado, the current president of LatinPin. Thanks to this Association, our interests are supported by strong associations such as Abrafati and Anafapyt.
Inpra Latina: What is the current behavior of the Argentine paint and coatings market? What is the per capita consumption in Argentina? How is the market for local entrepreneurs?
Ignacio Bersztein: At ATIPAT we do not handle market figures such as volumes and margins. That is what the House does. However, I can tell you that per capita consumption in Argentina is above 4 liters. Although there are times when there are shortages of some inputs, at least in my company, at no time do we stop manufacturing any of the lines. The market, depending on the segment, has some ups and downs but in general I estimate that 2015 will be slightly better than 2014.
Inpra Latina: What are the most relevant difficulties that the association must help overcome within the guild to which it belongs?
Ignacio Bersztein: ATIPAT helps train new technicians to join companies. It also improves or expands the knowledge of already trained technicians. Supplying the demand for technical personnel is a fundamental factor for the development of the business. Not only SMEs have this problem, but also large companies. The main asset of a company is its human resources. ATIPAT helps to form this asset.
Inpra Latina: What future do you see for ATIPAT in the next five years? How do you see the Argentine industry during that same period?
Ignacio Bersztein: This is a difficult question for an Argentine... I am optimistic by nature, so my answer is that ATIPAT will grow and will be able to equip a laboratory to do the practices. Our long-term objective is the purchase of our own headquarters where we can install the laboratory. With regard to the projection of the Argentine industry, I have a factory so I hope and strongly wish that it grows. Seriously, I believe that the Argentine industry has been re-equipped and technologically prepared to grow, so I am optimistic.
Inpra Latina: What novelties or technological development projects are known in the guild and that have been developed by local researchers?
Ignacio Bersztein: INTI developed with silver nanoparticles inserted into a charge, a bactericide for latex. This development was presented at the conference given by INTI at the last ExpoCongreso de Report. In addition, in our REC magazine that we have relaunched this year, we disseminate new scientific topics.
