Schedule

Dow is at the forefront of advancing sustainable technologies that meet the evolving demands of the coatings industry. This presentation explores the innovative journey behind the development of next-generation paints and coatings that balance performance, environmental responsibility, and market needs.  Driven by global regulatory shifts, consumer expectations, and Dow’s 2025 Sustainability Goals, our R&D teams have focused on enhancing durability, enabling a lower carbon footprint in coatings, and optimizing tools and capabilities to increase efficiency and accelerate the innovation cycle. Key developments include bio-based raw material integration, progressing on our journey towards safer materials, and advanced formulation strategies that extend product life and reduce environmental impact.  We highlight the technical evolution of binder technologies, including RHOPLEX™ and AVANSE™ emulsions, which deliver superior adhesion, weatherability, and stain resistance while supporting key certifications. Through rigorous lifecycle assessments and accelerated weathering studies, we demonstrate how these innovations outperform conventional systems in both sustainability metrics and end-use performance. The presentation concludes with a forward-looking perspective on digital formulation tools, circular design principles, and the role of AI in accelerating sustainable product development.  This journey reflects Dow’s commitment to collaborative innovation, working closely with formulators, consumers, and regulatory bodies to shape a more sustainable future for architectural coatings.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Tracy Young - Senior Global R&D/TS&D Director
Company/Organization: Dow Coating Materials and Performance Monomers

Tracy Young is the Senior Global R&D Director responsible for leading research and development for Dow Coating Materials and Performance Monomers. Young is a member of Dow’s Global R&D Leadership Team with responsibility for leading research for one of six business units. She leads a global R&D organization to advance innovation and global strategic customer partnerships across acrylics technologies in architectural and industrial coatings, adhesives, plastics additives, and monomers. Previously, Young was the Global R&D/TS&D Director for Construction Chemicals, leading market driven innovation for roofing, flooring, wall systems, and the infrastructure sector across acrylics, cellulose ethers, redispersible latex powders, silicones, and hybrid system solutions. Young was a member of the Industrial Intermediates and Infrastructure R&D Division Leadership team and active externally with universities and industry associations across the building and infrastructure sector. Young began her career at Dow and has been an innovation leader for roughly 30 years at the technical market interface, working with customers and industry partners to develop and commercialize technology in Coatings & Acrylics technologies, Energy & Water, and Specialty Plastics & Packaging. She has been an active industry research leader to advance sustainable solutions for the infrastructure sector for energy and water, sustainable buildings, smart infrastructure, and coatings. As an R&D Director, she has been a key leader on several R&D Division Leadership teams, leading technology, building R&D centers globally, and driving new business development to advance innovation growth. Young received a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Michigan State University and completed executive leadership programs with Dartmouth-Smith College and Michigan State University. She has held numerous industry, university, and government advisory board positions. She is currently a member of the American Coating Association Science & Technology committee and has been an active member of the American Institute of Chemicals Engineers, serving as a society chair for ten years and currently a member of the Institute for Sustainability and International Congress on Sustainable Science and Engineering. She is a member of the Society of Women Engineers, receiving the 2021 leadership award for advancing women in engineering.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: John Gilbert

John joined Behr in 2007 and led Behr’s Research & Development activities in the US and India until his retirement in 2025. Under John’s direction, the Behr team released the Behr Ultra, Behr Marquee, and Behr Dynasty lines. Other product releases from his team include several pro contractor paints, a deck restoration product, an all-acrylic exterior stain line, and an array of interior stains and aerosols.

Prior to Behr, John worked as a Technical Manager at the automotive coatings group of BASF for 22 years, a highlight of which was being assigned to the company’s automotive coatings group in Germany from 1990 to 1992. During his time at BASF, John worked in various product development roles in electrodeposition coatings, primers, basecoats and clearcoats.

John holds a Ph. D. in chemistry from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the College of Wooster in Ohio.

The pigment dispersion and stabilization stages are crucial to the successful manufacturing process of making paint. It requires the pigment stabilization mechanism to be highly resistant to flocculation throughout the manufacturing, storage, application and solidification stages. A new approach to the development of additives to enhance the dispersion and stabilization of pigments will be presented. These new additives are soluble in a wide range of solvents, and exhibit compatibility in a wide range of organic coating chemistries. High Molar Volume (HMV) uses highly branched structures to provide exceptional resistance to flocculation. These branched polymers occupy a greater volume than their linear counterparts and solubility in a wide range of solvents, while exhibiting a greater range of resin compatibility.
Also discussed will be the attributes of (HIA), Hyper Interactive Association polymers and their contribution to stability and compatibility. Additionally, these specialty additives are able to disperse and stabilize the full range of pigment chemistries so that a single dispersant can now be used; simplifying inventory and reducing carrying costs.
These technologies are commercially available for water-borne, solvent borne, and solvent free formulations.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: John Du - Global VP of Technical Marketing and Business Development
Company/Organization: Patcham FZC

Exterior coatings are subjected to various forms of wear and weathering which must be considered when designing a new product. Dirt pick-up resistance (DPUR) is one such property which is critical to a coating’s long-term performance and appearance. Correlating natural, outdoor weathering with laboratory-based results has long posed a significant challenge within the industry, necessitating an adaptable test method as well as a deeper understanding of the numerous factors influencing the natural dirt deposition on an exterior coating.
A study was conducted to monitor the performance of an exterior architectural paint applied on repeat boards and exposed monthly throughout the course of a year, subjecting the coating to various weather conditions throughout the initial lifecycle of the film. In tandem, a new accelerated test method for evaluating DPUR within a laboratory environment was developed to reduce variability and with the goal of correlating with natural dirt deposition results.
Trends identified within the outdoor exposure study were analyzed and used to better understand an exterior coating’s performance and appearance throughout its lifecycle. These learnings are ongoing and being used to drive laboratory testing to best define a standardized method for evaluating DPUR in an accelerated manner while ensuring results remain correlative to natural weathering performance.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Zachary Branciforte - Architectural Coatings Chemist
Company/Organization: BASF Corporation

Both new and existing regulatory schemes can create challenges for each part of the value chain. Chemical producers and downstream users are all impacted. Unfortunately, the situation will only continue to evolve and create more obstacles for chemical producers to overcome.
In this presentation, I will look at problems facing chemical producers from a variety of fronts. I will take a dive into state and federal activities, in addition to what is also happening in other parts of the globe. I will go through common scenarios that companies are facing but also share best practices on handling these challenges and reducing complexities.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Michael Goedeker - Global Head of Regulatory Affairs
Company/Organization: BYK USA Inc.

As concerns for the environment grow, many companies have taken initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint that involve innovating with a focus on sustainability. For resin manufacturers, one contribution to carbon footprint reduction is to incorporate bio-based raw materials in their products that give formulators the opportunity to create more sustainable organic coatings. In this presentation, examples of both solvent-based and water-based high performance industrial coatings that utilize partially bio-based resins will be presented with test results suggesting that similar or better performance can be achieved with these resins compared to petroleum-based products on a multitude of properties.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Daniel Wang - Industrial Coatings Chemist
Company/Organization: Covestro LLC

The drive towards a more sustainable economy has become a pivotal strategy across the coatings industry. This shift has spurred initiatives to reduce VOC emissions, utilize materials with extended lifespans, source from renewable feedstocks, and create safer products. However, one of the main obstacles to the adoption of sustainable technologies is delivering sustainability combined with performance. This presentation will highlight application testing that demonstrates performance of bio-based acrylic polymers tailored for the architectural coatings market compared to petroleum-based counterparts. It will then provide a comparison of the VOC and emissions characteristics of each of these technologies. Lastly, it will focus on the results from real-world field trials where both the performance and consumer perceptions were evaluated. This highlights that sustainable acrylic polymers can perform equivalently to their petroleum-based counterparts, marking a significant advancement in sustainable interior paint.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Pratibha Mahale - Associate Research Scientist
Company/Organization: Dow Chemical Company

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have historically provided excellent dirt pickup resistance (DPUR). However, due to increasing regulations and environmental concerns, the use of PFAS is being phased out. In response, an extensive study was conducted to evaluate the dirt pickup capabilities of PFAS-free surface additives in architectural coatings. This study initiated research and development efforts to enhance the product portfolio with a novel solution.

The primary objective of this study was to achieve excellent dirt pickup resistance (DPUR) in architectural coatings using PFAS-free surface additives. DPUR performance was tested using both wet and dry methods, as well as through actual outdoor exposure of the panels in challenging New England conditions. Additionally, surface analysis was performed on the coatings, including contact angle measurements, surface free energy calculations, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The commitment to a PFAS-free future, combined with the dedication to maintaining high product quality and functionality, drives these innovative solutions.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Emma Bleszinski - Technical Service Chemist
Company/Organization: BYK USA Inc.

Modern dispersion technology provides important advancements in materials processing, driving innovation and efficiency across diverse industries. This presentation explores the science behind dispersion processes, highlighting key applications and the technical evolution of laboratory-scale dispersing and milling equipment. Attendees will gain insights into cutting-edge innovations in equipment design, including advanced control systems, and elevated safety features that define the current standards in dispersion technology.
Key topics include an overview of the dispersion process, technical advancements in control and process monitoring, and a detailed examination of advanced dispersion methods such as bead mill and basket mill systems, vacuum dispersion, and homogenizer technologies. Emphasis will also be placed on safety considerations and the practical benefits of adopting modern dispersion solutions. By integrating certified quality and reliable performance, today’s dispersion technology enables industries to achieve higher productivity, precision, and consistency in material processing.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Jonathan Bain - Business Line Manager for Dispersion
Company/Organization: BYK-Gardner USA

Global regulatory changes lowering the biocide active limits in a wide range of products are expected to impact the paints and coatings industry. Thus, current and future innovation in wet state and dry film preservation demands greater focus on maintaining the efficacy of various actives at much lower levels than have traditionally been applied. Common spoilage microbes have also become increasingly tolerant to current preservation chemistries. Most approaches to address these concerns have involved combinations of current actives applied as either blends or formulated independently to produce synergistic or additive effects. An emerging approach for wet-state preservation involves the use of multifunctional additives that complement biocides to better meet the challenge of preserving coatings formulations against microbial growth, while also improving other coatings properties. In dry film applications, encapsulation of active molecules to maintain efficacy while meeting regulatory requirements has also been widely embraced.
In this presentation, a new multifunctional additive that provides multiple formulation benefits while also enabling reduced in-can biocide use, or avoiding additional classification and labeling requirements in paint, will be discussed. A new controlled release technology that allows its use in formulations without the need for new ecotoxicology labeling in dry-film formulations will also be presented.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Dr. Derrick Okull - Technical Service Manager, Paints and Coatings
Company/Organization: Arxada

Lubrizol introduces a novel technology for the development of high renewable polyurethane dispersion (PUDs) sourced from natural ingredients like soya oils, ensuring minimum interference with food chain and 100% traceability.
These PUDs pave the way for low VOC bio-based coatings with exceptional performance properties, excluding the need for driers or other potential harmful additives or solvents. By utilizing renewable sources as one of the primary raw materials, this innovation represents a significant step towards sustainable coatings formulations, offering both environmental benefits and superior wood performance coating performance.
The presentation will detail the formulation process, characterization studies, and performance evaluations of coatings utilizing this innovative technology, highlighting its potential to revolutionize the sustainable coatings industry.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Israel Skoff - Technical Marketing Manager
Company/Organization: Lubrizol

Engineered performance minerals are based on naturally occurring materials that offer a remarkably low carbon footprint compared to synthetic polymers, making them an ideal choice for sustainable industrial applications. Natural minerals possess unique morphological characteristics and hydrophilic surfaces, which can be further enhanced through engineering mineral surface technologies. These advancements have significantly broadened the scope of engineered functional minerals applications across various industries.
Imery’s recent innovation in engineered surface of minerals has enabled the creation of hybrid mineral-based additives tailored for powder coating applications. The innovation combines the diverse morphological properties of minerals with superhydrophobic surface characteristics to deliver high-performance solutions for demanding applications. Specifically, the hybrid mineral additive serves as an effective matting aid in powder coatings, offering enhanced functionality in both standard TGIC (triglycidyl isocyanurate) and low-cure formulations.
The presentation will delve into the technical aspects of this innovation, highlighting how the unique combination of mineral cores and surface hydrophobicity contributes to superior matting effects, improved mechanical properties, optimized coating aesthetics, and reduced CO2 footprint.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Yanjia Zuo - Senior Polymer Scientist
Company/Organization: Imerys

Formulating sustainably is both a responsibility and a challenge for coatings scientists, requiring decisions that reduce impact while delivering performance. In this presentation, we’ll outline actionable strategies for activating key “sustainability levers” — from raw material choices to lifecycle analyses. We’ll discuss what is driving sustainability in the coatings industry, both from a consumer and a certification perspective . Through real-world examples, we’ll demonstrate how thoughtful formulation can lead to impactful, sustainable innovations. With this information you’ll be able to make strategic decisions that drive the coatings industry toward a future of high performance and environmental responsibility.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Greg Williams - Director of Strategic Innovation and Sustainability
Company/Organization: Behr Paint Company

Corrosion inhibitors are essential for protecting metal surfaces in various coating applications. Conventional inorganic inhibitors are derived from metallic salts that passivate the corrosion cell, preventing the formation of a metal oxide corrosion product. Many inorganic corrosion inhibitors contain toxic heavy-metals that pose significant environmental and health risks. Coatings developers are looking for eco-friendly alternatives to provide the same performance benefits. Organic corrosion inhibitors are sustainable alternatives to heavy metal-based additives. They can be used to enhance performance of a current inhibitor package or relied on to replace toxic materials. Organic inhibitors provide an alternative mechanism for corrosion inhibition, which can reduce or eliminate heavy-metal use. They can also be used to synergistically enhance performance of the current corrosion inhibitor package when regulatory constraints are not eminent. A review of mechanisms by which organic inhibitors function, such as adsorption onto metal surfaces and the formation of protective films, will be provided. Case studies will highlight the factors that influence their effectiveness in diverse applications, including chemical structure, resin compatibility and use level.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Tanya Hunter - Senior Research Chemist
Company/Organization: ICL

Achieving accurate effect color matching poses a considerable challenge in the coatings industry. The inclusion of recycled and bio-sourced materials, along with the complexities of global supply chains, has further complicated the process.
This paper discusses a cutting-edge software technology designed to expedite precise effect paint color matching through automated pigment selection powered by artificial intelligence, utilizing HDR color-calibrated images from modern multi-angle spectrophotometers. Using parallel computing in the cloud, the system can rapidly compute numerous combinations of pre-selected pigments, and a unique spectral metric assists in differentiating between pigments during this process.
This technology considerably enhances the precision and efficiency of color matching, reducing the number of iterations needed by two to four times and eliminating other manual steps. It represents a significant progress for the coatings industry and provides a promising solution to modern color design challenges.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Andrew Whitley-Williams - Applications Engineer
Company/Organization: X-Rite

Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) coatings have been the industry standard for exterior architectural applications for over a half century. PVDF’s carbon-fluorine (C-F) bond, one of the strongest bonds known, provides performance attributes other alternative coating systems cannot match. Coatings containing PVDF can provide excellent weather resistance, UV stability, fade resistance, and gloss retention making them highly desirable coatings for architectural applications.
To enhance their sustainability, beyond extended service life, an aqueous Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)-latex dispersion-based coating was developed. These coatings exhibit the same attributes including mold resistance, mildew resistance, and dirt pick up resistance in exterior coating applications. Coatings formulated with these dispersions continue the tradition of meeting AAMA 2605, 625, and 615 specifications. They also exhibit excellent south Florida weather resistance for over 20 years of exposure. Therefore, increasing the lifetime of the coating, while decreasing the need for recoats (VOC emissions), downtime and overall cost to the building owner. Combining the attributes of PVDF into a waterborne dispersion with a prolonged end-use service life, makes these coatings a more sustainable solution.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Jeff Hamilton - Technical Service Engineer
Company/Organization: Arkema

The technological growth surrounding air barriers continues to accelerate as building designers and architects strive to improve performance attributes related to sustainability, especially those which address energy efficiency and air quality. Fluid-applied air and water membranes are becoming increasingly more common and are typically based on acrylic, silicone, or polyurethane polymer chemistry. In addition to these resins, silane-modified polymers (SMPs) are growing in popularity due to their proven durability against weathering and UV radiation. Within these formulations, the incorporation of organofunctional silanes improves adhesion performance as well as mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation; additional optimization with specialty silanes can further enhance these properties. Next-generation silanes combined with SMP chemistry make air barriers more effective and longer lasting and will advance building sustainability.

Speaker: Letitia Lu - Applied Technology Scientist
Company/Organization: Evonik Corporation

An exclusive and insightful Leadership Panel featuring industry experts from Azelis, BASF, Behr Paint, Cloverdale Paint, Dow, Turk International and Dunn Edwards Corporation at WCS. This highly anticipated event will delve into the most pressing topics in the chemical and coatings industry, providing valuable insights and strategies for success.

Moderator: Chris Dugan, Director of Supply Chain, Dunn Edwards Corporation

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Shiona Stewart - Managing Director of CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants & Elastomers)
Company/Organization: Azelis US

Speaker: Pouyan Sardashti, PhD - Technology Director - Dispersions & Resins North America
Company/Organization: BASF Corporation

Speaker: Steve Waterman - SVP, Head of Research and Development
Company/Organization: Behr Paint Company

Speaker: Ross Nordin - Director of Procurement
Company/Organization: Cloverdale Paint

Speaker: Tracy Young - Senior Global R&D/TS&D Director
Company/Organization: Dow Coating Materials and Performance Monomers

Speaker: Brian Turk - Chief Executive Officer
Company/Organization: Turk International LLC

Speaker: Chris Dugan - Director of Supply Chain
Company/Organization: Dunn-Edwards Corporation

Shiona Stewart brings over 25 years of leadership and expertise in the Specialty Chemicals and Coatings industries. She currently serves as the Managing Director of CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants & Elastomers) for Azelis US—Azelis’ largest global business—where she has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s digital transformation. Shiona’s career spans a broad range of functional disciplines, including technical, strategic marketing, global key account management, and business management. She has successfully led regional and global cross-functional teams with increasing scope and complexity, working with some of the industry’s leading suppliers, including Dow Chemical, Lubrizol Corporation, and Troy Corporation. Before joining Azelis, Shiona held senior leadership roles at BASF Corporation, where she served as North American Business Director for Additives and later as Business Director for Dispersions across the Construction, Paper Coatings, and Carpet segments. Shiona holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Delaware Valley University. Shiona Stewart brings over 25 years of leadership and expertise in the Specialty Chemicals and Coatings industries. She currently serves as the Managing Director of CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants & Elastomers) for Azelis US—Azelis’ largest global business—where she has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s digital transformation. Shiona’s career spans a broad range of functional disciplines, including technical, strategic marketing, global key account management, and business management. She has successfully led regional and global cross-functional teams with increasing scope and complexity, working with some of the industry’s leading suppliers, including Dow Chemical, Lubrizol Corporation, and Troy Corporation. Before joining Azelis, Shiona held senior leadership roles at BASF Corporation, where she served as North American Business Director for Additives and later as Business Director for Dispersions across the Construction, Paper Coatings, and Carpet segments. Shiona holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Delaware Valley University.

Pouyan Sardashti is the Technology Director for the Dispersions and Resins Division at BASF Corporations. In this role, Pouyan is responsible for the Americas R&D organization, overseeing the strategic direction and execution of R&D initiatives in target industries adhesives, construction, paper coatings, architectural coatings, and non-wovens. Prior to his current position, Pouyan was responsible for the Global R&D unit and Center of Excellence (COE) – Polymer for Printing and Packaging, and North America R&D groups supporting industrial coatings & additives product development. In his role as COE head, he led the global product development and launch initiatives of BASF’s new sustainable waterborne functional barrier coatings for food packaging, enabling the replacement of incumbent polyolefin-based alternatives. Pouyan has held various R&D roles during his 11-years tenure with BASF and led process and product development, analytics, digitalization & data science within the Dispersions and Resins group. Pouyan holds a PhD degree in Chemical Engineering from University of Waterloo (2014) and has published numerous patents and papers on topics related to polymer science and coatings technology.

Steve joined BEHR in Chicago in 1995 as a Senior Chemist and soon was promoted to Plant Manager. He ultimately took on the role of Director, Process Development before moving to St. Louis in 2004 to lead Research and Development for the KILZ team. Products such as KILZ Complete, KILZ Restoration and KILZ Complete Coat were all launched during Steve’s tenure. In 2014, Steve shifted to BEHR headquarters to serve as Vice President, R&D Product Development where he provided leadership to PRO, Paint and Specialty teams formulating coatings for KILZ and BEHR branded products as well as leading the R&D team in Pune, India. Some of the programs commercialized under his leadership included BEHR Interior Stains, BEHR Enamel Aerosol, and BEHR Caulks and Sealants. Steve was recently promoted to his current role where he leads all Research and Development teams and the Product Stewardship, Regulatory and Compliance functions. Prior to BEHR, Steve worked for Benjamin Moore as Plant Chemist and various roles in Operations. He holds a double major in Chemistry and Business from Concordia University, and an MBA from Keller Graduate School.

Ross Nordin is the Director of Procurement for the Cloverdale Paint group the largest Canadian owned paint & coatings manufacturer in Canada serving homeowners, contractors, and businesses for decades. With trusted brands like Rodda Paint / Miller Paint, the Cloverdale Paint Group delivers quality you can count on. Operating company owned outlets and supporting dealer distribution throughout Canada and the USA dedicated to providing exceptional paint products and brands to various user segments. With over 13 years of experience leading strategic sourcing and procurement operations in the Paint and Coatings industry Ross holds his Supply Chain designation with the National Institute of Supply Chain Leaders (NISCL), Canada’s largest community of supply chain professionals. At Cloverdale Paint, Ross oversees a talented procurement team responsible for global sourcing, contract negotiation, vendor management, and demand forecasting. Leveraging procurement analytics and ERP systems, he consistently delivers cost reductions, supply chain agility, and process efficiencies. A collaborative leader, Ross partners with finance, operations, and legal team to drive policies that support ethical sourcing, regulatory compliance, and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) standards.

Tracy Young is the Senior Global R&D Director responsible for leading research and development for Dow Coating Materials and Performance Monomers. Young is a member of Dow’s Global R&D Leadership Team with responsibility for leading research for one of six business units. She leads a global R&D organization to advance innovation and global strategic customer partnerships across acrylics technologies in architectural and industrial coatings, adhesives, plastics additives, and monomers. Previously, Young was the Global R&D/TS&D Director for Construction Chemicals, leading market driven innovation for roofing, flooring, wall systems, and the infrastructure sector across acrylics, cellulose ethers, redispersible latex powders, silicones, and hybrid system solutions. Young was a member of the Industrial Intermediates and Infrastructure R&D Division Leadership team and active externally with universities and industry associations across the building and infrastructure sector. Young began her career at Dow and has been an innovation leader for roughly 30 years at the technical market interface, working with customers and industry partners to develop and commercialize technology in Coatings & Acrylics technologies, Energy & Water, and Specialty Plastics & Packaging. She has been an active industry research leader to advance sustainable solutions for the infrastructure sector for energy and water, sustainable buildings, smart infrastructure, and coatings. As an R&D Director, she has been a key leader on several R&D Division Leadership teams, leading technology, building R&D centers globally, and driving new business development to advance innovation growth. Young received a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Michigan State University and completed executive leadership programs with Dartmouth-Smith College and Michigan State University. She has held numerous industry, university, and government advisory board positions. She is currently a member of the American Coating Association Science & Technology committee and has been an active member of the American Institute of Chemicals Engineers, serving as a society chair for ten years and currently a member of the Institute for Sustainability and International Congress on Sustainable Science and Engineering. She is a member of the Society of Women Engineers, receiving the 2021 leadership award for advancing women in engineering.

Brian Turk is the co-founder of the Turk International LLC established in 2008. At Turk International LLC, we are a family-owned distribution company powered by numerous years of expertise in chemical formulation and distribution. Our mission is simple: deliver innovative, high-quality solutions tailored to the unique needs of our clients, from local businesses to global enterprises. In the 18 years since its founding, Turk International has built enduring partnerships across the U.S. and beyond, driven by trust, attention to detail, and a relentless pursuit of innovation. Brian Turk is a dynamic sales and marketing expert with a global footprint in the chemical industry. A seasoned business partner, Brian brings a wealth of technical and leadership skills, excelling in sales growth, team building, and client relationship management. His career highlights include transforming BASF’s global key accounts from zero to multimillion-dollar portfolios and driving success at industry giants like Akzo Nobel, Spraylat, and Union Carbide. With a Chemical Engineering degree and deep expertise in coatings technology, Brian’s skill set spans sales management, technical service, R&D, quality control, manufacturing, and personnel leadership. His ability to launch startups and scale established businesses sets him apart as a visionary in the field. Based in beautiful Santa Cruz, CA, Brian enjoys tending to his mini hobby farm and playing soccer with friends in his downtime Brian Turk is the co-founder of the Turk International LLC established in 2008. At Turk International LLC, we are a family-owned distribution company powered by numerous years of expertise in chemical formulation and distribution. Our mission is simple: deliver innovative, high-quality solutions tailored to the unique needs of our clients, from local businesses to global enterprises. In the 18 years since its founding, Turk International has built enduring partnerships across the U.S. and beyond, driven by trust, attention to detail, and a relentless pursuit of innovation. Brian Turk is a dynamic sales and marketing expert with a global footprint in the chemical industry. A seasoned business partner, Brian brings a wealth of technical and leadership skills, excelling in sales growth, team building, and client relationship management. His career highlights include transforming BASF’s global key accounts from zero to multimillion-dollar portfolios and driving success at industry giants like Akzo Nobel, Spraylat, and Union Carbide. With a Chemical Engineering degree and deep expertise in coatings technology, Brian’s skill set spans sales management, technical service, R&D, quality control, manufacturing, and personnel leadership. His ability to launch startups and scale established businesses sets him apart as a visionary in the field. Based in beautiful Santa Cruz, CA, Brian enjoys tending to his mini hobby farm and playing soccer with friends in his downtime

Chris Dugan is the Director of Supply Chain of Dunn-Edwards Corporation. After graduating from New Mexico State University with a BA in Chemistry, Chris started his 30-year coatings career with Dunn-Edwards at their facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 2001 he moved to Arizona as a Sales Service Chemist and eventually moved into operations with positions as a Director of Manufacturing and finally a role as the Director of Supply Chain. After Nippon completed the acquisition of Dunn-Edwards, Chris took as assignment as the Vice President of Purchasing and Trading at NPAA with broad responsibility for Supply Chain at the two automotive facilities in North America. Along his professional journey, Chris completed his MBA from the WP Carey School of Business at ASU.

Chris currently lives in Gilbert, Arizona with his wife and two boys. When not applying band aids to a beleaguered supply chain, he enjoys spending time outdoors biking, hiking, or just generally soaking up sun.

Recent developments in polymeric dispersants for polycyclic pigments have led to significant improvements in the coatings industry. These advancements reduce grind time, increase pigment loads, enhance viscosity and stability, and deliver superior color properties. Organic pigments, such as perylene and high-surface-area carbon black, pose dispersion and stabilization challenges, especially in high-performance applications. The unique anchoring chemistry of these dispersants ensures robust adsorption to pigment surfaces, while their finely tuned structures promote efficient wetting, milling, and stabilization. This technology effectively disintegrates agglomerated particles, sometimes eliminating the need for traditional media milling, enabling higher pigment loads, even in nano-dispersion applications, and optimizing cycle times without compromising viscosity or stability. It delivers enhanced color properties, including jetness, color strength, and transparency. This presentation will display these novel dispersant technologies, focusing on their application for difficult-to-disperse organic pigments and carbon blacks in aqueous coatings.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Milena Garay-Tovar - Technical Marketing Manager
Company/Organization: Lubrizol Corporation

Architectural enamel paints are essential for enhancing the durability and aesthetics of various substrates, especially in high-traffic and high-touch areas. For surfaces requiring a hard, easy-to-clean, low-maintenance coating, waterborne enamels offer several advantages, including ease of application, fast drying, low odor, and overall good performance. Key performance needs in this segment include rapid block resistance, surfactant leaching resistance, and degradation resistance from exposure to hand oils, household chemicals, sunscreen, skin lotions, and cleaning agents. Historically, architectural enamel paints relied heavily on hard binders and volatile solvents for performance.
With evolving VOC regulations and sustainability initiatives, formulators face challenges in removing VOCs and additives of concern while maintaining high performance. New solutions are needed to achieve the performance this market segment requires. Additionally, it is not enough to improve sustainability metrics; consumers demand higher performance benefits. This paper explores the development of binder technology that meets the latest sustainability requirements while improving hardness, block resistance, and surfactant leaching resistance when benchmarked against current commercial paints.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Jeff Mecham - Sr. Technical Service Engineer
Company/Organization: Arkema

Interior wall paint durability is essential to maintaining the aesthetic and functional integrity of living and working spaces. Key durability attributes are scuff, mar, and scratch resistance – indicators of coating appearance changes associated with environmental wear and tear and permanent damage due to severe abrasion. These properties not only extend coating lifespan but reduce maintenance costs, preserve visual appeal, and deliver customer satisfaction.
To understand the range of durability performance characteristics available to the consumer, we have completed a benchmarking study evaluating several commercial DIY interior wall paints, along with paints containing BASF developmental prototypes. The study outcomes presented will demonstrate strengths and weaknesses of the available products in the market, providing direction for future product development. Scuff, mar and scratch resistance results will be emphasized, along with the test methods used for their quantification. Additionally, mechanical, appearance, staining and surface properties will be highlighted to illustrate each paint’s overall property balance.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Dr. Gary Deeter - Senior Scientist
Company/Organization: BASF Corporation

There is a strong interest in the industry to move from applying several thin layers of coating to one thick layer. One-pass coatings will lead to savings in manpower, allow faster return to service and increase the capacity of industrial coating lines. However, sagging, drying speed and mud cracking often limit the wet film thickness.
Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) is a biobased, multifunctional product made of cellulose. MFC is low shear thickener, leading to significant increase in the low shear viscosity with minimal impact on mid shear (KU) and with no impact on the high shear (ICI). Addition of MFC to the paint formulation reduces significantly the tendency for sagging. In addition, MFC shortens the drying time of the coating, prevents mud cracking and improves the final properties of the coating.
In this work, the effect of MFC on drying speed was studied with two high build waterborne formulations; An insulation coating based on 100% acrylic binder and a basement coating based on acrylic copolymer binder. We will demonstrate how MFC shortens the drying time of coatings, compared to traditional thickeners commonly used. The formulations were evaluated in terms of rheology, sag resistance, mud-cracking, water absorption, strength and drying speed.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Otto Soidinsalo, PhD - Business Development Manager
Company/Organization: Borregaard

Sustainable innovation is transforming colorant tinting in the architectural waterborne coatings industry. Increasing demand for sustainability, driven by regulations and customer preferences, challenges traditional colorants to eliminate biocides, VOCs and additives without compromising performance.
Vibrantz Technologies introduces a groundbreaking solution: the industry’s first volumetrically dosed system of solid colorants. This innovation simplifies tinting, reduces machinery complexity and maintenance, eliminates purging cycles, and enhances tinting accuracy. With fewer mistints and minimal impact on paint properties like viscosity and blocking resistance, Vibrantz’s solution delivers superior sustainability, efficiency, and performance.
A comprehensive lifecycle analysis (LCA) confirms that this technology achieves a negative carbon footprint, making it one of the most environmentally responsible advancements in colorant tinting. By reducing waste, energy consumption and emissions, it outperforms traditional liquid colorants in sustainability metrics.
Integrated cloud technology further revolutionizes the industry, ensuring precise tinting control and streamlined operations. By addressing sustainability concerns and enhancing efficiency, this innovation sets a new standard for eco-friendly, high-performance tinting solutions.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Jana Shafer - Product Manager for Pearls and Architectural Coatings
Company/Organization: Vibrantz Color Solutions Inc.

With the current global pressure for replacement of PFAS-containing chemicals, the paints and coatings market sector face a challenging task for finding alternatives that will offer comparable or equal performance to the products used to date. We have compared a large variety of chemical functionalities to discover the best alternatives to key performance parameters such as hot short blocking resistance and dirt pick up resistance.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Dr. Daniel Hercules - Senior Research and Development Chemist
Company/Organization: Innovative Chemical Technologies

This presentation explores advancements in HDI-based polyurethane (PU) technology for industrial and commercial flooring applications. Utilizing aliphatic isocyanate chemistries, these solutions exhibit enhanced mechanical performance, environmental compliance, and extended service life.
Key aspects include low-VOC, high-durability coatings with superior abrasion and slip resistance, addressing the challenges of high-traffic environments such as parking structures and manufacturing facilities. The study examines the performance of two-component PU systems, including rigid and elastic formulations, focusing on adhesion properties, weatherability, and VOC compliance. Additionally, solvent-free and self-matting technologies are analyzed for their impact on application efficiency and long-term stability.
This discussion provides a technical framework for PU flooring solutions, evaluating their role in developing safer, more durable, and sustainable flooring systems.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Lin Luo - Product Development Chemist
Company/Organization: Wanhua Chemical

Open time is the length of time that a paint film remains “wet” or open enough to allow “workability” when paint is applied with a brush or roller. Open time is a key performance vector for paints and coatings, especially for better one coat hiding. In waterborne or latex coatings, the film formation phenomenon controls open time. Currently, formulators use glycols which are soluble in water to slow down the evaporation of water during the film drying process to increase open time. However, these glycol solvents contribute to the formulation’s volatile organic content (VOC), which goes against the industry’s challenge to lower/eliminate VOC. In addition, the type and amount of coalescent may lower the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the latex, leading to a softer film which improves resistance to cracking but negatively affects dirt pick up.
The most common open time additives currently available are based on surfactants which can impact other properties as:
Rheology Modification – If modifiers are based on surfactant association, they can decrease ICI viscosity due to higher level of surfactant in the total paint formulation.
Decreased Scrub Resistance
Increased Surfactant Leaching
Negative effect on Color Development depending on the colorant dispersion and lack of lubrification usually provided by glycols during the film formation.
This presentation will discuss the benefits of a novel multifunctional polymer additive for zero VOC architectural paints. This novel multifunctional additive replaces glycols helping coalescence during the film formation as well as providing improved properties including open time, freeze/thaw stability, color development, colorant compatibility, scrub resistance, corrosion resistance, stain resistance, storage stability, opacity, and hiding power during application with brush or roll.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Celia Regina Szcypula Buono - Chemical Engineer
Company/Organization: Nouryon Performance Chemicals LLC

Inline Vacuum Dispersion Technology has started to displace high speed dissolvers and bead mills in paint, coatings and printing inks production. Powder particles (pigments, fillers, extenders, thickeners, etc.) are dispersed in a completely different way. Powder expansion under vacuum separates and singularises the powder particles before they enter the high shear dispersion zone.
The combination of high shear and vacuum disperses them instantly and completely when they first come into contact with the liquid phase. The intensity of power per volume is 30,000 times higher. The shear rate is 1,000 times faster. As a major benefit, much finer dispersions and huge quality improvements compared to conventional technologies are achieved in a single pass and in a fraction of a second. Because the new inline process is so fast and so concentrated, the increase in temperature during a single pass is less than one degree.
The results are highest quality dispersions with proven and significant savings in production time, costs, raw materials, energy consumption, labour and floor space. In the production of colourants and tinting pastes, the subsequent bead milling process can be eliminated or significantly reduced. The technology offers maximum flexibility and variability in batch sizes, products and their formulations.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Dr. Hans-Joachim Jacob - Senior Expert Process and Applications
Company/Organization: ystral

Reflective cool roof coatings are used worldwide to lower roof temperatures, enhance occupant comfort, reduce cooling costs for building owners, and mitigate urban heat island effects. The effectiveness of these coatings lies in their ability to reflect the sun’s rays rather than absorb them as heat. The reflectivity of a coating is typically highest when it is first applied. However, reflectivity diminishes over time due to factors like dirt accumulation, asphalt bleed-through, and algae growth. The components of an acrylic roof coating formulation play a crucial role in maintaining the coating’s whiteness and reflectivity over time. This presentation will examine how different formulation components affect roof coating reflectivity, aiming to identify the most influential components for sustaining cool roofs. Coating formulators can use this knowledge to enhance the performance and longevity of their acrylic cool roof coatings, ensuring they continue to provide significant benefits in terms of energy savings and environmental impact.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Andrew Balgman - Senior Chemist
Company/Organization: EPS – Engineered Polymer Solutions

Infrared reflective (IRR) pigments and dispersions can be used to significantly reduce the amount of heat absorbed by colored surfaces. Vibrantz Technologies developed “Cool Colors” to help improve building energy efficiency by reducing air conditioning (AC) consumption, improving comfort and increasing durability of exterior materials.
The pigments selection is key to maximize “cool” properties in any color formulation, and it is critical in dark colors. In the black color space, the use of innovative non-chrome-based pigments can provide significantly higher IR reflectance properties than typical PBr29 and PG17 chemistries used in “cool” applications.
But what is the effect “Cool Colors” in the cooling energy consumption of buildings?
The “cool” properties are commonly measured by the total solar reflectance or the heat build-up test. To understand the impact on real buildings, two additional studies were carried out:
– An experimental study conducted with two identical garden houses build with the exact same AC equipment inside.
– A computer modeling system that simulates different type of real buildings and climate conditions.
The results of these studies show savings of more than 20% in cooling demand and confirms that IRR pigments and dispersions can contribute to a more sustainable future.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Patrícia Pérez - Global Product Manager – CICP/Anticorrosives, Color Solutions
Company/Organization: Vibrantz Technologies

There are increasing demands for higher performance, more sustainable coatings employing more natural materials with substantial health, safety, and environmental properties. To address those challenges raw material suppliers and coatings manufacturers are increasingly turning to water-based solutions that require efficient, environmentally friendly raw materials. The science behind key wax additive technologies leading to lower carbon footprints to meet these needs will be presented.
Innovative technologies will be presented that utilize unique waxes with a focus on performance, sustainability and reduced carbon footprint. These additives are used to provide coating advantages including water and oil repellency, early water resistance, block resistance, water beading, scratch and abrasion resistance, haptic properties, matting, and both slip and anti-slip performance. Novel coating additive features will be translated into specific advantages and benefits for coating formulators and end-users.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Dr. Bruce Berglund - Sales, Business Development and Technical Support Manager
Company/Organization: CHT

This presentation introduces a proven approach to surface protection using advanced nanocomposite wax additives. We will begin with an overview of current regulatory developments related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with a focus on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)—a widely used ingredient in many surface coating additives.
In response to increasing regulatory scrutiny and the need for safer alternatives, we will present performance data demonstrating how nanocomposite wax additives can deliver enhanced coating properties. These include improved surface durability—specifically scratch and abrasion resistance—as well as lubricity

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: John McAllister - Vice President of Sales
Company/Organization: Micro Powders Inc.

Sustainability is a continuous process that requires constant evolution along the value chain, from raw material producer to coatings manufacturer. The role of the distributor is lesser known. In this talk we will explore a distributor’s contribution to sustainability in the coatings value chain. We will present our model to reduce impact in the supply chain and provide accurate data to partners. Providing accessibility to a wide portfolio is a further role of a distributor. We will outline the IMCD approach on building a sustainable portfolio that starts with evaluating a material’s sustainability advantages. A third aspect in the sustainability contribution of a distributor is formulation support. Facing requests coming from a wide variety of final applications and dealing with almost all the possible coatings technologies, the talk will use examples to better explain how a distributor can create a significant contribution to deliver, innovate, and drive adoption of sustainable solutions.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Kate Fix - Regional Sales Manager, West US
Company/Organization: IMCD Group

This presentation highlights recent advancements in HDI-based polyurethane and polyurea coating technologies tailored for transportation applications. By leveraging aliphatic isocyanate chemistries, the new formulations deliver superior mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and long-term durability—while aligning with increasingly stringent environmental regulations, including California’s 2028 low-VOC requirements.
A novel formulation approach will be presented that enables VOC levels as low as 2.1 lb/gal without the use of exempt solvents, maintaining critical performance attributes such as flexibility, adhesion, and chemical resistance. Additionally, the study explores how these next-generation coatings contribute to improved application efficiency and overall productivity for OEM and refinish sectors.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Mathias Dubecq - Business Development Director
Company/Organization: Wanhua Chemical Group

Artificial Intelligence is unlocking entirely new business models in the materials science industry. This keynote presentation will dive into how leading innovation organizations are progressing from structured data to accelerated R&D with automation and AI, then to AI-powered customer and supply chain experiences. Featuring case studies from Nouryon, Henkel, Applied Molecules, Marabu, and more, this keynote will emphasize key drivers for enabling cultural shifts and maximizing business value when executing digital transformations. 

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Nick Talken - CEO and Co-founder
Company/Organization: Albert Invent

Nick Talken is the CEO and co-founder of Albert Invent. A chemical engineer with multiple patents and publications, Nick previously co-founded and served as CTO of Molecule, a leading 3D printing materials company, where he built the first version of Albert to help his own lab team. He later led the digital transformation of R&D at Henkel, the global leader in adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings. At Albert Invent, Nick now brings over a decade of technological innovation to empower every chemist with AI-driven insights.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Dr. Patrick Lutz - 2025 Samson Adler Awardee

“Dr. Patrick Lutz is an Inorganic/Physical Chemist with a B.A. and Ph.D. from Syracuse University. He began his career at DuPont in 1969, where he spent over 25 years in Technical Service, Market Research, and Sales. In 1993, he joined Dunn-Edwards as Slurry Project Manager and later became Director of Labs, where he played a key role in regulatory engagement across Southern California.
Since 2002, Dr. Lutz has worked as the West Coast Technical Sales Representative for Engineered Polymer Solutions (EPS), specializing in architectural resins and colorants. His efforts have significantly advanced EPS’s testing programs, enhancing product performance and ensuring regulatory compliance, while also supporting VOC regulatory initiatives across North America.
An active member of the American Coatings Association, he serves on multiple councils and committees and is a past president of the Los Angeles Society for Coatings Technology. He also lectures annually at Cal Poly’s Polymers and Coatings Short Course and mentors early-career chemists.
Outside of work, Pat’s lifelong love for baseball runs deep, as he was born into the game. His father played professionally, and Pat proudly served as the team’s bat boy before stepping up to the plate himself. He went on to play at the collegiate and semi-professional levels, eventually spending two years in the minor leagues. Today, he still enjoys catching a game whenever he can. He is also an avid fan of spy and murder mysteries, especially the works of Mark Heron, and rarely misses a good whodunit. He shared over 51 years of marriage with his high school sweetheart, with whom he raised two children. Now a proud grandfather of five, Pat finds great joy in spending time with his family.”

In the Paints & Coatings industry the use of rheological additives is a must. The rheological additives are needed to avoid syneresis and decantation during storing and transportation, and to achieve the optimized viscosity during the coating application to avoid spattering and dripping from the roller or brush during manual paint application.
Earthy clay-based rheology modifiers could have a strong synergy with certain types of organic polymers boosting their rheological performance. The most used organic modified mineral rheological additives are purely a physical mix of a polymer and a clay. These cold mixes of organic and inorganic compounds, when used in water-based systems or in dry mix mortars, could get easily separated to become part of the blend of fillers, pigments, binders and other additives in the formulation, losing therefore, their synergy and rheological performance.
In this paper we will show how the next generation of natural organic modified rheological additives from Tolsa are not simply a blend of organic and inorganic components mixed but a bonded organic modified earthy clay that will keep the synergy and rheological performance during its entire shelf life and after being incorporated in a coating or mortar formulation.

Speaker: Alberto Fernández-Ibarburu - Paints, Coatings & Construction Additives Product Manager
Company/Organization: TOLSA

The demand for wet-look finishes on concrete and slate has seen a significant rise in the U.S. market, driven by aesthetic preferences, protection needs, and sustainability concerns. Although traditional solvent-based acrylic coatings effectively achieve a wet look and provide good penetration, they pose environmental and regulatory challenges associated with VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions. Acrylic latex coatings, while widely used, often fall short in terms of penetration and achieving a natural-looking wet appearance when compared to solvent borne acrylics. In contrast, new self-crosslinking waterborne emulsions have emerged as a technologically advanced alternative, offering superior film formation, durability, and gloss while maintaining low VOC content and ease of application. Recent advancements have significantly improved properties such as substrate penetration, wet-look appearance, and durability, making these emulsions suitable for both exterior and interior applications. This paper examines formulation strategies, performance characteristics, and the environmental benefits of this new emulsion for wet-look finishes. Additionally, it discusses key industry trends, including the growing shift towards eco-friendly coatings, regulatory drivers, and rising consumer demand for high-performance finishes. Through a review of recent studies and market dynamics, this research underscores the increasing significance of waterborne emulsions in shaping the future of architectural and decorative coatings.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Dr. Nitin Patil - Scientist
Company/Organization: Polynt Group

Over the past several decades we have seen stricter and stricter regulation of solvent emissions of coatings, to the point where waterborne coatings are often the best, or only solution. In addition, the REACH, TSCA, or other National environmental regulators are looking much more closely at materials that can migrate out of coatings into the environment. Some of these materials are suspected of being unhealthy and are thus targeted for elimination from the marketplace. This puts pressure on coatings manufacturers and their suppliers to continually reduce the negative environmental impact of their products.
With the latest advances in emulsion technology and with the use of copolymerizable UV absorbers (UVA’s) it is now possible to achieve higher photo-permanence and at the same time eliminate the oxidation and water extractability problems of conventional UV absorbers. This also enables extending outdoor durability requirements to the 5–10-year range.
One study illustrates a highly effective waterborne light stabilizer system for wood coatings. It can achieve better color retention with half the weight % dosage compared to current additive controls. In another study, a copolymerizable UVA gives permanent UV protection even under added solvent extraction conditions. This strategy gives improved color retention performance even under the most extreme environmental conditions.

Speaker: Dr. George Mauer - Research Scientist
Company/Organization: Chitec Technology Co.

South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is the most progressive district setting VOC rules in North America to protect the environment and public health. Many regions in the USA generally follow SCAQMD regulations a few years later. SCAQMD is setting deadlines for eliminating parachlorobenzotrifluoride (PCBTF) and tert-Butyl acetate (TBAC) from coatings. Since PCBTF is widely used in most low VOC coatings, it poses a significant challenge for manufacturers to meet stringent regulations.
In this paper, we briefly review the regulations and deadlines set by SCAQMD. We describe various chemistries available to find solutions, including solventborne 2K, waterborne 1K, waterborne 2K, polyurea, unsaturated polyester technology, radiation cure, and Michael addition chemistry. After outlining the merits and deficiencies of each, we provide examples of chemistries capable of meeting SCAQMD requirements. These examples are supported by coating performance data, accelerated weathering tests with Xenon weathering tester, crosslink density by DMTA, and cure kinetics by IR spectroscopy. This information equips coating chemists to tackle the challenging regulations.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Dr. Gautam Haldankar - Technical Manager
Company/Organization: allnex

Ultraviolet (UV) and electron beam (EB) applications, along with their associated colorants, have been integral to various industries since the 1960s. Traditionally, these colorants have primarily been used in coatings for digital printing, automotive film wraps, vending machines, advertising substrates, wood coatings, and nail polish, among others.
Newer markets have emerged to incorporate colorants that cure within specific wavelengths or electron energy sources. This presentation will showcase new markets such as window frames, furniture coatings and sandpaper in comparison to incumbent UV technology.
This review highlights the market and manufacturing challenges faced by UV/EB-cured materials, particularly colorants. Despite these challenges, the advantages of UV/EB energy-cure technology—such as faster cure times, reduced manufacturing space, lower VOC emissions and enhanced process flexibility—make it a compelling choice. Additionally, the key properties that successful colorants must possess in this evolving market are examined.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Jerry Powers - Technical Manager, Americas Color Solutions
Company/Organization: Vibrantz Technologies

Spherical precipitated silica has been demonstrated to enhance burnish and scrub resistance in interior architectural paints, and more recently, to improve the abrasion and scratch resistance of clear, matte wood coatings. Despite anecdotal evidence suggesting that both matting and durability improve with larger particle sizes, the question remains: Are larger particles always better?
This paper investigates the influence of increasing particle size on the performance of spheroidal precipitated silica, including a newly developed larger particle size variant, in enhancing the wet scrub, burnish, scuff, stain, and mar resistance of architectural paints. Furthermore, it examines how particle size affects the hardness and flexibility of powder coatings, as well as the effectiveness of these innovative silicas in matting both liquid and powder coatings.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Ingrid Meier - Head of Applied Research & Technology, Decorative Coatings Americas
Company/Organization: Evonik Corporation

Automation and machine learning are shaping the future of research and development (R&D). The coating industry is no exception, and at BASF we are leveraging these technologies to enhance our R&D processes. Specifically, we are utilizing advanced automation and digital tools to selectively expand and improve the quality of our data, laying a solid data foundation for ongoing and future AI driven coatings solutions. We have demonstrated that coupling design of experiments and machine learning streamlines polymer development, enabling efficient engineering of polymer performance. Congruently, these same techniques are directly amenable to formulation development, empowering the design of new formulation solutions in a data-driven manner. This talk will showcase recent examples of data-driven polymer and formulation development for rapidly engineering new coatings solutions.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Xin Li - Senior Scientist II
Company/Organization: BASF Corporation

The utilization of a modified water-based wax dispersion for gloss reduction can offer numerous advantages over a traditional silica matting agent. This presentation will explore the benefits both from a performance and manufacturing perspective including application data, comparing various materials used for gloss reduction.
The performance benefits include good matting efficiency, less discrepancy between 60° and 85° gloss readings and improved burnish and Taber abrasion resistance. The manufacturing benefits include ease of incorporation, greater consistency and reduced processing time. Using a water-based dispersion for gloss reduction also eliminates the need for dust containment systems and cumbersome respiratory equipment in manufacturing facilities.
This presentation will summarize the benchwork and application testing leading to the development of this new flattening paste additive.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Thomas Kinlin
Company/Organization: Shamrock

Polyurethane is widely used as an organic binder in the coatings industry to protect surfaces from wear, corrosion, and weathering. These coatings can be formulated to enhance both aesthetic and functional properties of the substrate. Incorporating nanoparticles as fillers to polyurethane formulations paves the way for improved mechanical, barrier, antimicrobial, and anticorrosive properties due to their high specific surface area. Nanocarbon materials, such as 0D carbon dots, 1D carbon nanotubes and 2D graphene, are commonly used in functional polyurethane coatings. Particularly, 2D graphene and its derivatives are renowned for their impressive barrier properties. However, these nanoparticles typically exhibit poor compatibility with the polyurethane binder. In this study, we explore covalent bonding approaches to surface-modify graphene with various functional ligands to enhance interfacial interactions between nanocarbons and polyurethane. Four polyurethane coatings are formulated with different functionalities of 2D graphene. Compared to control polyurethane coatings, those with surface-modified 2D graphene show significant improvements in thermal, mechanical and anticorrosive properties. A possible mechanism is proposed to interpret our findings, which may provide a fundamental understanding of nano-enabled functional polymer coatings.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Dr. Shanju Zhang - Professor
Company/Organization: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Cal Poly-SLO

For thirty years, secondary amine chemistry has been employed to offer coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers with unique properties to include: one-coat application at thicknesses to optimize long-term durability, color stability to UV exposure, high abrasion resistance and low volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), to name four. Over the years, materials based on this technology have been modified to impart varying characteristics. With each alteration comes an impact on the final product, which requires thorough testing to ensure suitability of the system for a specified application. The presentation shares laboratory results of employing materials within a polyaspartic coating to impart varying speeds of reaction and the use of Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) to deliver understanding as to the impact on properties to the system when implementing formula variables.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: John Winfrey - Director – Systems and Dispersions
Company/Organization: Pflaumer Brothers, Inc.

Due to the heightened awareness about global warming and ever rising energy costs, there is a need to extend solar reflective technologies beyond roofs and pavements to other surfaces such as exterior walls. In this study, two different coatings, exterior architectural formulation and a direct-to-metal (DTM) formulation, were used to quantify the enhancement of solar reflectance when formulated with commercial materials such as hollow-spherical inorganic and organic particulate fillers and mixed-metal-oxide black and other color pigments designed for this purpose. In addition to solar reflectance, other key properties of the coatings both at wet state and as dry films are monitored. The mixed-metal-oxides yielded highest improvements in solar reflectance. Results of this study should enable formulators to select solar reflective materials that will allow retention of important coating properties while providing the benefit of solar reflectance.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Ray Fernando, PhD - Director
Company/Organization: Cal Poly’s Kenneth N Edwards Western Coatings Technology Center

Most organic pigments are based on carbon (non-renewable) driven raw materials. Now with the improved technology, many of the high-performance polycyclic pigments (quinacridones) are synthesized from bio-based raw materials. These pigments have the same clean shades, and high performance necessary for brilliant shades, but with much lower carbon footprint. Options for PFAS free pigments are there to meet all regulations.
Most inorganic pigments are metal oxides and have relatively low carbon footprint, almost ¼ compared to organic pigments. These have lower cost of use, and excellent fastness (solvent, chemical and weather resistance) properties. High opacity and good rheological behavior make inorganic pigments ideal candidates for blends with high chroma organic pigments to achieve specific shades. Such blends are sustainable, have higher performance & lower carbon footprint and of much lower cost of use.
Dissolver dispersible organic and inorganic pigments reduce manufacturing cost (much lower dispersion time). Pigment dispersions offer another option for quick and lower cost of manufacturing. Optimum pigment dispersions reduce the number of colorants necessary for both in-plant and POS formulations. In addition, quick color matching and durability & opacity options are possible, also meeting environmental standards.
Paint formulations with dissolver dispersible organic & inorganic pigments and dispersions are sustainable, durable and cost effective. This approach leads to low carbon footprint and sustainable paint manufacturing. Furthermore, on quality first time, reduces paint waste. Real examples for RAL and other standard shades will also be discussed.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Dr. Romesh Kumar - New Business Development Manager
Company/Organization: SUDARSHAN Chemical Industries

In a world marked by climate change, resource scarcity and limited recycling, we strive to become the premium supplier of sustainable carbon black solutions, enabling our customers to contribute to a healthier planet and a more circular economy.
Up until now, the carbon black industry has been dependent on conventional fossil feedstocks. We recognize the opportunities that investments in innovative and sustainable products and technologies have to offer. They contribute to our goal of launching a broad range of products using recycled materials. To reach our goal and reduce our dependency on fossil feedstocks significantly, we are focusing on three aspects:
• DECARBONIZATION of our production process to be able to provide renewable carbon black
• RECYCLING – e.g., through manufacturing carbon black from oil made from end-of-life tires
• INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS for a low-carbon economy
Environmentally friendly and sustainable coating systems have become major innovation drivers in the global coatings industry. Consequently, powder coatings, ultra-high solid and water-borne coating systems have exhibited lower environmental impact with healthy growth potentials. For this, we will introduce these trends, innovations and opportunities.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Jaelene Matos - Technical Marketing Manager- Coatings
Company/Organization: Orion S.A.

Effective wetting of solid substrates is a key factor for the performance of water-based industrial coatings. The role of substrate wetting agents in enhancing the performance of a wide range of coatings, including those based on conventional and eco-friendly chemistries, is becoming increasingly significant.
Ashland has developed a new class of Easy-Wet™ super wetting surfactants for water-based industrial coatings. These surfactants, derived from innovative carbon-based chemistry, offer control over both static and dynamic surface tension, demonstrating superior or comparable wetting characteristics to silicone-based super wetting agents. In certain applications, these new carbon-based wetting agents can replace fluorinated surfactants.
This presentation will explore the essential properties for enhanced wetting behavior through a comparative evaluation of silicone-free and silicone-based surfactants on various substrates. The data will illustrate that Easy-Wet™ additives provide a unique combination of improved wetting, low foaming, and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, the low volatile organic compounds (VOC) content and biodegradability of these additives support the development of sustainable, environmentally friendly coatings.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Dr. Bruce Fillipo
Company/Organization: Ashland

Powder coatings offer numerous benefits over traditional liquid coatings, making them an important option in various industrial applications. This presentation will provide an introduction to powder coatings, focusing on their composition, application methods, and key advantages. We will explore the chemistry behind powder coatings and how different formulations can achieve specific performance characteristics such as special aesthetics, toughness, durability, and weather resistance. Additionally, we will discuss the coating process and the importance of selecting the right resin for different applications. We will also look at the latest advancements in powder coating technology, such as low-temperature curing and superdurable coatings, and how these innovations are shaping the future of the industry. This overview aims to enhance understanding of powder coatings and their diverse applications across multiple sectors.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Frederick Cummings - Technical Service Manager for Polyester Powder Coatings
Company/Organization: Synthomer

This talk will focus on the latest technologies available to coatings formulators to improve the sustainability, lower VOC, as well as improving the performance of the coating formulation.
Pigment dispersion and improved stabilization to prevent flocculation and their color appearance issues will be discussed. Alternative materials to the typical glycols used for preventing rapid loss of water from aqueous pigment pastes and coatings formulations will be discussed. Actual formulations will be offered showing superior performance with these alternative materials.
Since APE based surfactants have been the predominate surfactant chemistry in use for architectural coatings, this talk will present an APE free alternative that improves resistance to color change on rub-up during curing process. This alternative is bio-based and will improve your sustainability initiatives.
The third technology this talk will offer is the ability to lower applied VOC of standard solvent borne alkyd formulations. Incorporation of this specialty additive will allow your typical solvent borne alkyd formulation to be reduced with 30% water without loss of stability, loss of properties, application properties and maintain dry times.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Dhaval Rana - Technical Service/ Lab Manager
Company/Organization: Patcham USA

LANXESS has innovated a series of multifunctional coalescents designed to improve coating performance while significantly reducing VOC levels. With stricter regulations on VOC limits and red-listed performance additives such as those containing PFAS, new alternatives are continually being developed to address these issues; however, they often fall short in critical performance aspects. This is especially evident in industrial applications such as direct-to-metal (DTM), where rapid property development is essential to streamline production processes. The new coalescents from LANXESS are efficient, provide early hardness development, maintain excellent block resistance and most notably improve water resistance, all while achieving considerably lower VOC levels compared to conventional high VOC options.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Kyle Posselt - R&D Applications Chemist
Company/Organization: LANXESS

Every manufacturer is hearing about the “Industrial Internet of Things” (IIoT) or Industry 4.0 and, of course, Artificial Intelligence (AI) – and their promise to revolutionize how we make products. So, if you ask any expert, “What parameters should I actually be controlling?” you’ll often get a quick “All of them!” answer. But that’s a cop-out. It’s easy to say, but it isn’t practical.
The fact is, despite the proliferation of sensing technologies that have endowed us with the ability to monitor virtually every aspect of our environment and process, implementing these comes with a cost. It’s not just about the sensors themselves. It’s also about the supporting network. And the processing. And the effort and energy costs. Unfortunately, these often get ignored during the upfront planning stages, and this can result in some significant surprises on the back end of the project.
Moreover, the hype and promise of AI has a powerful allure, which can only be realized if truly understood and carefully implemented – and when it comes to AI, data is king.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Mike Bonner - Vice President of Engineering & Technology
Company/Organization: Saint Clair Systems, Inc.

This paper explores a bio-based stabilizer known as colloidal microcrystalline cellulose (cMCC), which primarily consists of natural microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The study looked at how cMCC can stabilize paint formulations and prevent TiO2 dispersions from settling. It also compared cMCC with other chemicals used to modify the rheology of the paint.
cMCC excels in the studies as a rheology modifier, stabilizer and suspending agent. Various rheological, stability and applications tools were used in the studies. When added into the existing poorly-stabilized formulations, the formulation stability was significantly improved, while the color and other application attributes were maintained. The special benefit of greatly improving coating stability without significant changes on viscosity and color makes it an easy tool to fix formulation issues. These performance characteristics make cMCC a versatile stabilization solution to all waterborne formulations.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Dr. Hui Shirley Yang - Application Development and Innovation Leader
Company/Organization: Roquette

Intumescent coatings have attracted significant attention in recent years. Traditionally recognized as passive fire protection for structural steel in high-rise buildings, there is now growing interest in their application to other substrates, such as wood, due to the increasing use of wood in construction. The heightened incidence of wildfires has further underscored the necessity for enhanced fire protection measures. While no material is entirely fireproof, intumescent coatings can significantly slow the spread of fire, thereby providing critical escape time during emergencies. This presentation will deliver a thorough examination of intumescent coatings, encompassing their formulation, current applications, and future developments.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Terri John - Technical Service Manager for Coatings
Company/Organization: Synthomer

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been widely used across various industries because of their ability to significantly lower the surface tension in liquids and the surface energy of coatings. These properties are crucial as they prevent paint films from sticking together when surfaces come into contact. This blocking issue is prevalent particularly around doors and windows, or when stacking painted parts.
However, the use of PFAS has raised concerns due to their potential environmental and health impacts. Their persistence in the environment and tendency to accumulate in both the human body and the ecosystem may lead to adverse health effects.
Ashland has developed an innovative solution by creating a series of blocking additives that are designed to replace PFAS in waterborne coating applications. These additives provide similar performance benefits without the associated environmental and health risks. The new blocking additives maintain a higher surface energy than PFAS, which improves recoatability.
This presentation will detail the properties and advantages of these blocking additives by examining key data. The performance attributes will be highlighted on dirt pickup resistance (DPUR), recoatability, stain and scrub resistance, and substrate wetting.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Dr. Max Staver - Staff Scientist
Company/Organization: Ashland

Traditional analysis of the weathering impact on coated surfaces is a labor-intensive undertaking, predominantly necessitating human-generated subjective scorings for a myriad of features. At BASF, we are developing custom Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions for the automated scoring and analysis of weathering board images with minimal human supervision. By leveraging pretrained computer vision models and unsupervised AI techniques, we can identify relevant metrics that robustly quantify a host of weather induced coating defects. This significantly reduces the need for manual efforts to evaluate coatings, which are typically error-prone, subjective, and limited in scale. These precise quantitative metrics empower coating formulators to improve and concentrate downstream analyses of coating characteristics. In the long-term, these types of AI solutions could prove useful in optimizing coating formulations for different applications.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Dr. Tolutola Oyetunde
Company/Organization: BASF Corporation

A newly developed multifunctional additive system, combining a broad-range pH buffer with a chitosan-based biopolymer complex, introduces a novel approach to microbial stabilization in water-based formulations. This system ensures pH control across a wide range (6–10) while physically inhibiting microbial activity through a non-lethal absorption mechanism. It encapsulates microorganisms – bacteria, fungi, and viruses—preventing reproduction without cellular damage. This eliminates the need for conventional in-can preservatives and avoids biocidal labeling requirements. Applications in coatings, adhesives, and household products have shown effective performance at low dosages (0.6–1.6%) without compromising formulation stability. This sustainable and regulation-friendly solution offers formulators a reliable, label-free alternative for next-generation product development.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Ralph Woerheide - Industrial Engineer
Company/Organization: Metromation Inc. / NASOTIC Inc.

With increasing formulation complexity and demand for clean, efficient manufacturing, the coatings industry faces a growing need for adaptable, contamination-free, and highly repeatable processing techniques at scale. This presentation explores an innovative bladeless dual asymmetric centrifugal processing method, emphasizing its role in transforming how adhesives, UV-curable coatings, architectural finishes, and aerospace or like materials are developed and produced.
The technique enables high-speed, blade or paddle-free mixing of liquids, powders, and viscous materials—without introducing bubbles or requiring post-processing cleanup. Using containerized batching and programmable acceleration profiles, developers can optimize dispersion, homogenization, and deaeration in a single step. This is especially beneficial in sustainability-driven formulations and moisture/oxygen-sensitive chemistries.
Data from real-world manufacturing environments will be shared to demonstrate the method’s impact on consistency, throughput, and safety. We’ll also discuss its alignment with lean manufacturing and digitalization initiatives, including automation and feedback control.
This session will appeal to chemists, process engineers, and operations managers seeking scalable solutions that reduce/eliminate variability, minimize material waste, and improve process efficiency—especially for next-generation coating and adhesive systems.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Bob Umland - Global Director of Sales and Marketing
Company/Organization: FlackTek™

Stabilizers, such as organic UV-absorbers (UVA), sterically hindered amines (HALS), and antioxidants (AO) find widespread use as coatings additives to prevent degradation during outdoor weathering and/or thermal exposure. In water-based (WB) coatings, many of the well-established non-polar stabilizers are difficult to incorporate due to insolubility and/or incompatibility with the aqueous coating or paint formulations. Getting a stable uniform mixture, leading to homogeneous coating formulations upon storage and use without separation of stabilizers is critical. Several undesired phenomena such as sedimentation, and exudation may occur if the stabilizers are incompatible in WB coatings, leading to inadequate protection, or even detrimental coating performance.
A new emulsification technology was developed to make traditional stabilizers water dispersible. Optimized combination of several synergistic water-based UVA/HALS blends were designed to meet varying enduse performance expectations of different waterborne coating formulations. A water-based antioxidant was also developed to improve performance of water-based coatings under high thermal exposure.
A new waterborne non migrating light stabilizer system, containing a reactable non-basic HALS and a reactable photo permanent UV absorber was developed, for use in waterborne one component acrylic melamine coatings and waterborne two component acrylic/ polyisocyanate crosslinked coatings. This unique stabilizer system was designed to prevent migration issues in WB plastic coatings. It could also meet the high performance and durability requirements of water-based automotive and industrial coatings.
These new water-based light stabilizers and antioxidants thereby address the VOC and HAPS concerns, while maintaining the efficacy of conventional additives with the benefits of water miscibility, ease of incorporation and handling.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Steven Lee - Senior Commercial Manager of Coating
Company/Organization: Rianlon Corporation

Waterborne acrylic polymers are one of the dominant resin technologies used in architectural exterior coatings. While they offer excellent UV resistance, hydrolytic stability and good durability, harmful additives like PFAS and benzophenone have typically been incorporated in formulas to enhance the performance to meet extreme outside conditions. There is growing concern for such additives which has led Alberdingk Boley to develop a more environmentally friendly binder that can withstand harsh elements outside but not pollute the environment. In efforts to better understand the competitive landscape of exterior flat coatings, thirteen commercial controls were attained and benchmarked against two newly developed Alberdingk Boley products formulated near zero VOC. Many properties have been examined including opacity strength, hardness development, low temperature coalescence, early rain and humidity resistance, adhesion to multiple substrates, scrub and accelerated dirt pick up resistance and accelerated weathering via QUV. A range of performance was exhibited with the Alberdingk candidates matching or exceeding performance without the use of PFAS or benzophenone additives.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Ivan Tyre - Technical Service Chemist
Company/Organization: Alberdingk Boley, Inc.

The drive towards a more sustainability economy has become a pivotal strategy across the coatings industry. Nowhere is this more apparent than the removal of so-called “forever chemicals” from consumer products. The architectural coatings industry is no stranger to this shift, as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have come under considerable scrutiny for formulation removal. While it is understandable that there is a desire to remove PFAS-containing materials from paints, the reality is that these materials provide significant value to formulators, specifically when looking at combatting the tendency of paint films to stick together (block resistance). This presentation will address some of the challenges of converting to a world where “no intentionally added per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances” is becoming the standard expectation in the supply chain. It will focus on maximizing performance through formulation variables without PFAS chemistry and provide general guidance for those who may be interested in achieving equivalent performance to PFAS-containing formulations.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Ashley Gong - TS&D scientist
Company/Organization: Dow Chemical Company

The selection of wetting and dispersing agents in pigment concentrate formulations is a non-trivial task. The vast array of available products and technologies, coupled with a frequent lack of adequate technical information, makes the formulator’s job extensive, intricate, time-consuming, and inefficient due the lack of rationalization in the use of these additives. The present study aims to demonstrate how the use, development, and implementation of physicochemical methodologies, combined with digital tools and high throughput screening, can generate highly useful data for formulators in the additive selection and formula optimization process, making it faster, smarter, and more efficient. The first and most comprehensive part of the work illustrates how physicochemical techniques and parameters applied to surfactants can be utilized in the selection of wetting and dispersing agents. The second part of the work is focused on the development of a method to create adsorption isotherms and on their use. This data is extremely valuable as it allows for comparisons between additives from different technologies even when the chemical structure is unknown. The final part of the work aims to apply Hansen solubility parameters (HSP) to evaluate the compatibility of wetting or dispersing agents with pigments. The current focus is on using high throughput screening to determine the HSP values of a variety of wetting and dispersing agents – such as surfactants and polymerics with or without charges. The last goal of the work is to provide initial data on the HSP parameters determination and compatibility simulations to then correlate with experimental performance data of pigment concentrates.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Michael Praw - Technical Service and Development Manager
Company/Organization: Indorama Ventures – Indovinya

Cobalt and certain Cobalt compounds have been determined to be possibly carcinogenic to humans and are therefore being reclassified under CMR Cat. 1B. Due to these health concerns, legislators worldwide are targeting chemicals of concern. Allnex has launched a new, fully Cobalt-free Driers for solvent-borne and water-based oxidative drying paint systems. These ‘next-generation’ dryers are highly efficient for setting and through-drying of alkyd paints used in both decorative and industrial applications. Deployed in modern air-drying formulations, they not only fully comply with regulations but also exceed them, instilling confidence in their safety. They are free from hazardous labeling and have low VOC levels.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Marcus Hutchins - Americas Business Development Manager
Company/Organization: allnex

As scrutiny of chemicals used in consumer products increases it can become a challenge to maintain safety performance without access to traditional chemistries that have fallen out of favor. One example of this dilemma is fire retardant coatings, where halogen containing additives may no longer be acceptable. A strategy for incorporating acrylic phosphate monomers into coatings resins to impart flame retardancy to underlying flammable substrates is outlined for a wood coating, including proof-of-concept flammability test results. Additionally, highly dispersant binders may be synthesized using this chemistry, allowing formulation of waterborne transparent and colorless intumescent coatings. Such an approach is potentially useful to ensuring fire safety and code compliance of engineered wood structural building components, enabling them to be designed to also impart decorative features.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Michael Webb - Technical Service Manager – Specialty Methacrylates
Company/Organization: Evonik

Digitalization and AI are reshaping the coatings industry by enabling accelerated innovation and reduced time to market. Key challenges, however, include the high-dimensional design space of coatings and the barrier for structuring complex data to be AI-ready. With a modern data management tool, companies can leverage AI to rapidly meet regulatory and sustainability requirements, facilitate material replacements for supply chain resiliency, optimize key performance properties, and reduce costs.

This presentation will feature success stories from Henkel, Nouryon, Applied Molecules, and more that demonstrate how a unified R&D platform can simplify the generation of AI-ready data, drive collaboration across thousands of scientists, and streamline formulation workflows. We will share specific examples of reducing development cycles from months to days, pushing product performance beyond historical limits, and unlocking an entirely new way of transacting business online. Regardless of how far along your organization is in its digital transformation, this session will offer practical use cases and key considerations for implementing an end-to-end R&D platform to modernize the way scientists invent coatings.

Speaker: Jon Weis - Director of Solutions Architecture
Company/Organization: Albert Invent

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which are commonly used for their water-, stain- and grease-resistant properties, are facing increasing regulatory restrictions due to their environmental persistence and links to serious health risks. The two categories of PFAS materials with the most urgent need for replacement in coatings are polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and fluorosurfactants. In both cases, the greatest challenge to replacement is matching the performance attributes that these fluorochemicals bring to a formulation. This presentation will outline the keys to successful replacement of PFAS in coatings by identifying and testing alternative additives that replicate benefits associated with PFAS such as surface slip, abrasion resistance, anti-block properties, and dirt pickup resistance, while preserving other critical properties of the original formulations. We will provide examples of PFAS-free additives, including wax additives and wetting agents, that have successfully matched or exceeded these attributes across multiple applications.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Catherine Vitale - CCA Applications Manager
Company/Organization: MÜNZING North America

Fumed hydrophobic silica has been historically employed as a thickener in polar systems such as epoxy and one-component adhesives due to its very high surface area to volume ratio. It has been shown that small-particle precipitated hydrophobic silica, with a particle size between 3-5 µm can offer similar results to that of fumed hydrophobic silica in certain substrates. Either used alone or mixed with fumed hydrophobic silica, precipitated hydrophobic silica through polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) treatment can provide tailored results in siloxane elastomers & polyesters and epoxy substrates.

Hydrophobic silica is created through the reaction of a silicon dioxide particle and PDMS under controlled atmosphere and heat. Large loadings of PDMS, specifically greater than 15% by weight over the silicon dioxide particle ensure low water content, lower moisture absorption and high surface area making an ideal rheology control aid or thixotropic filler. Small-particle precipitated hydrophobic silica provides an economical rheological alternative compared to fumed hydrophobic silica. Results of precipitated hydrophobic silica in one-component room-temperature vulcanizing adhesive show similar results for volume expansion, strength, and anti-sag properties compared to fumed silica. Adding small-particle precipitated hydrophobic silica to an unmodified epoxy resin gave similar rheology benefits compared to fumed hydrophobic silica.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Paul Hartzler - Business Development Manager
Company/Organization: Applied Material Solutions

The emulsification of resins used in solvent-based coatings into water is a crucial strategy for developing environmentally friendlier water-based coatings. This work focuses on developing a special solvent and optimizing emulsifier compositions to reduce the viscosity of medium-in-oil alkyd resins, enabling their emulsification through phase inversion using low shear mixing equipment, and producing emulsions with particle size below 400 nm. The prototype of an environmentally friendly solvent, designed for having Hansen Solubility Parameters (HSP) close to the ones of the alkyd resins, effectively decreases the viscosity of medium-in-oil alkyd resin at 80°C, the emulsification temperature, as confirmed by rheological measurements. A small amount (5 wt%) of this solvent reduced the viscosity by approximately 60%. The emulsifier compositions include a special nonionic emulsifier designed for alkyd resin emulsification and a conventional anionic emulsifier. Interfacial tension evaluation between a model oil phase containing the emulsifier composition and water was used to select the most effective emulsifier compositions for reducing the interfacial tension, crucial for successful emulsification. The interfacial tension results indicated that compositions rich in the nonionic emulsifier could reduce the interfacial tension at 40°C from 18 mN/m to nearly 0 mN/m. Based on the interfacial tension results, three compositions rich in the nonionic emulsifier were evaluated. The emulsions had solid content around 49%, particle size between 200 – 300nm and they generated paints with drying time ranging between 3 – 5 hours.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Bruno Soares Dário - TS&D Scientist for Coatings
Company/Organization: Indorama Ventures – Indovinya

The market demand to replace dyne pens for faster, more accurate contact angle and surface energy results which can be made directly in production has fueled the development of sophisticated portable, handheld contact angle goniometers. These devices are growing in popularity and allow immediate measurement of contact angle and surface energy requiring minimal operator expertise or training. However, the question arises as to how results obtained using a handheld device with two test liquids will compare in accuracy and repeatability to the more traditional, lab-scale devices which offer the ability to make high-speed movie measurements of droplet spreading and use as many as three or even four different test liquids. This lecture will compare and contrast contact angle and surface energy results obtained using both a handheld versus a lab-style research-grade contact angle goniometer. Real-world advantages and disadvantages of these two types of measurement devices will be presented.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Paul Simutis - Applications & Technical Support Manager
Company/Organization: DataPhysics Instruments USA

AI and AI-driven DOE are now being used in real-time at the bench by chemists and materials scientists, enabling a dramatic leap forward from a productivity perspective.

Innovation and R&D Teams want to be able to:
Explore a problem space holistically, while still creating the most efficient test plans possible.
Leverage formulation recommendations with high predictive accuracy of technical and functional performance targets.
Do all this without a data science or statistics degree.

Once deployed, the business benefits of AI and AI-driven DOE are tremendous. They are reducing product development timelines, increasing market responsiveness, and accelerating time to revenue.

The presentation will cover:
What constitutes AI-ready data
Demonstrate how AI model building and statistical test planning can happen in real-time at the bench
Conclude with two case studies, so the audience can see examples of actual problems and how they were addressed.

Speaker: Sasha Novakovich - CEO
Company/Organization: Alchemy

Wood and artificial veneer industries play a significant role in the U.S. coatings market. Despite being primarily used indoors, wooden furniture and architectural items near windows remain susceptible to yellowing due to UV light exposure. This study examines the impact of UV radiation on the discoloration of artificial veneers and natural wood. Veneer samples were irradiated under a Xenon lamp with selective UV filters blocking wavelength at above 400nm, 370nm, 340nm, and 300nm, respectively. Color change (∆E) measurements identified UV radiation as the primary cause of yellowing, with the 370–340 nm range exerting the most significant effect.
Furthermore, this study not only evaluated the effect of lignin protector in several different solvents as pre-treatment on various wood types, but also found the best solution for artificial veneer and evaluated the effect of tannic protector on wood. Results indicated the lignin protector mixed in isopropyl alcohol outperformed formulations with butylcarbitol. Pre-treatment was found to be more effective in softwoods because of the higher lignin content in softwoods (25–35%) compared to hardwoods (18–25%).
The 10% tannic acid protective agent mixed with IPA also successfully reduced the color change value from 7.9 to 2.2 after QUV-340nm accelerated light exposure. The two tannic acid protective agents are also effective in solvent-based and water-based coatings over wood

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Dr. I-Chyang Lin - Senior Technical Director
Company/Organization: Everlight Chemical Industrial Corporation

Dry to Liquid Spectral Mapping
In order to convert spectral measurement data read from a dry sample into virtual spectral data of the same material measured as liquid film an artificial intelligence (AI) model has been trained using a newly developed specific error function.
Technical realization
Using a software module encapsulating the above AI model, a virtual liquid twin is deduced from the spectral measurement of a given dry standard for which a color development is requested. This digital twin can be used as a virtual standard for color matching in the liquid state using dynamic liquid color measurement (LCM).
Business benefit
Only color development using spectral data allows selection of the most appropriate color components to limit the risk of metamerism. Transferring color development from the dry into the liquid state eliminates the need for application, introducing a great part of the process error, and drying, consuming a great amount of energy, for each development step (hit) and thereby accelerates the process significantly.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Oliver Korten - Colour/Data Scientist
Company/Organization: ORONTEC GmbH & Co. KG

The demand for high-performance matte coatings continues to grow, particularly in the architectural and decorative wood coatings segment, where consumers increasingly seek both aesthetic appeal and durability. Traditional silica-based matting agents, while effective at reducing gloss, often compromise key performance attributes such as mar, scratch, and burnish resistance. A novel polyethylene-based micronized multifunctional additive has been developed to address these limitations, delivering not only comparable matting properties to silica but also offering superior durability and enhanced surface performance. Key benefits include significantly improved mar and abrasion resistance, enhanced stain resistance, and increased burnish resistance in both clear and pigmented coatings. Additionally, this new additive features lower oil absorption, reducing binder demand and maintaining paint film strength. The wax-based technology also delivers higher clarity and better anti-settling properties. This presentation will review the performance benefits observed in waterborne acrylic systems, supported by comparative data across multiple test conditions, and explore its potential to meet unmet market needs for durable, high-performance matte finishes.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Michael Jablon - Technical Manager for Coatings, Inks, and Adhesives
Company/Organization: Honeywell

Double Bond Chemical introduces innovative excimer-curable resin products engineered to create ultra-matte, skin-feel coatings with superior performance. Utilizing the advanced 254nm excimer curing process, these resins form a soft-touch, highly durable surface with exceptional resistance to stains, scratches, and fingerprints. Unlike conventional matting techniques, this method relies on physical matting rather than chemical matting agents, ensuring a consistent and high-quality finish.
DM oligomer is a Polyurethane acrylic resin designed for use in matte paint formulations, offering excellent adhesion, hardness, and smooth texture on ABS and PC substrates. optimized for PETG film applications, delivers outstanding matte properties and flexibility while maintaining high durability. The curing process involves a multi-step approach, incorporating LED pre-curing, excimer exposure, and final mercury lamp curing to achieve optimal surface properties.
This presentation will provide a detailed overview of the excimer curing technology, formulation recommendations, and performance evaluations of DM oligomer.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Wade Wang - Regional Sales Manager
Company/Organization: Double Bond Chemical USA

While paint primarily provides color and surface protection, primers serve to address various surface issues such as high porosity, stains, odors, uneven textures, and adhesion problems. Selecting the right primer is essential, as it must align with the specific condition of the surface to ensure effective coating application. However, differing recommendations from manufacturers on specialty primers for various substrates can lead to confusion.
To clarify these dynamics, we tested several primers designed for different surfaces to understand how primers interact with topcoats. Our findings highlighted significant improvements in coating performance with primers, emphasizing the importance of primer chemistry and formulation in achieving optimal results.
A universal bonding primer, in particular, simplifies the process by offering strong adhesion across multiple substrates, reducing the need for multiple specialty products. Its added benefits, such as enhanced stain blocking, improved water resistance, and superior durability, help users achieve exceptional results while minimizing the complexities of choosing the right primer for each substrate.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Yasmin Akoum-Nassar - Technical Specialist
Company/Organization: BASF Corporation

This paper is an expansion on the recent improvements to our PVB-based Dispersions. Previously, Shark Solutions partnered with ChemQuest Technology Institute (CQTI) to perform a blind study in order to evaluate interior architectural wall paint formulations with binder systems composed of or containing recycled polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This study showed PVB to perform competitively against a control as well as 2 commercially available off-the-shelf paints using binders composed of Styrene Acrylic and pure Acrylic chemistries. PVB is recycled from laminated windshield and building glass and upcycled into Water Borne dispersions (SharkDispersions™) offering superior properties based on their chemistry. SharkDispersions™ also allow for low (down to <1 g/L calculated) VOC paint formulations that do not need to rely on coalescing agents. Recently, there have been several developments to improve the profile of SharkDispersions™. Shark Solutions commissioned a new lifecycle analysis of it’s production process to provide carbon footprint data on it’s products. There are also environmental product declarations (EPD) for our dispersions. SharkDispersionSX™ recently received the Asthma-Allergy Denmark Label as non-allergenic substances. Improvements to PVB dispersions recently also showed improved scrub resistance compared to other formulations with the ability to pass the EU Class 1 scrub resistance test.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Andrew Zudans - NA Sales Manager
Company/Organization: Shark Solutions, Inc.

As the industry rapidly advances to meet the demand for intelligent, multifunctional products, it also faces sustainability and safety challenges, driven by stricter regulations and a demand for tangible solutions.
Cargill, with decades of experience on advanced building block solutions for a wide range of polymer types and applications, has developed a high-performance product range that replaces the use of harmful isocyanates and alleviates the restrictive requirements associated with their use.
The application of this new technology enables formulators to design coatings systems, providing hardness, flexibility, chemical resistance, improved flow, and a unique combination of enhanced adhesion to various substrates.
Our next polymer generation innovation offers formulation freedom, enabling the development of new and exciting high-end applications without the use of isocyanates, particularly in electronics, automotive, and general industrial sectors.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Wolfgang Geuking - Technology Development Manager
Company/Organization: Cargill

When developing coatings, the selection of laboratory tests significantly influences the trajectory of research and development, ultimately shaping the final product. An innovative method for assessing blushing, or water whitening, in clear waterborne acrylic coatings has been developed, departing from traditional subjective comparative analysis. This new approach utilizes a timelapse setup and image analysis to evaluate the blushing behavior of coatings over time, effectively addressing many limitations of the conventional method. By capturing various detailed metrics, this method provides a more objective and reliable assessment, enhancing the accuracy of results and informing better product development decisions. This comprehensive approach can help ensure that the final product meets higher standards of quality and performance.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Matthew Andersson - Senior Chemist
Company/Organization: EPS – Engineered Polymer Solutions

Using 100% bio-based 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) as a building block in high performance resins for various coatings allows downstream coatings producers to enter the high-end market with products that combine performance with a higher sustainability profile compared to corresponding fossil-based coatings. From sustainability point of view using 100% bio-based and renewable 1,3-PDO with industrial dent corn as feedstock from the mid-west USA, might be a good opportunity for many resin and coatings producers to full-fill their sustainability goals.
Since 1,3-PDO is end-functionalized, the possibility arises to use it as an effective building block in many polymeric applications. Besides classic polyether (PO3G) and polyester polyols between 1,3-PDO and any bio-based diacids, facilitating formation of well performed PU and polyester coatings. The end functionalized 1,3-PDO can be transformed into 1,3-PDO diacrylate, 1,3-PDO dimethacrylate and 1,3-PDO-diglycidylether. The diacrylates and the di-methacrylates can be carried out as reactive diluent for any UV-cured high-end coating, including inks, while the di-functionalized 1,3-PDO diglycidylether can be carried out as a reactive diluent in epoxy applications for both coatings and composites.
This paper will provide an overview where 1,3-PDO can be used with underlying data generated in various resin and coatings systems for the industry.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: David Löf - Senior Market/Business Development Manager
Company/Organization: Primient Covation LLC

Global supply chain disruptions impacting titanium dioxide (TiO₂) availability have spurred the need for innovative solutions in the paints and coatings industry. This presentation provides a comprehensive evaluation of a new white pigment as a partial substitute for TiO₂ in cool roof coatings. The work highlighted is a product of independent testing conducted by U.S. Silica with collaborative research performed alongside Lubrizol, providing a robust assessment of the new white pigment capabilities. Results demonstrate that substituting 10%–50% of TiO₂ with the new white pigment sustains or improves critical performance metrics such as weatherability, durability, and solar reflectivity. Furthermore, the new white pigment integrates seamlessly into standard formulations, offering a cost-effective and reliable solution to mitigate supply chain risks while enhancing coating performance.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Dr. Larry Gibson - Director of Research and Development
Company/Organization: U.S. Silica Company

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) have traditionally played a crucial role in waterborne coatings, enhancing early “hot block” resistance and other performance properties due to their unique chemistry. However, with growing regulatory pressures and risk management concerns, the industry is moving away from PFAS-based additives. This transition presents a significant challenge as formulators search for sustainable alternatives that maintain performance standards.
This presentation will explore the use of novel additives that offer improved early hot block resistance without the environmental concerns linked to fluorocarbon chemistry. These APE-free and very low VOC multifunctional additives enhance colloidal stability, providing a combination of wetting, dispersing, and compatibility properties to the finished water-based coating. The data presented will showcase overall paint performance and analyze the structure/property relationships that lead to improved anti-blocking performance. This presentation is particularly valuable for formulators and researchers striving to balance performance with sustainability in the evolving field of architectural coatings.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Brian Vest - Senior Scientist
Company/Organization: Syensqo

Stringent volatile organic compound (VOC) regulations are driving the transition from high-VOC solventborne polyurethanes to low-VOC alternatives, challenging industries to balance sustainability with performance. Traditional VOC reduction strategies in solvent-borne polyurethanes—such as increasing solids content, which lowers molecular weight and compromises key performance properties, or using VOC-exempt solvents, which introduce solvency, cost, toxicity, and odor challenges—have shown significant limitations. Polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) emerge as a sustainable solution, replacing organic solvents with water, mitigating regulatory and environmental concerns. Advances in waterborne technologies now achieve equal performance to high-VOC solvent-borne systems, delivering enhanced durability and application efficiency, while complying with emission standards. Oil-modified polyurethane (OMU) dispersions further enhance properties through oxidative crosslinking, surpassing conventional dispersions in hardness, durability, and chemical resistance. This paper will focus on two recent breakthroughs in waterborne OMU. These developments include: 1) improving application efficiency and eco-friendliness by achieving high-solids with ultra-low VOC levels (≤ 100 g/L) while retaining critical performance properties; 2) pushing performance boundaries by balancing superior flexibility with exceptional hardness at low VOC levels (≤ 275 g/L), effectively resolving the traditional trade-off of these conflicting material properties, positioning it as an ideal candidate for demanding applications such as high-traffic flooring.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Dr. Pengxu Qi - Group Leader of Application Lab Testing
Company/Organization: Polynt Group

As automation technologies continue to advance, many business owners face a critical challenge: how to determine which processes to automate and where automation can deliver the greatest impact. In this session, Steven King will guide business leaders through a practical framework for identifying automation opportunities. Drawing from his extensive experience in applying robotics and AI to complex industries, King will explore how to assess which tasks are ripe for automation, the role of human-centered design in making automation successful, and how to balance human input with technological solutions. This session is designed to empower business owners to make informed decisions about where to invest in automation, whether they are in manufacturing, supply chain, hospitality, or other sectors.
Key Takeaways:
-A strategic framework for identifying the most beneficial processes to automate in your business.
-How to evaluate the ROI of automation in different sectors, from manufacturing to hospitality.
-The importance of balancing human expertise with automation for optimized performance.
-Real-world case studies showcasing successful automation implementations.
-Common pitfalls and challenges when automating business processes and how to avoid them.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Steve King - CEO
Company/Organization: Blue Sky Robotics

The requirement for VOC- and SVOC free coating systems leads to the development of new innovative additive chemistries. These are VOC-free and environmentally friendly with 100% active content.
The presentation will explain the application of newly developed additives and formulation concepts for epoxy and polyurethane based flooring systems. The application of new generation of dispersing agents, defoamers as well as surface levelling agents will be discussed in theory and practice.
The lecture will be completed introducing a new concept to formulate VOC- and labelling-free colorants prepared with a special dispersant and carrier package showing excellent compatibility with both flooring systems will be shown.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Detlef van Pey - Director Technical Marketing and Product Development
Company/Organization: CLiQ SwissTech

This presentation will discuss the use of calcium carbonate as a TiO2 extender, where it can displace 10-15% by weight of TiO2 in a decorative architectural coating without negatively impacting performance. Lab data will be provided to show how partial displacement is possible, along with optical property comparisons in terms of gloss, contrast ratio, brightness, and tint strength. The influence of particle size distribution of calcium carbonate and its impact on performance when partially displacing TiO2 will be discussed. The challenges of creating such a technology and the means to overcome hurdles such as particle agglomeration upon storage due to moisture pickup will also be reviewed. Carbon footprint values of calcium carbonate will be discussed as well, and how the overall carbon footprint of a coating can be reduced when partially displacing Titanium Dioxide with calcium carbonate.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Dino Papagianidis - Technical Service Manager
Company/Organization: Omya Inc.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become the subject of discussion as an ultra-stable group of chemical compounds. They are therefore also termed “forever chemicals”. PFAS are almost entirely non-degradable and can accumulate in the environment, in human beings, and in animals but they are widely used for their exceptional properties under widely different conditions. For all the applications in the coatings like strong reduction of surface tension, substrate wetting, anti-crater, effective defoaming, excellent scratch and abrasion resistance, etc. we have invented additives which cover these unique properties without using PFAS.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Smriti Arora - End Use Manager, North America
Company/Organization: BYK USA Inc.

Wollastonite is an acicular (rod-shaped) calcium metasilicate, which is used as a functional filler in coatings, composites, adhesives, polymers, and construction materials. Pure forms of wollastonite are white, and color depends on mineral origin and the presence of impurities.
As an additive in liquid coatings, wollastonite:
-acts as micro reinforcement, bridging cracks in the films and enhancing the mechanical resistance
-improves the durability of cured films
-buffers the pH of the system (due to its alkaline potential), both during storage and after cure
-enhances corrosion protection
In thermoplastics and in powder coatings, wollastonite:
-improves mechanical performance, such as impact resistance, tensile and flexural strength
-improves thermal and dimensional stability over broad temperature ranges
Wollastonite is thermally stable up to 2800 °F, which allows its use in high temperature applications. In particular, wollastonite is one of the few fillers that can be effectively used in weldable primers.
This paper describes the use of wollastonite in coatings and the advantages thereof.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Marcelo Herszenhaut - Business Development Manager, Coating Solutions
Company/Organization: LEHVOSS North America

The powder coating industry continues to pursue advancements in environmental safety, energy efficiency, carbon emissions, and performance properties. GMA acrylic powder coatings are renowned for their excellent weatherability, chemical resistance, clarity, and surface smoothness. Novel approaches employing the use of GMA acrylic powder technologies such as low-temperature cure, polyester compatibility and gloss control will be discussed in detail to not only maintain the expected inherently high performance but to unlock potential of GMA acrylic technology to expand beyond current market spaces.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Dr. Dehui Han - Sr. Resin Innovation Manager
Company/Organization: Anderson Development Company

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is one of the primary contributors to the degradation of roofing materials, significantly impacting their durability and long-term performance. While many commercial roof coatings claim UV resistance, standardized methods to quantify their effectiveness are limited. This study presents a reproducible, indirect approach to evaluate the UV-shielding performance of elastomeric roof coatings through the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye in the presence of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles. Coated substrates were placed between the UV light source and dye solution, and the degradation was monitored via absorbance spectroscopy over controlled time intervals. The degree of dye photodegradation serves as a quantifiable metric to assess the extent of UV transmission through the coating. Results demonstrate discernible differences in UV attenuation among commercial formulations and establish a scalable protocol for benchmarking coatings based on their protective performance. This methodology provides manufacturers and formulators with a practical, low-cost tool to optimize materials for enhanced UV durability—critical for extending service life and improving sustainability outcomes in roofing applications.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Dr. Tam L. P. Nguyen - Materials Innovation Scientist
Company/Organization: EnKoat

Corrosion-resistant primers and coatings are widely used as one of the best strategies for controlling and preventing metal corrosion on multiple assets. A key material needed for formulating these coatings are functional anti-corrosion (AC) pigments. Chromate-based AC pigments remain the most cost-effective, accounting for over 200K Tons of the total volume used in protective coatings but they also impose health concerns due to potential carcinogenic properties. Less hazardous AC pigments, based on phosphates or silicates, are continuously developed, and studied as alternatives to chromates.

This presentation introduces a novel spherical calcium silicate as an effective anticorrosion pigment for protective coatings. This modified spherical silica was synthesized using a unique patented manufacturing process, allowing production of AC pigments with increased effectiveness for passivation and easier, more even dispersion. The performance of this modified silica was evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and salt spray testing (ASTM B117). The results demonstrate that the modified silica significantly enhances the corrosion resistance of coatings compared to several conventional AC pigments. Additionally, the modified silica improves mechanical properties such as abrasion resistance, hardness, and adhesion. These findings demonstrate that the spherical calcium silicate can be an effective and environmentally friendly anticorrosion pigment for protective coatings.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Dr. Jim Reader - Senior Technical Manager – Industrial and Transportation Coatings
Company/Organization: Evonik Corporation

Covia, a leader in industrial minerals and micronized filler solutions for coatings and polymers, has developed a series of new functionalized surfaced treated mineral fillers in 2025. Advancing resin technologies for industrial maintenance and floor coatings based on polyaspartic resins and other polyurea chemistry types benefit greatly by incorporating hydrophobic and functionalized nepheline syenite mineral fillers. General industrial 2K polyurethane clears and pigmented topcoat performance is also increased with new silane treated nepheline syenite fillers for increased weathering and corrosion resistance. Product and applications data showing improved performance in polyaspartic floor coatings and 2K polyurethane topcoats with be presented.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Scott Van Remortel - Applications Technology Mgr.
Company/Organization: Covia Corp.

This work illustrates how resin modifiers can be used to incorporate various backbone structures into a polymer matrix to obtain a waterborne (WB) coating that meets targeted performance criteria for specific applications. Particularly, it is shown how these resin modifiers can be used to produce highly robust film with improved durability, ultimately increasing the lifespan of the cured coating.
The primary focus of these studies is on a novel, hydrolytically stable, water-reducible (WR) polyester (PE) polyol resin modifier. This newly developed modifier contains multiple hydroxyl groups for excellent crosslink density, hindered ester linkages for hydrolysis prevention, and contains unique backbone moieties with both hard and soft segments to provide an excellent relationship of hardness and flexibility. In addition to the ester modifying resins, new findings on the performance of a water-soluble (WS) urethane resin modifier will be discussed.
The experiments investigate how these materials can enhance impact resistance without compromising hardness or, conversely, increase the hardness of inherently flexible films. Additionally, the findings demonstrate that these resins can improve gloss, as well as chemical and corrosion resistance. Studies on a variety of WB coatings will be included, such as one-component (1K) aminoplast crosslinked coatings and two-component (2K) isocyanate crosslinked systems.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Matthew J. Gadman - Technology Leader – Coatings TS&D Group
Company/Organization: King Industries Inc.

Creating low gloss coatings can be a major challenge for formulators, especially in UV cured system. Some of the mechanisms that help matting in traditional coatings don’t work well in 100% solids energy cured coatings. This presentation looks at the mechanisms of matting and how additives such as dispersants, waxes and wax treated silicas can be used to address the difficulties of low gloss formulas. Novel materials can help formulators achieve low gloss finishes while overcoming issues such as viscosity increase at high agent loadings. As well as reducing gloss some additives can also bring other benefits, enhancing properties such as smooth feel, slip and scratch/abrasion resistance.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Matt Dunn - Regional Technical Marketing and Business Development Manager
Company/Organization: Lubrizol Advanced Materials

Modern paint and coatings formulations rely heavily on complex dispersions of pigments and additives. Ensuring material quality and process consistency remains a critical challenge, particularly when substitutions or adjustments are made due to supply constraints or regulatory changes. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) relaxometry offers a powerful, non-invasive, and quantitative method to characterize suspensions under real-world conditions. This technique measures fundamental interactions between liquids and particle surfaces, providing insight into wettability, dispersion efficiency, and material equivalency—all without the need for dilution or optical transparency.
By monitoring the wetted surface area of pigments or fillers and evaluating interactions with solvents, surfactants, and dispersants, LF-NMR enables formulators and quality control teams to identify batch-to-batch variation, optimize additive concentrations, and ensure reliable product performance. This presentation highlights practical examples from the coatings industry, showcasing how LF-NMR measurements can reduce formulation complexity, improve process control, and enhance product reproducibility. The method’s speed, simplicity, and adaptability make it ideal for both R&D and QC/QA environments.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Ralph Woerheide - Industrial Engineer
Company/Organization: Metromation Inc. / NASOTIC Inc.

With increasing regulations on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) materials, the coating industry is transitioning towards PFAS-free alternatives. Achieving the high performance of PFAS materials can involve either direct one-to-one replacements or using multiple products to match the properties of a single fluorine-based material.
This study explores why fluorine-based products perform so well, the properties they offer, and the new products developed to meet these needs in industry. At BYK, we are employing innovative methods to characterize the performance of fluorine-based products and have developed innovative solutions for various properties.
This presentation reviews our findings on these solutions, focusing on how they replicate the desired attributes of PFAS materials without the associated environmental and health concerns. The study will detail the properties and performance of our new development for block resistance. Our results indicate that the transition to PFAS-free materials is feasible without compromising on the quality and effectiveness of the coatings.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Mahshid Niknahad - Technical Service Group Leader and Applied Technology Specialist
Company/Organization: BYK USA

Dirt accumulation on building exteriors, house siding, and roofing increase maintenance frequency, elevate cost, and diminish solar reflectivity of cool paints, impacting both the aesthetics and functionality. Developing paints with high dirt pickup resistance (DPUR) and extended durability remain a key objective for architectural coating formulators.
This study evaluates the performance of water-based coatings formulated with colloidal silica, focusing on DPUR and other critical physical properties. Results demonstrate colloidal silica is a highly effective additive for exterior architectural paints, significantly improving service life by reducing the need for frequent cleaning and repairs. These findings highlight the potential of colloidal silica to enhance both the practical and aesthetic longevity of water-based coatings.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Dr. Ziniu Yu - Technical Service Manager for Coatings
Company/Organization: W. R. Grace

Interior latex paints should be suitable for application by various techniques, from brush, through roller to various forms of spraying. Rheological additives for house paints must also combine suitability for application at various levels of advancement in painting skills, both for DIY applications and for professional painters. Therefore, the selection of rheological additives and the balance of rheological properties in the low-, mid- and high-shear area must be optimal both in terms of viscosity and secondary rheological properties such as sagging, leveling or spattering. Rheological additives such as cellulose ethers, clays, acrylic or polyurethane thickeners must also not negatively affect the performance of coatings, especially in terms of gloss loss, scrubbability or cleanability in the case of easy to clean formulations. The paper discusses a number of case studies of the formulation of latex paints for interiors, showing how to use rheological additives to obtain perfect rheological properties of paints and coats balanced with their participation, ensuring durability of the finish in terms of scrub resistance, gloss retention and cleansability, creating perfectly smooth coats resistant to daily stains.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Dr. Artur Palasz - Technical Director
Company/Organization: Spektrochem Coatings Laboratory, LLC

With increasing regulatory pressure on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and growing restrictions on the use of parachlorobenzotrifluoride (PCBTF), the coatings industry is actively seeking sustainable and compliant alternatives. This presentation explores the use of soy-based, bio-renewable solvents as viable low-VOC replacements for PCBTF in a variety of coating formulations. Soy-derived solvents not only support sustainability goals but also help manufacturers maintain performance standards while aligning with evolving environmental regulations. The session will highlight the chemical profile and functional benefits of soy-based solvents and include case studies in wood floor finishes, general metal coatings, and industrial applications. Attendees will gain practical insights into how these materials can serve as replacement for enhancing VOC compliance and sustainability in coatings systems.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Debora Hense - Technical Director
Company/Organization: Stonebridge Coatings Laboratory

Obtaining patent protection on coating formulations may be a challenge when the coating formulation is a combination of existing (i.e., “old”) raw materials. However, as coating formulators are well aware, developing coatings by combining existing raw materials in a new way can lead to synergistic interactions and yield an unexpectedly improved coating.
This presentation will detail the challenges of obtaining a patent on a coating formulation, including the USPTO’s typical rejections of patent applications directed at coating formulations. This presentation will also detail various strategies for obtaining a patent on a coating formulation with an emphasis on designing laboratory experiments and presenting experimental data to the USPTO. Finally, this presentation will also discuss the process of eventually compromising with the USPTO on a particular claim scope, and how strategically designed laboratory experiments have the potential to shape that compromise.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Daniel Chojnowski - Intellectual Property Attorney
Company/Organization: Howard & Howard Attorneys

Developing polymers for exterior architectural coatings is a lengthy and tedious process. Testing exterior polymers for weathering typically involves two phases: accelerated weathering followed by natural weathering. Several accelerated weathering testing technologies are employed in the first phase to expedite the polymer development process. These vary in acceleration by light source, in this case we are comparing (in order of ultimate acceleration) Fluorescent UV(QUV), Xenon Arc (WOM) and Metal Halide (SUV) sources to determine the optimum acceleration for architectural coatings. The Super UV can emit significantly more intense UV light compared to the other two techniques. In this presentation we examined several combinations of organic and inorganic pigments for color fade resistance in architectural coatings at different pigment volume concentrations (PVC) and colorant loadings. The results compare and contrast the acceleration instrumentation and factors to determine if more acceleration can ultimately help guide faster polymer development for exterior architectural coatings.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Dr. Kaliappa Ragunathan - Principal Scientist
Company/Organization: BASF Corporation

The development of high-performance direct-to-metal (DTM) waterborne coatings is essential for applications requiring strong corrosion and UV resistance, as well as durability. This work integrates machine learning (ML) and multiobjective optimization algorithms to expedite the formulation process, minimizing iterative laboratory cycles while optimizing key performance properties, such as corrosion resistance, gloss and color retention, hardness, adhesion, and impact resistance. The formulation space is explored by adjusting resin types and amounts, alongside various other formulation components.
By leveraging ML-driven predictive models and optimization techniques, we demonstrate the efficient orchestration of formulation adjustments to achieve multiple performance targets concurrently. This approach reduces traditional trial-and-error experimentation, focusing on rapid iteration, negotiating performance trade-offs, and maximizing resource effectiveness.
This project also serves as the basis for a series of laboratory experiments in a graduate-level coatings formulation course, where students apply data analytics and optimization principles in a real-world coatings development scenario. The educational component emphasizes the fusion of data science with traditional material science methodologies, offering students hands-on experience with cutting-edge techniques.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Dr. Erik Sapper - Associate Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry Department
Company/Organization: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Paint formulators use neutralizing amines to adjust the pH of paint and improve its performance. However, traditional pH neutralizers, such as ammonia, hydroxides, or organo-amines, often present challenges related to VOCs, odor, and yellowing.
This presentation will discuss the need for sustainable alternatives for pH neutralizers in the paints and coatings industry. Specifically, innovating a pH neutralizer designed to address the long-standing challenge of odor reduction during manufacturing while still ensuring optimal performance in waterborne paints and coatings.
To address these issues, Ashland has developed pHlex™ ZERO, a zero-VOC, non-organoamine based pH neutralizing agent for waterborne paints and coatings. The presentation will focus on supporting data related to its pH stability, low odor, and potential cost-effectiveness. Finally, we will highlight the zero/low VOC content and biodegradability of its ingredients, which support the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly coatings.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Wei Zhao Bio - Coatings Scientist
Company/Organization: Ashland

As the trend continues for populations to move to larger cities and urban centers, and away from rural communities, the need increases for durable anti-graffiti protective coatings to preserve the assets for architecture, public transportation vehicles, as well as new and rehabilitated infrastructure. Compounding today’s formulators’ challenges, the new anti-graffiti coatings need to be formulated to comply with lower VOC limits than what has been proven effective in the past. Worker safety concerns and new chemical restrictions dictate that isocyanates and 2k systems aren’t as likely to be viable options in many anti-graffiti applications.
Technical hurdles also persist in the durable anti-graffiti space, finding solutions that work over porous and non-porous surfaces, painted and unpainted concrete, metal, and masonry surfaces, as well as providing low gloss options for building facades and maintaining superior exterior durability in addition to the intended chemical resistance to impart an effective graffiti barrier that is capable of withstanding multiple tagging events and subsequent removals and clean downs. Presented here is a low gloss, single component, moisture-cured, non-isocyanate containing, durable anti-graffiti coating resin that offers stand-alone clear coat, as well as pigmented options, for the coatings and construction product markets to protect the bult environment from graffiti and chemical damage.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: Jason J. Netherton - CASE Director for North America
Company/Organization: ACCESS Rudolf Technologies

The participation at the Western Coating Show event in Las Vegas will be an important opportunity for ddchem to talk about the latest innovations in the epoxy flooring field.
The focus of our speech will be the novel accelerators from ddchem. This solution represents a valid replacement of the well know tris-(dimethylaminomethyl) phenol, as it is colourless, does not have a bad smell and maintains good performances over time.
The above-mentioned features make these novel accelerators better than the market reference, in particular when high transparency is required.
The studies conducted by ddchem R&D dpt initially included the evaluation of different chemicals. These accelerators result suitable for formulations with a focus on the physical state of the raw material. The research process has been performed analysing the odour, transparency, colour stability and acceleration properties in comparison with the reference.
Once these tests were performed, the second evaluation was moved on which taking into consideration the mechanical properties, the glass transition temperature and how these properties are influenced by the tested accelerators.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Francesco Comparin - Product Development Manager
Company/Organization: ddchem

The challenge of outdoor durability is significant within the architectural coatings industry. Whether it is chalking, color fade, dirt pick-up, or cracking of the actual paint film itself, formulating architectural coatings that can meet customer demands for aesthetics and durability are both a constant area of innovation and of opportunity for improvement. As such, new and innovative ways to address outdoor durability challenges are desirable to the industry, especially if these methods embrace new mechanisms for obtaining that durability such that they can be chained together to extend paint film lifetimes. This presentation will characterize the mechanisms of architectural coating degradation and failure, using analytical tools in conjunction with real-world outdoor exposure studies to set a baseline understanding. It will then show some recent data that suggests there may be some avenues to enhance outdoor weatherability by utilizing unique technology incorporated into exterior architectural formulations.

Location: Champagne 3/4

Speaker: Zofia Siwicka - Senior Research Specialist
Company/Organization: Dow Chemical Company

Are you aiming for a higher glass transition temperature (Tg) without compromising the minimum film formation temperature? The ureido cycle, found in many common wet adhesion monomers, has been utilized for years to enhance adhesion to alkyd substrates due to its large dipole moment and plenty of hydrogen bonds. Despite its widespread use, its unique chemical structure still holds untapped potential.
In this presentation, we explore wet adhesion monomers polymerized in all-acrylic latexes with Tgs ranging from -38°C to 20°C. These latexes were formulated into polymer films for applications such as pressure sensitive adhesives, clear coats, and architectural paints. The results showed significant improvements in water resistance, dirt pick-up resistance, surface hardness, and oil softening resistance. We will also discuss the optimization of latex polymerization parameters, including pH levels, chain transfer agent concentration, the order of specialty monomer addition, and surfactant selection.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Celine Burel - Colloidal Scientist
Company/Organization: Syensqo

Floor coatings are essential in our daily environments, enhancing both aesthetics and safety. Key performance factors include clarity, defect control, foam management, gloss, and surface leveling, all of which contribute to the visual appeal of these coatings. As the industry shifts away from fluorocarbon additives, siloxane surface additives have emerged as a leading technology for achieving optimal coating performance. While these siloxane additives provide excellent alternatives, they also present a range of performance characteristics and challenges. Striking a balance between their multifunctional benefits and potential drawbacks is crucial for selecting the ideal additive and dosage Fortunately, siloxanes can be organically modified to tailor structures to perform well in specific formulations and meet market needs.
This study focuses on developing effective siloxane flow and leveling additives that exhibit high compatibility and minimal slip contribution for resinous floor coatings. This work will compare various structurally modified siloxane surfactants in 100% solids epoxy (both clear and pigmented) and clear polyaspartic systems. Key performance metrics, including haze potential, defect control, and slip characteristics, will be the primary focus of this comparative analysis.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Darian Waugh - Senior Scientist for the Americas
Company/Organization: Evonik Corporation

Coatings Societies International (CSI) represents the interest of organizations associated with Coatings Technology.
Established in 1986, CSI is a global approach in the development and dissemination of scientific and technical knowledge concerning research, production, formulations, application of coatings, inks, construction materials and adhesives.
This paper will provide details on the member associations and detail each members’ key member engagement proposition:
United Kingdom; OCCA – The Oil & Colour Chemists’ Association
AUSTRALIA; SCAA – Surface Coatings Association Australia
NEW ZEALAND; SCANZ – Surface Coatings Association New Zealand
EUROPEAN UNION; FATIPEC – Federation of Associations of Technology for Industry and Paints in European Countries
JAPAN; JSCM – Japan Society of Colour Materials
SCANDINAVIA; SFL – Skandinaviska Lackteknikers Forbund – Norway, Denmark, Sweden & Finland
USA; WCS – Western Coatings Societies; Arizona, Golden Gate, Los Angeles and Pacific Northwest Societies for Coatings Technologies
This paper will also explore Coatings Societies International members’ interaction regulatory bodies requirements and compliance needed by producers and individuals as well as exploring sustainability initiatives undertaken by members and the challenges faced by the different jurisdictions.
Join this presentation and discover a novel approach to networking with like-minded technical professionals

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: John Keramidas - President
Company/Organization: Coatings Societies International (CSI)

Electrospray deposition is a spray coating process that uses high voltage to generate charged droplets from a flowing solution or dispersion. Unlike other electrostatic processes, these self-repulsive droplets are small enough to be carried solely by the electric field, and they arrive at grounded targets nearly completely dry. This talk outlines the unique capabilities or a recently discovered regime of electrospray. In self-limiting electrospray deposition (SLED), charge accumulates in the film during deposition, and eventually incoming material is repelled and redirected to uncoated regions of the target. This leads to a uniform thickness in 2D, and conformal coatings in 3D. This talk will outline the fundamental science making this process possible, and some of the unique capabilities including (1) tunability of the film’s surface area; (2) the ability to achieve high efficiency on small millimeter-sized targets; (3) the ability to selectively target conductive features; and (4) the ability to include functional materials into the films.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Dr. Michael J. Grzenda - Co-Founder & CEO
Company/Organization: Plumajet Inc.

Exterior weathering is a lengthy but critical testing process in designing effective coatings, ensuring their resilience against natural elements. Outdoor testing plays a pivotal role in evaluating performance, yet numerous variables such as geographic location, climate, and exposure conditions can impact results, often complicating predictive analyses. Narrow testing approaches may lead to significant risks of underperformance in the field, or unanticipated failure modes. This presentation will explore best practices for coatings testing, honed over 30 years at our exterior coatings research lab. It will also showcase how these methods have contributed to the development of industry-leading durability properties and advanced scientific understanding in the field.

Speaker: Karl Booth - Technical Manager
Company/Organization: EPS - Engineered Polymer Solutions

The building and construction (B&C) industry has historically been a stable, slow-moving environment with limited innovation in additives for centuries. From grouts and mortars to cement and protective coatings, the incorporation of color additives has largely relied on traditional methods, yielding varied results that the B&C sector has adapted to. Even today, persistent issues such as color inconsistency, limited color space, and challenges in achieving color saturation continue to constrain this segment.
In 2023, Vibrantz revolutionized the coatings industry with its groundbreaking technology: non-dusting, non-liquid, volumetrically dispensable solid colorants. Vibrantz has now extended this technology to adjacent application spaces within the B&C segment, unlocking access to new color spaces, achieving richer blacks, increasing the light reflectance value (LRV) for whites, and expanding the color gamut beyond the limitations of traditional liquid technologies and additives.
This presentation will showcase how Vibrantz’s latest solid colorant technology can enhance both the darkest and lightest ends of the color spectrum in grouts, mortars, cement and protective coatings.
This review will highlight the market and manufacturing challenges faced by the construction industry when incorporating pigments, including inconsistencies in color repeatability, streaking and poor dispersibility within these applications. Despite these headwinds, the advantages of utilizing a solid colorant system will be presented, demonstrating its ability to provide customers with a new range of color capabilities, decrease manufacturing and application times and ultimately improve performance.

Location: Champagne 2

Speaker: Ramon Lozada - Global Product Manager, Architectural Coatings
Company/Organization: Vibrantz Technologies

Dispersing agents are crucial to the development of color rich coatings. They improve the stability, performance and durability of coatings by preventing particle agglomeration and settling. While needed to wet and stabilize pigments they, at times, can negatively impact corrosion resistance and other performance properties. Selection of dispersant type is especially critical in waterborne systems where corrosion performance in Direct-to-Metal (DTM) applications can be a challenge. In this presentation we will discuss types of dispersants, advantages of dispersants in coatings and factors affecting dispersant efficiency. We will introduce a study that shows the pigment dispersion properties of acrylic- and alkyd-based, pigmented DTM coatings when formulated with a versatile dispersant technology. Performance as a function of dispersant choice, grind time and overall system compatibility will be presented, as well as a dispersant’s impact on color strength and corrosion resistance in final paint performance.

Location: Champagne 1

Speaker: Stephanie Yates - Applications Development Manager
Company/Organization: Borchers Americas

Silicone MQ and DTQ resins are integral to the formulation of many high-performance coatings, offering exceptional properties such as enhanced durability, chemical resistance and improved weatherability. We aim to explore the unique chemical structures of MQ and DTQ resins, which help contribute to their superior performance in both decorative and protective coatings. The review also examines how subtle modifications of their chemical structure can lead to changes in curing processes, gloss retention, mechanical properties and the ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions. The presentation further investigates their role in promoting sustainability within the coatings sector, highlighting silicone MQ and DTQ resins in the potential development of eco-friendly formulations with reduced solvent content and low VOC emissions.

Location: Versailles 1/2

Speaker: John Grande - Global Marketing and Sales Director
Company/Organization: Siltech

Polycaprolactone (PCL) polyols are uniquely positioned to improve physical properties of coating systems. These benefits range from increased flexibility to improved mar resistance. Three-functional PCL polyols can provide an optimal balance between chemical resistance and flexibility, positioning them as an additional ingredient to enhance the performance of two component (2K) polyurethane formulations.
This work will discuss two PCL polyols that will, in addition to improving performance, will also improve a coating’s sustainability profile. The two polyols discussed are 100% non-volatiles and have low viscosities. This enables low or zero VOC formulations. The polyols are partially bio-based and are hazardous label-free. Applications for this PCL technology include automotive refinish and OEM, floor coatings, textile coatings, and other protective applications.

Location: Versailles 3/4

Speaker: Chuck Jones - Market Segment Manger for Coatings
Company/Organization: Ingevity