Kraton Corporation has appointed Sangwoo Ryu as CEO. Ryu most recently served as CEO of Cariflex Pte Ltd., a Kraton spin‑off under DL Chemical, having joined the company as CFO in 2020 shortly before its acquisition by DL Chemical. He became CEO of Cariflex in April 2025. In his new role, Ryu will work with Kraton’s Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors, as well as Cariflex leadership to help guide strategic decision making, operational excellence, and long‑term growth for both organizations.

Nobian, a Western European producer of salt and essential chemicals, has appointed Thorsten Krekels as CFO and member of the company’s leadership team. Krekels previously served as group controller and managing director Germany for Nobian. He succeeds Michael Pontzen, who will transition to a new project with Nobian’s principal shareholder, The Carlyle Group.

Surface‑protective technology company actnano, Inc. has appointed Sruti Balasubramanian as CTO. In this role, she will lead product innovation and deepen customer partnerships, while ensuring the company’s technology roadmap remains aligned with real‑world customer needs. Balasubramanian is the inventor of record on actnano’s core patents and is a graduate of MIT’s Strategic Technology Roadmapping & Innovation program.

Nobilis Group, Inc has announced a series of executive promotions. Stan Starnes has been named president, responsible for sales initiatives, new business development, and servicing key partner relationships. Jeff Beaver will assume the role of��chief administrative officer. In addition, the company has hired��Rushi Modha��as COO, responsible for all core business operations. Nobilis founder��Troy Good��will continue to lead the company as CEO.

Omya Performance Polymer Distribution has named Sara Ghione president for Rubber Polymers and Additives. She will be based in Oftringen, Switzerland, and report to CEO Carsten Harms. With over 20 years’ experience in the chemical distribution industry, Ghione most recently served as business director for Polymers and Rubber EMEA for Brenntag. Omya reports that Ghione’s appointment completes the global leadership team for Omya Performance Polymer Distribution.

Nouryon has named Jennifer Durbin executive vice president and chief human resources officer. She will lead the development and execution of company’s global human capital strategy, shaping policies and practices that support the company’s organizational goals and workforce needs. Durbin joined Nouryon in 2026 from CMC, a publicly held global steel manufacturing and construction materials company, where she served as senior vice president, chief human resources, and communications officer.

Barentz has named Eric Post senior vice president, Principal Management−CASE & Plastics. Post joined Barentz in 2017, and most recently served as vice president Principal Management.

BASF Intermediates Americas has appointed Kevin Anderson to head the division as vice president, Regional Business Management. Anderson will be responsible for the division’s strategic growth, innovation, and customer-centric collaboration. He previously served as vice president, Business Management Amines, Acetylenics, and Carbonyl Derivatives, Chemical Intermediates, North America.​

Elinor Coatings has appointed Michelle Pierre as director of the Aurora Center for Extreme Weather Materials, a division of Elinor Coatings. In this role, Pierre, whose work focuses on translating complex materials risks into clear engineering decisions to ensure safety and reliability, will lead a growing team serving clients across aerospace, defense, energy, agriculture, and industrial sectors.

Pierre holds a B.S in Chemistry from Kennesaw State University and a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from Florida International University.

Ravago Chemicals North America (RCNA) has announced the appointment of Eric Kostyszyn as director & vice president of Chemicals. He most recently served as vice president of Sales & Industrial Markets.

In addition, RCNA has named Jeffrey Wear as vice president−Segments. Wear joined the company in 2022 and most recently served as vice president of Coatings & Inks.

Sherwin-Williams Industrial Wood Coatings division has appointed Sarah Wolek as North American director of technical service. Her focus will be on elevating service capabilities, optimizing processes, and supporting strategic growth across the industrial wood coatings business. Wolek previously served as technical director, Agricultural Solutions, for the Stepan Company.

Gemini Industries, Inc. has announced that David Jackson has stepped into the role of director, Product Management. Jackson, a long-tenured employee-owner, will oversee the development of new technologies as well as strengthening Gemini’s existing product lineup.

IMCD Group has appointed Sami Valkama as global technical director for its Coatings & Construction Business Group, in addition to his current role as managing director of IMCD Nordics. Since joining IMCD in 2006, Valkama has held a range of technical positions across the organization. In his expanded role, he will oversee the company’s global technical strategy for the coatings and construction markets.

The ChemQuest Group has appointed its latest new director, Edward Johnson. With decades of experience leading strategy and acquisition projects for global corporations, Johnson has had roles with Advanced Sealing Technologies (a business line of Michelin), IAMCO Strategy Consultants, and Vermillion Partners.

Teresa Karjala, senior research & development fellow, Packaging, Specialty Plastics, and Hydrocarbons, at Dow has been elected into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Class of 2026.��NAE membership honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice, or education. Karjala is recognized “for leadership in innovation in the field of polyolefin product development, production, and commercialization.” She has been employed by Dow for over 30 years and received a B.S. from Michigan Technological University and a Ph.D. from The University of Delaware, both in chemical engineering.

High-Edge Coverage Powder Coating

Diamond Vogel has launched Peridium® T82, a high-edge coverage powder coating with EdgeSpan™ Technology. Formulated to improve film build on sharp edges such as those found on laser-cut steel, the coating is intended to address premature edge failures by providing higher coverage in a single coat without the use of a primer. According to the company, the system is designed to deliver corrosion resistance that helps limit early edge failures in harsh environments.

To learn more, visit diamondvogel.com.

Interior Paint & Primer

Florida Paints has launched Altura™ Interior Paint & Primer, an interior coating intended to reduce project steps and support faster turnaround times. According to the company, Altura is formulated to deliver strong hiding power, smooth application, and a durable finish suitable to withstand daily use and high-traffic interior environments. The low-VOC coating is available for pre-order.

For more information, visit floridapaints.com/altura-interior-paint/.

Application Control Unit

Dürr has introduced an enhanced EcoAUC2 control unit for industrial painting environments. The upgraded unit features expanded color capacity, additional control functions, and the ability to control cleaning equipment for different applications. Dürr says that the unit is tailored to specific dosing and application technologies and can be commissioned onsite without additional modifications.

For more details, visit durr.com.

Alcohol-free Epoxy Hardener

Pflaumer Brothers has introduced TERAMINE® 72, a modified aliphatic, solvent-free amine curing agent for general industrial and commercial environments. Developed for use with bisphenol A and bisphenol F epoxy resins modified with reactive diluents, this benzyl-alcohol-free epoxy hardener is formulated to adhere to both dry and damp concrete and metals while maintaining moisture protection, chemical resistance, and fast cure performance. In addition to flooring, TERAMINE 72 is intended for use on internal linings for pipes, tanks, and containment vessels.

For more details, visit pflaumer.com.

Dispersing and Wetting Additives

Hubergroup Chemicals has introduced the ELARA portfolio of tailored additives for coatings and printing inks systems. Products in the line include ELARA Disperion 400, a nonaqueous dispersing agent for organic and inorganic pigments, carbon blacks, extenders, and matting agents; ELARA Disperion 500, an aqueous dispersing agent suitable for VOC-free and biocide-free formulation architectures in coatings and printing inks; and ELARA Wetora 300, a wetting agent for water-based, solvent-based, solvent-free, and UV-curable systems.

Cold Seal Coating

Henkel has launched Loctite Liofol CS 7106 RE, a cold seal solution for barrier-coated paper. Developed in response to the need for packaging alternatives to plastic, the product is designed to ensure process-reliable production of recyclable packaging structures, creating a secure seal without heat exposure. According to the company, the press-ready coating is suitable for applications in the snack and confectionery segments, as well as for collection cards or other secondary packaging that previously required plastic structures.

For additional information, visit henkel.com.

The growing problem of invasive mussel species in the Great Lakes has prompted researchers to create innovative solutions aimed at preventing their spread to inland lakes and reservoirs. These mussels attach to various surfaces, both in the upper (epilimnion) and deeper (hypolimnion) layers of lakes. During the winter months, mussels will die off, leaving the large structures constructed of their shells on the lakebed. Their colonies recede into the deeper waters where water temperature is warmer than the icy conditions on the surface. In the spring and summer, the mussels return shoreward, recoating the left-behind shell structures and adding layers of shell material to the submerged landscape. Juvenile mussels are released from fish hosts and can migrate or float to nearly any structure or vehicle, with bilge water from ships often transporting them to new locations. Once attached, mussels begin their reproductive cycle, and this adherence is key to their spread. If prevented from attaching, they are forced to relocate, increasing competition for space and resources.

To combat fouling, researchers have developed a clear, tri-cure hybrid silsesquioxane coating that is inexpensive, easy to apply, and safe for aquatic environments. When applied to glass or fiberglass, materials they readily attach to, this coating prevents the bonding of mussel proteins to surfaces, making them resistant to fouling. By coating boat hulls, boat owners can reduce mussel attachment, slowing the spread of invasives, saving on costly maintenance, reducing drag, and contributing to the protection of other aquatic ecosystems.

Introduction

Marine biofouling, which is the undesirable accumulation of microorganisms, plants, and animals on submerged surfaces, poses significant operational and environmental challenges to maritime industries and aquatic infrastructure.^1-3��The consequences of biofouling are far-reaching. It causes increased hydrodynamic drag on vessel hulls which reduces fuel efficiency and speed, while simultaneously contributing to higher greenhouse gas emissions.^4-7��In addition, biofouling accelerates the corrosion of submerged metal and concrete surfaces, clogs pipelines in coastal and nuclear facilities, and disrupts water flow and nutrient exchange in aquaculture systems.^8,9

One of the most practical and effective strategies for mitigating biofouling is the use of protective surface coatings or coating additives. These are broadly classified into biocidal and nonbiocidal types. Biocidal coatings rely on the controlled release of toxic agents from a polymer matrix to prevent organism settlement and are considered antifouling coatings.¹⁰��The efficacy of such coatings is governed by the biocide’s release rate and its environmental compatibility that should ideally combine strong antifouling activity with low toxicity and moderate fresh and sea water solubility. Unfortunately, only a limited number of biocides meet these stringent requirements for safe and sustained marine use.¹¹

Nonbiocidal coatings primarily include fouling-resistant and fouling-release coatings (FRCs). Fouling-resistant coatings are typically based on hydrophilic polymers such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and zwitterionic materials, which prevent initial organism adhesion.¹²��However, their tendency to swell in saline environments leads to poor mechanical performance. In contrast, FRCs utilize hydrophobic, low-surface-energy materials that allow weakly adhered organisms to be easily removed under mild shear forces. Polysiloxanes are commonly used as FRCs and offer excellent thermal and photochemical stability, though their long-term performance is limited by hydrolytic degradation. To overcome these limitations, hybrid organo-silicon coating systems have been developed. These systems integrate organic and inorganic elements to combine durability, antifouling characteristics, and environmental resilience.^13,14��For instance, R-alkoxysilanes, particularly methoxy and ethoxy variants, have long been employed to consolidate porous substrates like stone by forming crosslinked siloxane networks with the ratio [RSiO_3/2], or silsesquioxanes that also contain organic bridges. When incorporated into coatings, these networks offer benefits such as low thermal conductivity, oxidative resistance, and mechanical integrity.

Among silicon-oxygen-based coating systems derived from alkoxysilanes, tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) is a widely used precursor.^15,16��However, its slow curing rate often necessitates acidic or basic catalysts and long reaction times. As an alternative, photocuring methods that utilize photoinitiators to trigger rapid organic polymerization under light have gained popularity for enabling fast curing without complex handling or component separation. Moreover, using R-functional trialkoxysilanes with epoxy, amine, thiol, or fluorocarbon side groups allows tailoring of surface adhesion, hydrophobicity, and internal stress relief within the final silsesquioxane-based coating.¹⁷

Bioinspired approaches have further guided the design of antifouling surfaces. Many plants and insects feature microstructured, waxy coatings that combine hydrophobicity with self-cleaning properties. Mimicking these strategies, coatings with nanoscale surface roughness and low-surface-energy materials (e.g., fluoropolymers) have been developed to enhance water repellency and reduce biological adhesion.

Introduction

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used historically in paint formulations for their hydrophobic and oleophobic properties in addition to their surface properties. In waterborne coating formulations, they are often present as fluorosurfactants (FS). This study explores the development of high-performance waterborne coatings that do not require fluorosurfactants and maintain or exceed the performance of legacy FS-containing systems.

Architectural coatings are expected to deliver a balance of performance properties. Among the most critical performance attributes is block resistance, especially in high-traffic and high-touch environments such as kitchens, bathrooms, cabinetry, and institutional settings. Removing fluorosurfactant from formulations often leads to trade-offs in performance, particularly in block resistance, tack resistance, and durability. Traditional approaches to improve block resistance, such as increasing pigment volume concentration (PVC), raising glass transition temperature (T_g), or adding waxes, can negatively impact gloss, durability, or VOC content. Therefore, another approach is necessary.

By optimizing polymer design, focusing on��T_g, particle morphology, crosslinking, and monomer selection, this research demonstrates that coatings can achieve excellent block resistance, tack resistance, washability, and durability without the use of fluorosurfactants. Comparative performance data across gloss levels and environmental conditions validate the efficacy of these optimized systems, offering a resin-based approach to eliminating FS from waterborne acrylic coating formulations.

This article presents a comprehensive study on the development of an optimized all-acrylic polymer system that eliminates fluorinated additives while maintaining or improving key performance metrics.

Materials and Methods

This study focuses on an all-acrylic polymer that does not contain fluorosurfactant while delivering high-performance properties. A high-gloss (HG) polymer was specifically designed to achieve gloss levels above 80 GU at 60°, with a minimum film formation temperature (MFFT) of 21 °C and utilizing self-crosslinking monomer.

Resins with higher��T_g��or elevated MFFT typically exhibit desirable hardness characteristics, such as reduced surface tack. However, increasing hardness often requires additional coalescent, which can raise VOC levels in the final coating formulation. To balance these factors, the HG polymer was engineered to minimize coalescent demand while maintaining surface performance. The incorporation of a self-crosslinking monomer further enhanced hardness without increasing VOC content, as crosslinking occurred after film formation rather than during application. The resin system was evaluated against an FS-containing control resin.

Four coating base formulations using the optimized polymer are shown in��Table 1. The deep base formulas in this study were tinted with 12 oz of colorant per 100 gal.

Experimental

The following tests were conducted.

Hot Block Resistance

Hot block resistance was evaluated with a 3-mil drawdown dried at 70 °F and 50% relative humidity (RH). Small squares were cut at dimensions of 1.5 in. by 1.5 in. and the coated sides were placed together and put in a 120 °F oven with a 1000 g weight on top. Then, samples were kept at room temperature for 30 min before the samples were pulled apart and the block resistance was rated on a scale of 0-10, with a rating of a 0 indicating fully adhered, and a rating of 10 indicating no adhesion and the squares pulled apart from each other with essentially no force needed.

Cotton Ball Tack Resistance

The tack resistance of the HG surface was evaluated by allowing the coated sample to dry for 24 h under controlled conditions of 70 °F and 50% RH. After drying, a cotton ball was placed on the surface, and a 500 g weight was applied directly on top. The setup was then transferred to an oven and exposed to 120 °F for 60 min. Following heat exposure, the sample was allowed to rest at room temperature for 30 min. After this rest period, the cotton ball was removed and evaluated for cotton residue.

High-Traffic Durability

The “light switch test” was conducted to simulate high traffic and high contact conditions. Lotion was applied to half of each test panel and allowed to sit for 2 h. After the exposure period, the lotion was wiped off, and the panels were stained with a combination of mineral oil and a dirt particulate, as well as a rusty water solution. These stains were allowed to dry for 2 h before being wiped with a paper towel. The panels were then subjected to 100 wash cycles using a sponge and a nonabrasive scrub medium. Finally, the color change (ΔE) of the stains was measured to assess the coating’s chemical resistance and ability to resist softening and staining.��Figure 1��shows a panel that was prepared and washed.

The construction industry is experiencing a paradigm shift from focusing solely on sustainability to embracing comprehensive resilient design, driven by increasingly severe weather events and rising financial risk. While sustainable design emphasizes minimizing environmental impact and resource conservation, resilience—the capacity to adapt and maintain functionality after a disturbance—demands a systems-based approach that addresses future-looking hazards like high winds, hail, fire, and flooding. This article argues that true durability requires building materials, including advanced coatings, to work collaboratively as integrated systems to resist extreme loads that exceed minimum building code requirements. It explores current design resources like LEED v5 and FM Global standards, and provides specific examples of how materials are engineered to resist hazards. These examples include multilayer roofing systems designed for very severe hail, and innovative coatings and membranes used in water-retention assemblies to manage urban storm runoff. Ultimately, resiliency is redefining what it means to create durable, lasting buildings, positioning systems-level thinking—rather than isolated product properties—as the foundation for a future-proof built environment.

Introduction

Resilient design has become a catchphrase within the construction and architecture communities. Over the last two decades, forward-thinking designers and building owners have focused not just on the now, but on the future, when determining their designs. This challenge started with a focus on sustainability. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) defines sustainable design as “creating places that are environmentally responsible, healthful, just, equitable, and profitable.”¹��Sustainable solutions often refer to minimizing the burden on the natural environment, recycling, and conserving energy and other natural resources. These goals have created a multitude of industry buzzwords, including durability, recycled content, energy efficiency, and carbon neutral. However, sustainability is not the same as resiliency.

Resilience is defined by the Resilient Design Institute as “the capacity to adapt to changing conditions and to maintain or regain functionality in the face of stress or disturbance. Resilient design solutions often consider durability as well as the ability to keep a building functional after a weather event.”²��Solutions such as having a generator to maintain power are very resilient, though not necessarily sustainable (Figure 1). To be truly resilient, designers and building product manufacturers must look at more than product properties such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and embodied carbon, often the go-to for sustainable design, and more at materials working together as systems. There is no one property that ensures resilience. Designers and manufacturers need to collaborate to create complete systems of materials that work together to achieve a successful outcome. The ultimate goal is for designed solutions to meet both sustainability and resiliency targets, such as slowing the release of storm water to prevent overloaded sewers while also using some of the captured rainwater for irrigation.

One example of resilient design is the Sand Palace, which was one of the only structures left standing in its area after Hurricane Michael in 2018. Built specifically to withstand severe storms, the house utilized advanced materials like insulated concrete forms (ICFs) and was designed to resist winds of up to 250 mph, significantly exceeding state building codes at the time. The homeowner explained that they deliberately went “above and beyond code” when making material and design decisions by consistently asking, “What would survive the big one?” It is estimated that the house cost 15-20% more as a result of these decisions. Although they did have to replace utilities and experienced the loss of the first floor along with one of the air handlers, the overall damage was minimal compared to the surrounding properties.

Resiliency has become an important design strategy for many reasons, but the primary driver is money. It is expensive to rebuild after severe weather events, and insurance companies are noticing. In some parts of the United States, it is becoming more expensive and more difficult to get insurance, particularly in coastal regions and areas prone to wildfire. For example, a 2024 report from the Senate Budget Committee shows that the nonrenewal rate in Florida increased 280% between 2018 and 2023.³��Additionally, FM Global, one of the largest insurers of commercial properties, continues to expand the areas where their buildings must meet very severe hail requirements.

On the residential side, prospective homebuyers are paying attention to the potential weather impacts on properties. In 2024, Zillow started posting hazard ratings for climate-related impacts such as flood, wildfire, wind, heat, and air quality on property listings.⁴��As with other trends within the construction industry, significant attention is paid when there are clear drivers to profits and losses. This article introduces published resources and references being used by designers to design for resilience. It then looks closely at specific examples in which coatings and other building materials work together as systems to withstand increased building loads.

Polyurethane (PU) networks exhibit the outstanding mechanical strength, thermal stability, and solvent resistance that is required for use in high-performance coatings, adhesives, and composites. However, the most common way to form these polymer networks is to use hazardous isocyanate-functional molecules. Moisture-cure urethane silane polymers have recently been used to form hybrid PU networks, thereby mitigating end-user exposure to hazardous isocyanate during application. However, while the applicator is not exposed to isocyanates, they are nonetheless used to synthesize these polymers. High-oleic soybean oil (HOSBO) was chosen for use in hybrid binders to explore potential beneficial properties, mainly enhanced hydrophobicity and reduced viscosity, and as a U.S.-produced renewable chemical, the fatty acid groups offer beneficial properties. For this project, isocyanate-free polyurethane-silane binders were formed by first reacting diethanolamine with HOSBO to form fatty acid diols, followed by transcarbamation reactions to form urethane linkages. The polymers were then end-capped with various secondary aminoalkoxysilanes via subsequent transcarbamation reactions. Reaction of these polymers with atmospheric moisture resulted in crosslinked hybrid networks with siloxane linkages. Surface-free energy (SFE) as well as thermal and mechanical energy were explored.

Introduction

Crosslinked polymer networks are in numerous consumer and industrial products, ranging from coatings for medical devices to foams for seat cushions.^1-4��The chemistry for these networks typically involves urethane, urea, ether, and thioether chemistries.^5-7��Among these, polyurethane and polyurea networks remain the most widely studied due to their rapid and efficient formation at room temperature, the ability to modify the backbone structure, as well as their excellent thermal and mechanical properties.^8,9��The most common way to form polyurethane networks requires the use of hazardous isocyanates.⁸��However, isocyanate exposure can lead to a myriad of health issues, including skin and eye irritation, symptoms of asthma, and sensitization upon exposure.^10,11

A way to synthesize crosslinked networks while avoiding isocyanates is to make networks with siloxanes where an alkoxysilane is used as a crosslinker. These urethane-siloxane polymers also have the advantage of producing crosslinked networks with enhanced properties from the sol-gel region.^12-16��For example, silane-terminated polyurethane and poly(urethaneimide) networks demonstrate improved thermal stability, good adhesion to metals, elastomeric properties, and excellent moisture resistance.^17-20

In addition to avoiding isocyanates, there is interest in the polyurethane field to shift from petrochemical to renewable biobased raw materials, particularly soybean oil.^21,22��Polyurethane networks are not necessarily hydrophobic and often rely upon incorporation of other materials and segments to make hydrophobic material.²³��The addition of the fatty acid chains is predicted to enhance hydrophobicity. Other benefits from the fatty acid chain include reduced viscosity and, by using the high oleic oil, reduced yellowing with a high content of chains with a single unsaturated group. Hybrid urethane-siloxane vegetable oilbased polymers have even been formed through isocyanates^24-27��and cyclic carbonate chemistry.^28-30��The isocyanate-based networks have the same toxicity issue of the nonhybrid polyurethane while the cyclic carbonate-based networks form pendant hydroxyl groups, which may limit any enhancement to hydrophobicity. Rather than use these methods, the ester linkages of the oil can be utilized to incorporate other organic functionalities, such as alcohols and diols, which can be further reacted.³¹

Herein, a method is provided to form polyurethane-silane networks that circumvents the use of isocyanates and incorporates renewable biobased materials. In this work, a safer acylation reagent, 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI), was used to form the urethane functional groups. These acylating groups were used to attach the fatty acid-based diol, which is based on high-oleic soybean oil (HOSBO), to the alkoxysilane crosslinker and to add chain extenders. These compounds were then used as binders to form clear polyurethane-siloxane networks. To our knowledge, there are no reports of polyurethane-siloxane networks based on HOSBO. This method allows for greater control of structure of the binders. Chain extenders have been explored in the binders. Thermal, mechanical, and surface properties of the resulting crosslinked networks were determined using several analytical techniques and compared with those of a control network.

Samuel Schär has assumed his position as CEO of ��ü������. Schär joined ��ü������ 20 years ago to establish the Nanotechnology business unit. He then led the Grinding & Dispersing business area for several years, before joining the Group Executive Board in 2013 and successfully leading the Advanced Materials segment for 10 years. He later took over responsibility for the Global Services & Sales organization. Samuel Schär studied physics at EPFL Lausanne in Switzerland.

Valtris Specialty Chemicals announced today the appointment of Mike McGaugh as CEO. McGaugh has assumed the role held by former CEO, Simon Medley, who will be retiring as part of this transition but will continue to advise the company.

McGaugh was most recently the CEO of Myers Industries Inc. Prior to his tenure at Myers, he served as executive vice president and COO of BMC Stock Holdings and also spent nearly 25 years in various senior leadership roles at The Dow Chemical Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Texas State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Sheboygan Paint Company announced that Holly Bellmund has been appointed CEO. Bellmund previously served as president of GLC Minerals, where she led strategy, operations, product development, and market expansion. Her background spans engineering, sales, and commercial strategy, giving her direct experience in linking formulation development with field performance and customer requirements. She has worked extensively with industrial, agriculture, and equipment OEMs — core segments for Sheboygan Paint Company.

Gemini Industries, Inc. has announced that David Jackson has stepped into the role of director, Product Management. Jackson, a long-tenured employee-owner, will oversee the development of new technologies as well as strengthening Gemini’s existing product lineup.

Color Pigments Manufacturers Association has appointed Robert Helminiak as executive director. With more than 15 years of senior leadership experience, Helminiak most recently served as vice president of Legal & Government Relations at the Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates.

Surface Appearance Measurement

X‑Rite Incorporated and Rhopoint Instruments have introduced Rhopoint PANTORA Aesthetix®, a system for high‑definition surface appearance measurement and 3D material visualization, to support the growing use of digital twins in product development and marketing. The dual HDR camera-based surface characterization system is designed to quantify gloss, haze, roughness, and surface structure at 110 pixels per millimeter. The system integrates Rhopoint’s surface‑measurement technology with X‑Rite’s appearance software and color measurement devices that measure both reflectance and transmission, to digitally capture and communicate the look and feel of paints, coatings, leathers, and plastics.

To learn more, .

Plasma-Coating Technology

Henniker Plasma has launched CoatX® plasma-coating technology. Designed to deliver permanent, nano-scale functional coatings, CoatX® uses controlled plasma-assisted polymerization which, according to the company, results in ultra-thin, permanently bonded coatings that are compatible with polymers, metals, glass, textiles, and 3D materials.

For more information, visit .

Fire Protection Coatings

PPG has introduced PPG STEELGUARD® 652, a high-performance, water-based intumescent fire protection coating for interior structural steelwork. According to PPG, the cellulosic passive fire protection (PFP) coating is engineered to deliver up to two hours of fire protection and is UL 263 certified. Available in North America, the coating’s low-VOC emissions allow for efficient trade stacking at complex construction sites.

Additional details are available at .

Texture Coatings for Non-Painted Plastics

PPG’s SEM® Products business, in collaboration with 4Plastic, has unveiled a new generation of texture coatings engineered specifically for the repair of non-painted, textured plastic components. The range of coatings, available across U.S. and Canadian markets, is formulated to replicate the most common OEM textures. According to internal testing reported by the companies, the texture system demonstrates fast application, environmental resistance, and the ability to withstand real-world wear without damage or color transfer.

For more information, visit��.

Aluminum Pigments for Powder Coatings

ECKART has introduced STANDART® PCS HD non-leafing aluminum pigments for powder coatings. Based on Silver Dollar technology and intended for applications such as furniture, household appliances, and other high-quality surfaces, the pigments provide strong coverage and a bright metallic appearance. According to ECKART, pigment usage can be reduced by up to 30% while maintaining performance and consistent processing characteristics. The series includes two options—coarse and fine—to accommodate different coverage and visual effect requirements.

For details, visit .

Q: What role will formulation innovation play in advancing sustainability?

The formulation stage is key to achieving our sustainability goals. An old mentor of mine compared formulating to cooking. He would say that it’s not just about using the finest ingredients, but how you blend them together. Understanding how one ingredient influences and brings out the best in the next—and how they combine to define the consistency and taste of the final dish. I absolutely share that view.

Formulators know that if you change one component, it can affect the whole formulation: its stability, possible component aggregation, solids settling rate, pH range, viscosity, shear resistance, and film drying time. Getting the formulation right determines in-can behavior and therefore shelf life, as well as influencing coating application (e.g., spraying). New raw materials (like biomaterials) must be properly integrated to enable efficient manufacturing and effective industrial-scale application.

Significant R&D work is focused precisely on this topic. For example, clients who come to us looking for support with their formulation development are exploring the use of new or alternate raw materials, transitioning to water-based systems or reducing VOC (volatile organic compound) levels, and evaluating new formulations on numerous application processes to become more efficient and less energy intensive.

Q: Historically, sustainability and performance have often been seen as trade-offs. Do you believe that tension is narrowing, and why?

Yes, absolutely. Firstly, we’ve seen a change of mindset within the industry. This is not just a growing awareness but an actual acceptance that change is inevitable, and that thinking and acting sustainably is the only way forward. And secondly, innovation is advancing. Given the right motivation and encouragement, I believe we as an industry are capable of achieving great things.

The introduction of any new material (e.g., from sources independent of fossil fuels) is always accompanied by initial teething problems. It’s the nature of the game. But those problems can be overcome through innovation cycles. We gain a greater understanding of the new raw materials, their properties and behavior, and how best to integrate them into formulations that meet, or even exceed, the performance of current state-of-the-art coatings.

Recent innovations have already demonstrated a closing of the gap. The use of reactive polymer-bound surfactants has led to the development of durable, water-based latex coatings for exterior use. In Europe, Worlée is pioneering the use of sustainably made camelina oil in the manufacture of high-performance binders and additives. And Evonik has recently introduced a range of 100% plant-based biosurfactants (made via the fermentation of sugar) that exhibit enhanced wetting and color retention properties in waterborne coatings.

Q: How important is lifecycle thinking, including durability, maintenance cycles, and end-of-life considerations, when determining whether a coating is truly sustainable?

In the past, there was a tendency within our industry (when supplying to OEMs) to consider the sale of a coated end product as a convenient boundary for where our responsibility ended. Ease of application, appearance, performance, and a certain lifetime would encourage the OEM to buy more coating. But there was little consideration for what came after that.

Now, however, we are entering a period of increased accountability. And if we as chemists create a complex material (and a coating is certainly a multi-component complex system), then we are responsible for its makeup, its behavior, and the environmental impact throughout its lifetime. This begins with the sourcing of raw materials, continues through the energy usage and pollution evaluations of manufacturing and application, and now extends to beyond the lifetime of the coated end product. As more and more end products are evaluated for their potential to be reused, recycled, or even composted, we as an industry need to extend our considerations to that end-of-product-life moment.

This will pose one of our greatest challenges. For example, how do we get a protective coating that has been designed to weather the harshest environmental conditions to stop protecting, on demand, and break down into recyclable or biodegradable components?

Q: What are the biggest challenges in scaling sustainable coating technologies from the lab to full commercial production?

The old adage says that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and the supply chain required to support commercialization of a sustainable coating is not exempt from this. Furthermore, for the product to be truly sustainable, each step of the process needs to be in itself sustainable.

It begins with raw materials sourcing and the aim to reduce dependency upon materials derived from fossil fuels. Can renewable biomaterials be used? Are they realistically available in sufficient industrial quantity? Can they be used in existing formulations, or does the incorporation require use of surfactants or additives or stabilizers—and are these from sustainable manufacture in themselves?

Now consider the energy requirements of formulation and large-scale production. Might any viscosity, dispersion, or stability issues drive energy consumption up? Or is there a need to manage heat transfer, either to maintain temperature to keep things flowing or remove it from an exothermic step in the process?

Are any byproducts or pollutants created in the process, surpassing explosion safety limits or allowed waste gas levels. Alas, the same rules apply for sustainable coatings as to scaling any production.

Q: How can collaboration across the value chain—raw material suppliers, formulators, applicators, and end users—accelerate progress toward shared sustainability goals?

Let’s look at three coatings: an interior, decorative house paint sold in Scandinavia; a metallic-effect, high-gloss automotive coating; and a high-performance durable protective coating on an oil rig in the North Atlantic Ocean. Our industry serves all three scenarios, but each one has a specific set of performance, application, pricing, and environmental requirements and targets. The willingness to become more sustainable might be there, but in each case the path to reaching those sustainability goals is going to be different. Those individual pain points, restrictions, and limitations need to be shared throughout the supply chain for us to truly make progress. It needs communication. And then it needs collaboration.

We are looking at a paradigm change in our industry, with innovation taking place all along the supply chain. We are seeing the introduction of new raw materials, the creation of new formulations, the introduction of more efficient production processes and easier application processes with less energy requirements and lower emissions, and the goal of non-harmful coatings that can either degrade or be recycled when a product reaches end-of-life.

It’s a big task and only possible with close collaboration. One part of the chain directly influences the next. If we acknowledge and respect that, we will become increasingly effective.

Wayne Daniell, Ph.D., joined The ChemQuest Group in 2023. Over his extensive career, Daniell has founded and managed companies that developed nanomaterials and various coatings additives for use in markets such as consumer electronics, renewable energy, and white biotechnology. Daniell holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Reading, as well as a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Nottingham. A UK native currently based in Germany, Daniell speaks English and German.

January Names in the News Digital

The allnex Advisory Committee has appointed Anish K. Taneja as CEO. Taneja is joining allnex from Johnson Matthey PLC where he most recently served as the CEO of Clean Air & Hydrogen Technologies and as chair of the Group Commercial Council. Taneja is a board member of the German Association of the Automotive Industry and has served as president of the German Rubber Industry Association, and as a board member of Hydrogen Europe.

Syensqo announced that��Mike Radossich��has assumed the role of CEO and member of the Board of Directors. Radossich will be responsible for steering Syensqo’s next phase as the company continues to focus on creating value for its stakeholders; accelerating sustainable, profitable growth; and driving long-term performance. He succeeds Ilham Kadri, who will continue as a special advisor.

AkzoNobel announced that Maarten de Vries, who had planned to retire in April, has agreed to extend his tenure as CFO for one year to support the planned merger with Axalta. The extension of his term as a member of the Board of Management will be proposed for shareholder approval at the April 2026 AGM.

The Hempel A/S Board of Directors has announced that Michael Hansen, group president and CEO, has resigned. In accordance with the company’s succession plans, the board has initiated a search for his successor. Until the appointment is finalized, Hansen will continue to lead the company alongside Hempel’s Executive Group Management team to advance the company’s strategic priorities.

PPG announced that Vincent (Vince) J. Morales, senior vice president and CFO, will retire July 1, 2026. A veteran of the company for over 40 years, Morales is a member and secretary of PPG’s operating committee and member of the executive committee. A global internal and external search is underway.

Other company changes include the retirement of Adriana Macouzet, vice president of PPG Latin America, and general manager, Protective and Marine Coatings (PMC), Latin America, effective April 30, 2026.

Jennifer Solcz, vice president, protective and marine coatings, United States and Canada (USCA) will be vice president, PMC, Americas effective April 30, 2026.

Javier Sosa Mejía, vice president, Architectural Coatings, Latin America and president, PPG Comex, will expand his responsibilities as president, PPG Latin America.

Barentz has named Sertaç Sürür as president EMEA. Sürür most recently served as CEO Asia Pacific for Azelis. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Istanbul Technical University in Türkiye and an MBA in International Business from National University in California.

Evonik has appointed Elias Lacerda president of the Americas region, effective February 1. He succeeds Guido Skudlarek, who recently assumed global leadership of Evonik’s Health Care business line in the United States.

Lacerda most recently served as head of Evonik’s Coating Additives business line at the company’s headquarters in Essen, Germany. From 2018 to 2022, Lacerda was president of the Central and South America region, which has since been merged with North America to form the Americas region. A native Brazilian, Lacerda holds degrees in Chemical Engineering and Business Administration.

Evonik has also appointed Jacob Shevrin as global director of Strategic Product Management. In this new role, he will be based in Frankfurt, Germany. Shevrin previously served as director of Technical Marketing and Applied Technology, for the Americas Functional Silanes team.

Huntsman Corporation has named Amy Smedley as executive vice president, general counsel, and secretary. She succeeds David Stryker, who is retiring. Smedley has strong legal and leadership experience, most recently serving as executive vice president and chief legal officer at Savage Companies since 2022. She previously spent 16 years with Huntsman in a series of senior legal roles, ultimately serving as vice president and deputy general counsel.

IMCD has announced that Emmanuel Colette will assume global leadership of its Business Group Food & Nutrition, effective March 1. Colette will also retain his current responsibilities as managing director, IMCD France. He succeeds Marc van Gerwen, who is retiring after a 38-year career in the chemicals and ingredients industry.

IMCD has also named Christoph Garbotz as managing director for Germany, responsible for the management of the Germany, Austria, Southeast Europe, and Switzerland region. Most recently he served as director principal management for the company’s Pharmaceuticals Business Group.

The ChemQuest Group announced the appointment of two Netherlands-based directors. Erwin Wild and Ruud van der Erden. Wild has held leadership roles at Huntsman Advanced Materials, CVC Thermoset Specialties, AGC Chemicals Europe, and Kemira. He holds a B.S. in chemical engineering and organic chemistry from Saxion University, as well as an E.M.B.A. through the Helsinki School of Economics.

Ruud van der Eerden has more than 35 years of leadership experience in global strategy, sales, marketing, technology, regulatory, and business management of specialty resins and polymers in CASE and other markets. Van der Eerden earned a B.S. in Chemical Technology from HTS Dordrecht.

Sheboygan Paint Company has named��Robert Steebhas as Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) manager. In this role, Steebhas will design, develop, implement, and oversee the organization’s EHS programs and procedures to safeguard employees and surrounding communities. Steebhas has 25 years of EHS experience across a number of industries, including chemicals, EV batteries, food, and packaging.

R.E. Carroll Inc. has announced that its vice president, David Carroll, has been accepted into the 2026 class for Executive Leaders by the Alliance for Chemical Distribution.��The program for established executives and emerging leaders focuses on practical tools to strengthen communication, sharpen strategic decision-making, and enhance advocacy