After eight years, the Metal Finishers' Association of India MFAI, the Indian umbrella organization for surface technology with more than 1000 members, has once again organized the "Indian Surface Finishing ISF 2024" conference and trade fair in the greater New Delhi area from 14 to 16 February 2024. A similar event in 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic. A special feature of ISF 2024 was the fact that the "Regional Interfinish 2024" of the International Union for Surface Finishing IUSF took place at the same time.
During the opening ceremony, Prof. Dr. Sungo Moon, Vice President of IUSF and President of the Korean Society of Surface Finishing and Engineering (KSSFE), spoke of the close cooperation between KSSFE and MFAI. Nine people were honored with MFAI's Lifetime Achievement Award, including four electroplating pioneers, three representatives/dealers and two industry executives.
The well-organized conference featured 43 presentations over three days. A wide range of topics were covered, including electroplating for the automotive industry, light metals, semiconductor technology, alloy coatings, artificial intelligence, chrome plating in Cr3+ baths, e-mobility, silver plating, alkaline galvanizing, passivation of zinc with Cr3+ passivation baths, plastic electroplating, electroless nickel plating, chrome plating with co-deposition of diamond particles, paint removal, plant technology, analytics, zero liquid discharge, sustainable future in the electroplating industry and zinc flake coatings. The presentations were generally well attended.
Around 23 of the speakers came from India, followed by Germany (8), Japan (4), the USA (4), Korea (3) and the UK (1). There was only one presentation from an Indian research institution.
Around 90 companies exhibited their products and services on an area of approximately 3150 square meters in a large hall. Among them were 39 chemical companies showcasing chemical products. Some 33 companies exhibited equipment and accessories. Ten distributors, four metal producers, one instrument company and one packaging company had stands at the trade fair. A total of around 6500 people visited the trade fair over three days.
The Confederation of Indian Industry CII, the CORCON Institute of Corrosion, NACE India, Society for Advancement of Electrochemical Science and Technology SAEST and the Electrochemical Society of India ECSI are the other organizations involved in surface technology, both industrially and in terms of research. The MFAI organizes an annual certificate course in surface technology in Mumbai. Unfortunately, there is no such course in India so far. To realize such a course, industry, research institutes and universities need to work more closely together. Virtually all industries are currently focusing on manufacturing in the country. In most of these industries, surface technology plays a critical but underappreciated role.
Entrance to the exhibition hall
Conference hall
Honoring the speakers Ms. Snighda Shewale, Sargam Industries
Exhibition stands
