The Federation of Paint, Varnish and Color Industries (Fipec) draws "the alarm bell on the shortages of raw materials essential to many economic sectors" . The members of the organization, who are active in the printing ink and varnish sectors, include "severe disruptions to their production capabilities", in France and at the European level.
"Our manufacturers have been struggling for several weeks to get the chemicals they need to produce. Significant shortages, characterized by the activation of major force clauses by our suppliers and delivery delays are putting the availability of our finished products under severe pressure."
The five unions that make up the Fipec are also concerned about the general rise in raw material prices, which is increasing the cost of their products very significantly.
Dependence on a supply chain in difficulty
These difficulties are due to maintenance problems at certain production sites (accidents and major incidents, bad weather causing technical stoppages), supply difficulties and logistical tensions on transport.
And Fipec recognizes: "Our professions are suffering the consequences of their strategic dependence on an international supply chain that is currently in difficulty, with no short-term visibility on an improvement in the situation.
Economic consequences on many sectors
"Our professions are integrated into many different streams, she warns. Paints, inks, glues, varnishes are present everywhere in our visible universe (objects, buildings, constructions, etc.). All manufacturing is covered, protected or decorated by our products. A destabilization of our industries can thus have extremely sensitive effects in the whole of the fields of economic activities of the country. A destabilization of our industries can therefore have extremely sensitive effects in all the economic activity sectors of the country."
"At this stage, our manufacturers are doing everything possible to meet their commitments, but strategic choices could be made by our members, to avoid situations of selling at a loss or ensuring the securing of essential channels, all the more so as the context of the Covid19 pandemic has already weakened the sector."
Chemical reformulations could be implemented, but this would require a change in product labeling. Fipec is therefore calling on public authorities to conduct "urgent reflection to identify the best operational solutions to make the emergency adaptations made by our companies' R&D teams compliant with regulations."
