Hosted by the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Polymer Science and Engineering, the Waterborne Symposium is a leading forum for advancing eco-friendly coating technologies. Each year, it brings together a diverse community of coatings experts, chemists, industry leaders, business professionals, suppliers, students, and educators to exchange ideas and explore the latest innovations in paint and coatings.

The event will feature a robust lineup of short courses, technical presentations, educational sessions, a student poster session, Technology Showcase, and ample networking opportunities.

Prior to the symposium, three days of intensive short courses will be offered. Led by USM faculty members, these optional sessions are designed to challenge participants and deepen their understanding of key topics in the coatings industry.

The three-day symposium, which begins on February 11, will include the Sidney Lauren Memorial Lecture and keynote presentations from distinguished leaders in the industry. Concurrent sessions will spotlight research that demonstrates significant advancements in coatings performance, functionality, and application beyond conventional paradigms.

From February 10-12, the Technology Showcase will offer attendees the opportunity to explore cutting-edge advancements and connect with coatings professionals across the industry. On February 12, students will present their academic research during an interactive poster session, fostering dialogue and mentorship in a supportive environment.

In addition to its technical and educational mission, the Waterborne Symposium supports students at USM’s School of Polymer Science and Engineering. According to organizers, one of the symposium’s core goals is to “provide revenue to support and advance students.” Over the past eight academic years, more than $241,000 in undergraduate scholarships have been awarded through proceeds from the event.

For additional details and registration information on the 2026 program, visit .

Since its launch in 1996, CHINACOAT has served as an international platform, connecting coatings suppliers, manufacturers, and trade professionals—particularly from China and Asia. Each year, the event alternates between Guangzhou and Shanghai, offering exhibitors the opportunity to present new products, technologies, and practical solutions.

Exhibition Highlights

This year’s show will span 8.5 halls and over 99,200 square meters of exhibit space. More than 1,240 exhibitors from 31 countries/regions are expected to participate, showcasing innovations across five dedicated zones: China & International Raw Materials; China Machinery, Instrument & Services; International Machinery, Instrument & Services; Powder Coatings Technology; and UV/EB Technology & Products.

CHINACOAT2025 connects key stakeholders across various segments, including raw materials, equipment, and R&D applications, making it a key attraction for sourcing, networking, and information sharing.

Technical Program

Running concurrently on November 25–26, the technical program will include seminars and webinars featuring sessions on cutting-edge technologies, eco-friendly solutions, and industry trends. For those unable to attend in person, technical webinars will be available on-demand via an online platform.

In addition, country presentations will offer updates on market policies, growth strategies, and opportunities in emerging economies, with a focus on Southeast Asia.

Building on CHINACOAT2024

CHINACOAT2025 is expected to build on the success of last year’s event in Guangzhou, which welcomed over 42,000 trade visitors from 113 countries/regions—an 8.9% increase from the previous year. The 2024 show featured 1,325 exhibitors, including 303 first-time participants.

������Charles Hegedus, Ph.D.

The American Coatings Association’s 2025 CoatingsTech Conference took place April 28-30 at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pa., with 242 attendees from industry and academia gathering for three days of learning, sharing ideas, and networking. The conference featured the latest in coatings science and technology embracing the theme, “Coatings and Technologies for a Resilient Future.”

The event kicked off with four short courses, taught by industry and academic experts. This year’s conference sessions included 35 advanced technical sessions with a multi-track format. Session topics focused on protective coatings, architectural coatings, functional coatings, industrial and specialty coatings, analytical methods and artificial intelligence, bio-based and renewable materials, durability, and coating applications technology.

The conference also hosted a poster session, mainly from university students, displaying ongoing and emerging coatings research. The presentations and posters provided a broad spectrum of subjects that supported the conference theme. This article highlights some of the notable presentations and technologies offered over the first two days of the conference.

In addition to the primary theme of resilience, other popular topics throughout the conference were: corrosion protection, durability, lower and safer emissions, antimicrobial, fouling release, specialty additives, testing, and characterization techniques.

The concurrent multi-track format enabled attendees to customize their schedules on specific topic areas, featuring presentations from raw material suppliers, paint manufacturers, government laboratories, and academia, including presentations from Iowa State University, California Polytechnic State University, Eastern Michigan University, North Dakota State University, and Covenant University located in Nigeria.

Keynote Address

Andrea Wagner Watts, building science education manager at GAF, presented the conference’s keynote address, titled “Future-proofing Buildings: Pushing the Envelope Towards a More Resilient Future.” Her presentation stressed that improving overall performance of building enclosures must be accomplished through application innovation, product development, and building science research. Watts shared insights on how coatings are critical to improving the overall performance of buildings through application innovation. She noted that the construction of a product, building, roof, etc., not only needs to be sustainable and durable, but it also needs to be resilient.

2025 American Coatings Award

The American Coatings Award for outstanding conference paper recognized “Low-Field (LF)-NMR Liquid Relaxation—A Useful Technique for QC and to Determine the Equivalency of Materials for Coatings Formulations” by David Fairhurst, president of Colloid Consultants, Ltd., and coauthored by Ravi Sharma, principal research fellow at Mageleka Inc., and Ralph Jan Wörheide, president and founder of Metromation Inc. (See page 12.) The paper underscores the complexity of coating formulations due to numerous ingredients, their interactions, and the complicated process of dispersion and the importance of quality control in obtaining consistent optimum performance and cost benefits, especially with the potential for raw material substitutions and process changes. Fairhurst described using LF-NMR as a QC tool and provided case studies demonstrating its valuable application.

Mattiello Award Lecture

Lipiin Sung of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an international expert on scratch and mar testing, the physical degradation of coatings in the environment, and the use of nanotechnology in coatings, was presented the prestigious Mattiello Memorial Lecture Award. This award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to science, technology, and/or engineering related to the coatings industry. On the conference’s second day, Sung delivered the Mattiello Memorial Lecture, titled “Measurement Science for Coatings: From Color Appearance to Long-Term Durability Assessment.” This presentation supported the conference special session on Service Life Prediction.

Student Poster Winners

Three students were recognized for their outstanding posters displayed and presented during the conference. “Water Transport Mechanisms in Commercially Available Biobased Polymer Films,” by Ayda Dadras of North Dakota State University, won first place. “Corrosion-resistant Soybean Extract Containing Fluoropolymer Coatings” by Marcel Roy Domalanta of North Dakota State University won second place. “Wear-Resistant Bilayer Surface Design for Scale-Independent De-Icing” by Jiayue Huang of the University of Michigan came in third.

Conference Presentation Highlights

Although the entirety of this year’s presentations cannot be summarized here, we highlight some of the outstanding contributions.

Ray Fernando of California Polytechnic State University presented “Colorant Effects on Solar Reflectivity and Rheology of Exterior Architectural Coatings.” The objective of this study was to identify effects of pigments and fillers to maximize solar reflectivity while maintaining other required properties. Fernando’s work identified coating ingredients and application parameters to increase solar reflectivity of exterior wall coatings.

Diana Alves from International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory presented “A Mussel-Inspired Approach to Impart Fabrics with Superhydrophobic and Easy-Cleaning Features,” which described an innovative treatment concept to improve cleanability of polyester and cotton fabrics, thereby potentially increasing their service life.

Shih-Wa Wang from Axalta Coating Systems presented “Coatings for Drop-on-Demand (DOD) Application Technology as a Sustainable Solution for Vehicle Customization.” The presentation explained and demonstrated the application of DOD inkjet technology for auto applications to enable high resolution, on-demand customization while improving paint shop efficiency and sustainability.

Continuing on the automotive coatings theme, Yuejun Zhao from PPG presented “UV-Durable Hydrophobic Coatings for Enhanced Sensor Performance in ADAS and Autonomous Vehicle Systems.” Zhao emphasized that autonomous vehicles demand highly reliable sensors. To address these challenges, a durable hydrophobic coating has been designed and successfully evaluated under simulated and real-world conditions including fog, rain, mud, insect splatter, and off-road terrain while operating the vehicle at representative speeds. The coating reduced environmental contamination on sensors, enhanced imaging, target recognition, and signal clarity.

Dr. Lichang Zhou from Syensqo presented “Enhancing Coating Performance without Using Fluorocarbon Surfactants in Water-Based Formulations.” The presentation demonstrated new phosphate ester wetting agents that can replace fluorocarbon surfactants in waterborne coatings and provide colloidal stability, wetting, dispersing, and hot block resistance.

Lucille Wells from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory presented “Isocyanate-Free Polyurethane-Siloxane Networks Based on Partially Renewable Binders.” This presentation described the development of isocyanate-free polyurethane-silane binders, which formed cross-linked hybrid networks with attractive thermal and mechanical properties.

Jennifer Mills of Dow Chemical introduced “Methods to Determine Open Time of Architectural Coatings.” Mills described a new applied test method, brush workability, to determine open time and wet edge of coatings. She demonstrated that the test procedure offers good reproducibility and a high level of differentiation with validated results that correlate with real-world application of commercial architectural paints.

Mary Chervenak presented “A Waterborne Exterior Wood Coating that Eliminates the Need for ’VOC Exempt’ Solvents.” This presentation introduced a polymer that can be used in coatings for exterior wood substrates, with water instead of these solvents. The presentation demonstrated that the new polymer and subsequent coating provide exceptional protection to exterior wood substrates.

Charles Hegedus, Ph.D., is a coatings industry consultant and serves as technical editor for both CoatingsTech and the Journal of Coatings Technology and Research. Email: hegeducr@gmail.com

Service Life Prediction Symposium

By Kurt Wood

The third and final day of the 2025 CoatingsTech Conference featured a special symposium focused on the durability and Service Life Prediction (SLP) of Coatings. Organized by a team of industrial, academic, and National Laboratory scientists and engineers, the program was convened in the spirit of a series of International Conferences on Service Life Prediction held between 1997 and 2017. That series was organized by a group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and with many attendees of the original conferences having retired, or soon to be retired, the organizers believed that the proven risk reduction principles of SLP methods need to be reintroduced to a new generation of scientists and decision makers.

Leading up to the symposium, the CoatingsTech plenary talks on Monday and Tuesday set the stage for the Wednesday SLP Symposium. Andrea Watts’ keynote talk on Monday, “Future-proofing Buildings: Pushing the Envelope Toward a More Resilient Future,” explored the connection between long material service life, and the broader concept of “resiliency.” Tuesday morning’s Mattiello Award Lecturer was Lipiin Sung of NIST, who has spent much of her career in the NIST Building and Fire Research Lab that has led the way in developing new SLP methods. Additionally, the Technical Focus Lecture by Mark Nichols of Ford, “Service Life Prediction of Coatings: A Vehicle Manufacturer’s Perspective,” outlined the steps that industry took to create today’s high-performance basecoat-clearcoat systems. The topic of service life prediction was also the focus of a number of student posters.

The SLP Symposium attracted nearly 100 attendees. Sung and retired industrial scientist Kurt Wood set the tone for the day by reviewing the general principles of SLP and highlighting some current issues in the field. Oscar Cordo of Atlas Materials Testing discussed how test methods and standards are connected to, but different from, SLP. Jennifer David of Momentive illustrated how SLP methodologies were used to develop very thin durable hardcoats to protect automotive glass. The morning session ended with a wide-ranging presentation by Erik Sapper of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, exploring different ways that Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence might be used to optimize SLP research.

The afternoon talks demonstrated how SLP principles are being applied to particular problems in coatings and coatings-adjacent applications. Sean Fowler of Q-Lab, Inc. presented new data from a long-running protective coatings industry study comparing different accelerated weathering methods against Florida exposure. Don Lawson of AGC Americas discussed how the company uses Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy to non-destructively probe the evolution of coating system barrier properties in real time during accelerated testing. Karen Schultz of Boeing recounted the aircraft industry’s contribution to the development of the ASTM D7869 accelerated test. Peter Hacke of NREL presented work conducted by a photovoltaic industry consortium to develop a new “Combined Accelerated Stress Test” suitable for photovoltaic (PV) components as well as coatings used in those applications. Finally, Anish Tuteja of the University of Michigan unpacked the challenges of designing durable ice shedding surfaces.

The afternoon session concluded with a group discussion brainstorming about future directions for the SLP community.

Persons interested in receiving notifications of future SLP events may contact Kurt Wood at kurt.wood.LLC@gmail.com.

Dr. Kurt Wood is a coatings industry consultant with more than 30 years of experience developing resins for industrial coatings, first with the Rohm and Haas Company, then with Arkema, Inc.

The WCS prioritizes education over product promotion and seeks technical presentations focused on the latest innovations and regional and global industry trends, including:

• New chemical/coatings technologies (ink, adhesives, architectural, plastics, UV, general industrial, construction, aerospace)
• New market, product trends, and sustainability
• Leadership, management, sales and marketing, and M&A insights
• New supply chain, operations, IT, ERP, manufacturing, and environmental/regulatory developments

Technical presentation proposals must be submitted no later than April 4, 2025. Speakers will be notified of acceptance by May 30, 2025.

Email your submissions and questions to the WCS Technical Program co-chairs Kevin Egan, kegan@behr.com or Steve Johnson, steve.scienceguy@gmail.com.

For more information, visit westerncoatings.org, or contact the event organizers at westerncoatings@earthlink.net or (714) 974-4511.

In his keynote address, titled “Manufacturing in the Age of Social Media: Why Making Stuff Matters,” Sullivan will share his perspective on the importance of manufacturing in a world dominated by big tech, AI, and social media influencers, and on attracting the next generation of talent to the paint and coatings industry.

Organized by the Philadelphia Society for Coatings Technology, the New England Society for Coatings Technology, and the Metropolitan New York Coatings Association, the Eastern Coatings Show offers a comprehensive program featuring educational and technical presentations focused on advancing the theory, science, and manufacturing of coatings.

This year’s show theme, “Celebrating Innovation, Uniting Coatings,” underscores a commitment to fostering knowledge exchange, inspiring innovation, and bringing together professionals in the coatings industry. Registration is now open.

For the latest updates on the show’s programming and registration, visit the Eastern Coatings Show website at easterncoatingsshow.com. For questions about exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities, email info@easterncoatingsshow.com.

This year’s program features two educational tracks: an Introductory Session for those new to coatings and an Advanced Session for experienced professionals looking to deepen their knowledge. Whether you’re aiming to expand your expertise or revisit the fundamentals, this course offers a customized learning experience to fit your needs.

Participants can design their own schedules, ensuring a tailored educational journey. Outside the classroom, the event fosters networking opportunities, allowing attendees to collaborate, exchange ideas, and connect with both seasoned industry experts and emerging talent.

What You Need to Know

Tracks Offered:

• Introductory Session
• Advanced Session

Registration Fees:

• Early Bird: $695 (register by March 7, 2025, to save!)
• Standard: $795 (after March 7, 2025)

Location:
Sonesta Chicago O’Hare Airport Rosemont
10233 W Higgins Rd
Rosemont, IL 60018

For more information, visit .

Topics of interest include coatings applications, chemistries, theory, manufacturing processes, safety, test methods, and equipment. The goal of the Eastern Coatings Show is to educate attendees and showcase advancements in protection, aesthetics, and functionality in coatings technology.

Abstract submissions can be made online . For questions about the submission process or the event’s educational offerings, contact Thomas Penny at thomas.penny@benjaminmoore.com.

Supporting the Industry Through Collaboration

One of the key aspects of the GLCC is its commitment to giving back to the industry. Organizers say 100% of the profits from the event will be reinvested into the coatings industry through the nonprofit coating associations organizing the conference. These organizations, which are run by volunteers in the industry, provide scholarships, host educational and networking events, and connect raw materials suppliers to formulators to progress knowledge in the industry.

The associations and societies organizing the GLCC include:

• Cleveland Coatings Society
• Chicago Society for Coating Technology
• Chicago Paint & Coatings Association
• Detroit Society for Coatings Technology

With support from

• Canadian Paint and Coatings Association
• Northwestern Society for Coatings Technology
• Wisconsin Paints and Coatings Association
• Pittsburgh Society for Coatings Technology

The GLCC organizers say the conference aims to strengthen collaboration between academia, industry leaders, and researchers, fostering a space for knowledge sharing and problem-solving.

For those new to the industry and non-chemists, including those in sales and procurement, the GLCC will host individual short courses to provide foundational knowledge of the coatings industry. These courses offer an excellent opportunity for those looking to expand their understanding of the materials, chemistry, and processes involved in coatings development.

Networking Activities

Participants will also have ample opportunities to network with leading formulators and suppliers, with meeting spaces available for reservation on the GLCC website.
Evening and extra events will be organized to promote engagement and camaraderie among attendees, giving them a chance to connect outside of the conference sessions. These include an evening reception, a golf outing, games and activities at BIG, university lab tours with equipment demonstrations, and the Ford Rouge factory tour.

Flexible Registration and Sponsorship Opportunities

To ensure the conference is accessible to a wide audience, GLCC will soon be rolling out economical registration options ranging from full conference attendance to one-day passes and short-course only options. Sponsors will also have opportunities to secure packages for multiple attendees for just one price.

For the most up-to-date information about the GLCC, visit .

Organized by four coatings societies—the Los Angeles Society for Coatings Technology, Pacific Northwest Society for Coatings Technology, Golden Gate Society for Coatings Technology, and Arizona Society for Coatings Technology—WCS serves as the primary income-generating event for these organizations. Their mission includes providing educational and networking opportunities for members and awarding scholarships to students and academic institutions focused on coatings research.

A highlight of the WCS is the student poster session, where undergraduate and graduate students studying chemistry and coatings programs present their research to hundreds of industry professionals. This platform has led to numerous job opportunities for students. Participants in the program receive stipends, and the top posters are awarded cash prizes.

The WCS symposium features 110 technical presentations that prioritize education over product promotion, offering a deep dive into industry trends. The trade show component hosts more than 100 suppliers showcasing their products and expertise, making it a valuable space for professional growth. The event’s networking opportunities are expansive, with the Sunday evening Welcome Reception overlooking the Las Vegas Strip being a notable highlight.

For more information about the WCS and its programs, visit , or contact the event organizers at westerncoatings@earthlink.net or (714) 974-4511.

Organized by the Philadelphia Society for Coatings Technology, the New England Society for Coatings Technology, and the Metropolitan New York Coatings Association, the ECS provides a comprehensive program featuring educational and technical presentations focused on advancing the theory, science, and manufacturing of coatings.

Attendee registration for the 2025 event will open in January and aims to build on the success of the 2023 show, which drew nearly 1,500 attendees. The event highlights industry advancements and offers numerous opportunities for networking, collaboration, and staying informed about the latest trends and innovations.

For the latest updates on the show’s programming and registration, visit the Eastern Coatings Show website at . For questions about exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities, email info@easterncoatingsshow.com.