- Container Coatings Survey
The COA recently conducted an industry survey to gather data and feedback on the performance of waterborne container coatings – and to understand the future technologies and trends being considered by the industry.
Thank you for your responses which are now being reviewed. A full report summarising the results and key findings will be prepared for COA members.
The survey indicates a systemic performance gap: current water-borne coating outcomes are widely regarded as less durable than pre-2017 solvent-based systems, with process control identified as the dominant management issue.
38 industry responses across owners, lessors, surveyors, manufacturers and coating suppliers
| 65% | 55% | 50% |
| rate current coatings worse than pre-2017 | report first failures within five years | support a fundamental industry rethink |
- The development of waterborne coatings has been driven by environmental legislation that requires the lowering of volatile organic components (VOC’s) which effectively restricts the use of solvent coatings on container production lines.
- Only 22% rate current coating condition as good or very good; 30% rate it poor or very poor, with the largest group selecting moderate.
- Peeling, blistering and flash rust dominate reported defects. Exterior panels are the most frequently identified failure location, followed by interior panels.
- Comments repeatedly link poor outcomes to insufficient drying and curing, high line speed, humidity, inadequate temperature control, surface preparation and inconsistent compliance with paint-supplier requirements.
- The commercial evidence is directionally serious but incomplete: many respondents report increased repair activity and reduced expected life or resale value, while cost data remain limited.
- The industry is not aligned on a single replacement technology. Solvent-based high-solids and powder coatings attract the strongest interest, but each has capital, environmental or application constraints.
- Refrigerants for Reefer Containers
The COA Refrigerants Work Group agreed the Association’s response to the European Chemicals Agency’s Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) industry consultation. The response was submitted a few months ago, as part of the continuing discussion surrounding PFAS regulation and its potential impact on reefer container refrigerants.
The SEAC consultation generated 3,511 comments, submitted by more than 3,200 organisations and 250 individuals from 44 countries.
The consultation was evidence gathering on the SEAC draft opinion. SEAC is now examining that evidence. The final SEAC opinion, expected later in 2026.
Work has now started on a COA Technical Guidelines Reefer document. This will provide COA members with a response to the various environmental and regulatory proposals being considered by the authorities and its implications for the container refrigeration sector.
- COA Survey Photograph Standard
The COA Survey Photograph Standard is intended to support consistent and efficient depot survey practices. It will also help provide appropriately structured image data for the training of artificial intelligence systems that could support future container inspection and repair processes.
A draft Photograph Standard has been prepared and agreed by members of the relevant Work Group for comment. A final version is now being prepared. This will be circulated to the COA Board and other Association members for review and comment before publication.
- Reefer Telematics Universal Data Model
The COA is planning to hold a meeting of the Reefer Telematics Universal Data Model Work Group in Rotterdam on the morning of Monday 9 November, before the COA Annual Meeting. Further details will be confirmed shortly. The two main agenda items will be:
- Management and future governance of the COA Reefer Telematics Universal Data Model
- The introduction of the EU Cyber Resilience Act and its potential impact on reefer telematics systems and industry stakeholders
- CEDEX Syntax
Version 2.0 of the Visualisation Component Code has now been uploaded to the COA website.
View the Visualisation Component Code V2.0
An update on the status and further development of the CEDEX project will be presented at the COA Annual Meeting in Rotterdam.
- Flexitank Initiatives
The COA continues to consider how it can best serve and support the flexitank industry. The COA Flexitank Code of Practice is currently being reviewed, while sustainability and the environmental performance of flexitank operations remain high on the agenda.
Further initiatives will be announced during September and at the COA Annual Meeting. Depending on the level of interest from members and industry stakeholders, the Association will also consider organising a COA Flexitank Meeting in Qingdao during December.
7. ISO Official Work Programme
To update Members on the work programme relating to containers being undertaken by the ISO, a list of current projects is presented at the end of this email