Recognising growth in Atritor's sales of large scale minerals & chemicals drying & coating plant in China it was only natural to follow up our latest order for 3 Cell Mill-Dryer-Coating units by taking part in this yearly event in Shanghai. Organised by the Worldwide Exibitions Service Co Ltd, Shanghai, on behalf of the Chinese Society of Particuology and in association with Nürnberg Messe, better known to most of us as Powtech, the show  ran  for

3 days from 12th to the 14th of October. It provided an opportunity for western companies to get a feel for powder technology business opportunities in China, including cooperation arrangements, sourcing and joint   ventures  as  well  as  direct  sales.  40%  of  the  170  registered

exhibitors were from outside China and the show attracted 36% more registrations this year compared to its first appearance in 2003. Next year's event is being planned to take place in a brand new exhibition centre in Shanghai because of which the date is being changed to June 2005.

Atritor made sure that headlines and much of the descriptive text was in well translated Chinese text. This, along with plenty of  well  presented  Chinese  leaflets,

helped to best demonstrate our products & processes. We were also grateful for the help of the Utek International Corporation, one of our Chinese cooperators, well enough versed in our business to engage with stand visitors, without problems encountered with interpreters.

Reflecting current success - Atritor is currently commissioning one of 3 large scale PCC drying & de-agglomeration plants already installed in China - the main thrust of our presentation was to those Chinese companies who expect to compete with the world leaders in PCC & fine coated CaCO3 fillers. The paper and the attached Chinese poster pages following this article give an idea of what was presented in Shanghai.

It is also immediately evident at such an exhibition that there are numerous Chinese companies already producing similar highly competitive machines to those recognised by western powder process technologists for milling, classification, micronising  etc.  Nevertheless, in  the  area  of

simultaneous drying, de-agglomeration, classification & high accuracy coating, Atritor's patented injection systems and high level of expertise and experience generally carries enough weight to override the price advantages of machines produced in China. Serious Chinese producers appear not to want to take chances by missing quality  assurance  advantages  in

marketing their products, in competition with world leaders - Atritor technology offers them these advantages.

The level of visitors to the exhibition, although up on last year, did not compare with that of Powtech, Nürnberg, but the seriousness of the enquiries was not lacking. Generally Atritor has acquired new contacts and projects in this area which will help to build our presence in China. There is no doubt that the competition is sharp and costs of production in the area are very low, but, as recommended by our Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, we are much better informed by having made the effort to exhibit there. Now our strategic decisions can be based on first hand knowledge.

Will we be back in Shanghai next June? maybe it's a bit too early to say!