MADE expo 2010 is planned for 3-6 February: the International exhibition dedicated to structures, planning and design, architecture and construction technology. The forthcoming edition of this trade fair in Milan will reaffirm its role as a leading international event, the only event planned for the construction industry in Europe in 2010.
The organisers are busy planning the event: despite the current unfavourable economic climate, they are investing in the fair with new events and initiatives. Promoting innovation and technological development in the sector, attention to the world of design and close links with operators and their needs to develop new business opportunities: these are the strengths underpinning the next edition of this trade fair.
And in response to requests by exhibitors to find a new date in the exhibition calendar, in order to strengthen the process of internationalization of the fair, MADE expo has announced a new date for 2011: 5-8 October.
Agreements have been signed with Alitalia to make it easier to attend MADE expo: reserved offers on flights from Italian and international airports directly served by Alitalia for visitors to the fair, plus numerous hotels and 136 restaurants in the centre of Milan and surrounding area.

Parquetone, the line of paint products for parquet developed by Industrie Chimiche Rovea (Wip Coatings division), is enjoying increasing popularity with users in both Italy and abroad. The philosophy behind this result is based on total customer satisfaction, thanks to a water- based product line that combines health and environment safety with a flawless final aesthetic result, plus great strength and reliability. A line offering equal performance to solvent-based products (also available in the product range).
The company has already tested and placed on the market several NMP-free products, in accordance with EEC legislation due to come into force in 2010.
In view of these results, Industrie Chimiche Rovea’s technical and production structure and its commercial organisation will be further boosted, thanks also to the recent merger whereby the company is now part of the Alcea-Pulverit Group, one of the most important groups in the vast world of paint products.
Alcea was set up in 1936. In 1973 its controlling shareholders set up IG Pulver Italia Spa (today Pulverit), which then took over Savia (1979), Rivalin Colorchimica (1983), Martino (1985), F.lli Tovalgieri (1991), MPM and ICSAM (2006) and WIP Coatings (2009), the result of the Rovea/ICSAM merger. Alcea entered the field of Coil Coating for steel and aluminium in 2007.

The European Consumer Survey on Parquet conducted by FEB in collaboration with InSites Consulting provided the following information:
::: wood floors are one of the most popular in Europe and are laid in 43% of its homes;
::: bedrooms and living rooms are where parquet floors are most frequently installed, with 30% of the parquet sold laid in the former, and 26% in the latter;
::: only 14% of those interviewed knew the difference between multilayer and solid wood parquet;
::: do-it-yourself/interior décor magazines (even if most people say they are more satisfied with the more professional trade journals available) and specialized dealers are the consumer’s preferred source of reference when making decisions (the flooring installer comes in only third);
::: 17% of those interviewed are willing to spend more than 75 Euros/m2 for a wood floor; 32% want to spend between 15-20 Euros/m2;
::: the positive qualities consumers associate with wood floors are naturalness, warmth, quality, authenticity, style, and luxury; the negative points are practicality, hygiene, maintenance, and laying;
::: 45% of all parquet floors are purchased from specialized dealers.

Domotex 2010 (Hannover, 16-19 January) is hosting the second European Competition for the Interior Furnishing Trades. During the two-day competition young interior furnishers up to the age of 25 will be able to demonstrate their skills by designing and furnishing a room from scratch. To qualify for entry, candidates must have passed their apprenticeship examination during the previous year and won their respective national competitions for interior furnishing tradesmen. In order to reflect the complexity of the job that interior furnishers do, the competition is divided into four sections, each covering a different area of activity: modern and traditional upholstery work; the fitting of textile and resilient floor coverings; the fabrication and installation of window blinds; and the application of wall coverings. All contestants are assigned an empty booth that simulates a typical room, and given 15 hours to complete the same set of tasks. The jury consists of representatives from the four national trade associations concerned. Urs Kern, President of EuroInterior, will present the prizes to the winners on Sunday 17 January 2010 at a ceremony staged in the competition arena.
In order to represent the interests of the interior furnishing trades in the German-speaking countries at a European level, the national trade associations for Switzerland, Germany, Austria and South Tyrol banded together in 2006 to revive the previous European interior furnishing association under the name EuroInterior. The newly formed body staged the first European competition for the interior furnishing trades in 2008, also hosted by Domotex Hannover.