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.
