Welcome to PRA

Short introductions to PRA are available in French, Spanish and German. You can also download a presentation about PRA (in English, 1.2 MB, Microsoft® PowerPoint® format).

PRA is the world’s most complete surface coatings advisor and the essential connector to the global surface coatings community throughout the supply chain.

We provide independent knowledge based services that have positioned us as a catalyst for innovation and growth since 1926.

At the centre of our world is “PRA Coatings Technology Centre”; based near London Heathrow Airport. It is home to our unique library dedicated entirely to surface coatings information services and publications, as well as our independent laboratory.

Membership

PRA Membership brings many benefits. Membership of PRA is open to all surface coatings related businesses including paint, ink, adhesive and sealant manufacturers, chemical raw material suppliers, other research associations, instrument equipment manufacturers, end users of coatings and consultants.

You can view a list of our current members.

World Surface Coatings Library

Library Services - PRA's library, the largest in the world devoted to coatings, is open to Members.

We subscribe to over 100 regular coatings journals and can supply copies of original articles from these publications (subject to copyright regulations).

Consultancy Services

Consultancy Services - PRA has expanded its range of consultancy services and established a high calibre team to respond to ad-hoc and bespoke information needs.

We now support strategic planning, business development and acquisitions due diligence with market research and executive coaching.

Our team is unique in terms of experience and combination of both market and technical knowledge, supported by the World Surface Coatings Library and modern laboratory facilities.

Technical Services

PRA’s Technical Services include:

Laboratory Services

  • independent analysis & testing
  • viscosity oils
  • microbiological services

Technical Consultancy

  • environmental testing & monitoring
  • collaborative research
  • technical services.

Publications

Publications - PRA's journals support many activities relating to coatings including marketing, research into coatings technology, specialist technical subjects and health, safety and the environment.

Our highly-valued weekly alerting service Paint Titles is free to Members.

Our three major journals are available online searchable databases as well as in printed or PDF versions:

  • World Surface Coatings Abstracts (WSCA), offering over 250 000 abstracts from technical journals from 1976 onwards;
  • Coatings COMET providing you with essential business information and analysis covering companies, markets, economic trends and other coatings industry news;
  • Safety, Health and Environment Alert (SHE Alert) focusing on legal and regulatory issues affecting the coatings industry in the UK and European Union.

Conferences

Conferences - PRA organizes internationally renowned conferences on technical and scientific subjects related to surface coatings.

Training

Training - PRA offer courses at introductory and advanced levels on a wide and expanding range of subjects including paint technology, colour measurement and control, business information, paint formulation and many others.

Courses take place in Hampton, in South West London, in easy reach of London airports and with a good rail connection from Waterloo Station for those travelling by Eurostar.