Esther ValeroExpo Revestir, the largest fair in coatings and finishes in Latin America, is already 20 years old and celebrated this special date with a hybrid version. For the first time in its history, it could be followed online and in person.
At this edition, attendance was massive, up on participation figures for previous editions, which not only reveals the clear interest in returning to physical events but also the importance of the fair for a sector full of developments. The fair, which is held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, is a reference in relation to the sector’s trends.
Below is a summary of the most significant ones:
Textures
Relief takes centre stage as far as finishes and coatings are concerned. Normally, its use is secondary but, at this edition, it was more visible, with surfaces that generate an illusion of volume or create patterns when they are arranged in a space. The advances in digital technologies in production processes has led to greater variety in proposals, with pieces being showcased with all kinds of effects, metalized, sandblasted and polished.
Colours and designs
The colour palette is increasingly broader in manufacturers’ proposals and there is a lot more to choose from, after some years when the choice was much poorer. Of note among the designs were simple and geometric shapes, with a greater diversity in colours. Particularly striking was the great variety of pink tones, probably influenced by the other trend in design this year, floral designs.
They were a constant feature in the proposals presented by manufacturers of materials for coatings and finishes in the fair: flowers of all sizes, colours and textures, from the most classical to the most contemporary.
Formats
Smaller tile formats and tiles of different shapes are gaining ground. The smallest versions of the pieces stand out, above all, in interior decorating. We frequently came across pieces 1.60 x 160 in size, as well as pill-shaped tiles, which confer a certain nostalgia on designs, tailoring more modern products to a more vintage style.
Sustainability and digitalization
Sustainability and digitalization were very much present in the fair.
Many of the talks and conferences focused on the search for processes and products with minimum impact on the environment, while optimising materials, time and budgets. Reaching Sustainable Development Goals is likewise on the horizon in a sector which is investing in digitalizing process and in new technologies allowing them to offer top quality, attractive products that are tailored to the new habits and needs of a society that is increasingly demanding with regard to what it consumes and the impact that this has on its environment.
Esther Valero
