Latest offerings, colour trends, and expansion plans of the leading paints suppliers in the region

MAS Paints
About the brand: MAS Paints is a leading Italian brand of high-quality wood paints, wood top coatings, special effect wood paints and dyes, and decorative textured paints and finishing products. In 1990, MAS Paints Group was founded by the Alatrash family in Saudi Arabia to manufacture wood paints and finishes. The company started manufacturing paints in Italy and in 1994 established the MAS Paints and Chemical Industry factory in the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai. Within a few years, MAS Paints became a standard in the world of paints. In order to deal with the growing demand in the local market and neighbouring GCC countries, Pakistan, Africa, Canada, India and the CIS region, the company moved to a bigger facility located in the Sharjah Industrial Area.

Abdullah Al Atrash, MAS Paints

Abdullah Al Atrash, managing director, MAS Paints, talks about the paints industry and his expectations from Expo 2020

How is the paint industry doing in the region?
The paint industry in the MENA region is doing well because there are a lot of projects going on. Our sales of wood, epoxy, and decorative paints are increasing.

What are your latest launches in the region? What about eco-friendly paints and their demand?
The demand for eco-friendly paints is constantly increasing because of the new UAE regulations and standards. We are ready to cater to this demand, as we have a range of environmentally friendly paints. Safe, eco-friendly paints have become paramount across the board. MAS Paints are offering water-based and solvent-free paints as well as developing new innovation solutions available for the passive protection of wood elements and wood structures, protection for your wood design features from the dangers of fire. Our new passive fire protection line helps protect your structure without compromising the use of natural materials or the desired look. The new technology allows paint to be aesthetically attractive and affordable as well. This new innovation is also being developed for use in steel structures.

Can you name major projects in the region that you are supplying products to this year?
We are working with many interior design and architectural firms directly. Through our joinery companies, we are supplying our paints to various prestigious projects such as five-star hotels, luxury villas, fashion boutiques, and iconic restaurants. Have there been any new trends or painting techniques in the world of decorative paints? Our research and development lab is continuously developing new paints, wood finishes, and techniques. We are also in the process of launching a new product later this year. We also receive many requests for customised variations of our decorative paints from customers.

Superior quality and finish by MAS Paints

What are your expectations from Expo 2020 in terms of projects?
I am positive about Expo 2020 event as it will attract a lot of foreign visitors who will be fascinated by Dubai and from this, there will be an increase in Dubai FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) and residential property sales and will benefit the hospitality industry as well. What are your expansion plans? We are in the process of distribution expansion, targeting East, and the Central African countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Somaliland as well as the South East Asia market, which continues to expand since the opening of our Philippine showroom. These markets are doing very well economically and we have seen major growth in the interest in MAS partnership in these regions. What is your business strategy for 2019? Our 2019, business strategy is to become more export-oriented and expand our distribution network. This is feasible as Dubai is a global hub for trade and business and the central location makes it ideal for trade all over the world.

Contact:
Business Bay Showroom, Sobha Ivory 2, Al Aamal Street, Dubai;  T: +9714 553 9056 ;
www.mas-paints.com

…………………

Benjamin Moore

About the brand: Founded in 1883, Benjamin Moore is North America’s favourite paint, colour, and coatings brand. A leading manufacturer of premium quality residential and commercial coatings, Benjamin Moore maintains a relentless commitment to innovation and sustainable manufacturing practices. The portfolio spans the brand’s flagship paint lines including Aura, Regal Select, CENTURY, Ultra Spec, Natura and ben. The company is renowned for its expansive colour portfolio, offering consumers, and designers more than 3,500 colours.

Latest launches: Colour of the Year 2019— Metropolitan AF-690, a stylish gray with cool undertones.

Eco-friendly paints: Benjamin Moore Offers Zero volatile organic compounds (VOC) paints and its newer line of green paint includes NATURA, which is not only zero VOC but also Zero VOC, making it the safest paint in the market. Natura is also certified by the North America Asthma Association.

Target audience: In the Middle East, the brand reaches out to designers, architects, specifiers, facility managers, contractors, and the end-users. Jotun About the brand: Since Jotun was founded about 100 years ago in the town of Sandefjord, Norway, much has changed and there’s a lot of emphasis made on areas such as innovation, technology, and research. Whether in education, hospitality, infrastructure, commercial, residential or healthcare, Jotun is one of the leading brands in the region. Expansion plans: Benjamin Moore has just entered the Pakistan market and in 2019 it will expand its presence in Abu Dhabi and KSA.

Contact:
Showroom: SAS Express 21 Al Hamriya St. Dubai; Phone: 800 66673; www.benjaminmoore.ae

………………

Jotun

About the brand: Since Jotun was founded about 100 years ago in the town of Sandefjord, Norway, much has changed and there’s a lot of emphasis made on areas such as innovation, technology, and research. Whether in education, hospitality, infrastructure, commercial, residential or healthcare, Jotun is one of the leading brands in the region.

Latest launches: The most exciting thing is the announcement of Colour Trends 2019 with the inspiration of “Identity”. As the world grows busier and full of distractions, the home remains an anchor of comfort and the place where one can relax. Home is an expression of your identity. Developed by Jotun colour specialists over a year and incorporating on the insights of a global network of colour trend researchers, the latest edition of colour trends explores colours that reflect distinct lifestyles in an urban environment.

Eco-friendly paints: Brand’s premium interior and exterior water-based paint products are low on VOC, formaldehyde free, and APEO free.

Target audience: The interior and exterior paint products and collections act as an inspiration to homeowners and professionals alike. Jotun has protected and beautified global landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower (Paris, France), Marina Bay Sands (Singapore) as well as Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah (Dubai, UAE), Louvre (Abu Dhabi, UAE), and many other iconic buildings and beautiful homes.

Contact:
Phone: +971 4 237 8040; www.jotun.com