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www.paintshow.com.br 14 Junho 2013 PAINT & PINTURA
design that has set a new standard for the paint indus-
try. With the slogan “1 Bilhão é Para Poucos” (meaning
that producing 1 billion units is a feat for few), the brand
celebrates the record hit last April, when the company
achieved 1 billion Plus cans sold. The mechanical lock-
ing closure system developed by Brasilata is patented not
only in Brazil, but also in the United States, the European
Union, Japan and China, among other countries. To cel-
ebrate the historic record, a special edition was prepared
of the brochure that tells to story of the invention. The
company also produced a commemorative series of golden
coin banks in the shape of a paint can with Plus closure.
Until the last decade of the 20th century, the only option
available in paint can market was cans with the tradi-
tional friction closure, the patent for which dates back
to 1905, despite the search for innovation. In mid 1995,
Brasilata introduced the new closure system for round
paint cans, which has yielded success ever since. Ac-
cording to chief executive officer Antonio Carlos Teix-
eira Álvares, the Plus design stands out for providing a
number of benefits, such as better resistance to internal
pressure, shock, crash and even fall. “These cans are less
raw material-consuming in terms of steel sheet for the
ring lid assembly, while enable higher speed in the paint
industry’s filling lines. For users, it makes the use of
paints easier over time, as they ensure airtight sealing
and better preservation.”
Álvares says that the Brasilata Plus closure is a success
story and one of the rare cases where a Brazilian technol-
ogy has been issued international patents and exported
to countries around world. “In 1998, it was patented in
the European Union, and in 1999 in the United States. In
addition to the Portuguese and Spanish versions, opening
and closing instructions are available in English, French
and Italian in order to meet the requirements of the
European market. In Italy, the Asa group, based in San
Marino, has been licensed to manufacture it since March
2006,” he points out.
According to the CEO, the Plus closure system also attests
to the sustainable position of steel cans for paints and
chemicals. “Due to its innovative shape of the ring and
lid assembly, the Plus closure system uses less sheet steel
than those of conventional cans. Since it was introduced
in 1995, the Plus closure has saved 14,000 tons of steel,
which means reductions of 21,000 tons in the consump-
tion of iron ore and 6,400 tons in the consumption of
coal. Additionally, because it is 100-percent recyclable,
once the steel can is emptied, it is restored to its original
state without any degradation and, upon recycling by
steel companies, it returns the original steel condition.”
Álvares also points out that the slogan “One Billion is
for Few” stands for the utmost success of this extreme
innovation that has changed the Brazilian market, while
confirming that it is a fine product, as it would not have
been possible to sell one billion units otherwise. “Not
only is it a very good product, it also has a sustainability
appeal because we can produce a better can while using
less steel. We believe that this innovation has triggered a
series of other innovations by encouraging the creation
of new research and development departments and new,
innovative internal environments, which has led us to
develop other novel solutions. I’d say that Brasilata has
gained recognition as an innovative organization and
that is history as such began with the Plus closure system,
a domestically-developed technology that is exported to
the rest of the world and inspires us with great expecta-
tion,” he ponders.
For Álvares, the very invention of the Plus closure system
attests to the enterprising spirit that marks Brasilata’s
internal organization environment. “On the advertising
front, for example, the special closure system was the
subject of a victorious campaign that got people talking.
In the year 2000, the Plus closure system won its first
international award at The Cans Of The Year, a congress
held in Brisbane, Australia,” he says.
In conclusion, Álvares mentions that Brasilata’s partici-
patory management has favored continuous, systematic
innovation within the organization. “Ranking among the
largest steel can manufacturers in Brazil, Brasilata has a
thousand employees, including inventors, spread over four
manufacturing sites: São Paulo, São Paulo; Estrela, Rio
Grande do Sul; Rio Verde, Goiás; and Recife, Pernambuco.”
Opening - PPG Industries Opens Packaging
Coatings Site
April 25 say PPG Industries open its newest industrial
complex and plant. The company has moved from Caja-
mar to Sumaré with a view to bolstering its position in
South America, and this Packaging Coatings plant fea-
tures closer proximity between the different areas, while
supporting the region and ensuring a better response
time for the market.
According to Carlos Santa Cruz, chief executive officer
at PPG Industries in Brazil, the opening of this plant
reflects the company’s commitment to support custom-