MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2021
Next week, the American Coatings Association will host its 2021 CoatingsTech Conference at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown hotel, in Pittsburgh, June 28-29.
Embracing the theme, “Essential Coatings Technology: Supporting Tomorrow’s Sustainable Development Challenges Today,” the 2021 Conference plans to feature the latest new science and technology developments, including advance notice on technology-forcing factors.
Previously, the conference was slated to take place in April, but due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns, it was postponed until June. Still billed as an in-person event, meetings will reportedly be conducted with strict health and safety measures in place, in accordance with local and CDC guidelines and the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown’s COVID-19 standards.
CoatingsTech Agenda
Throughout the two-day event, the ACA is offering a series of special lectures from notable industry experts, focused technical sessions aimed at fully exploring key topics, and critical advanced training sessions for all levels of coatings professionals to participate and learn from each other.
“The 2021 CoatingsTech Conference offers industry experts—including coatings manufacturers, their suppliers, universities and government representatives—a forum to share new research and pursue continuing education and skills development,” according to the ACA.
“In addition to technology-focused sessions, the conference will also address regulatory and legislative developments impacting manufacturing, product innovation and sustainability. Conference sessions will be categorized to provide attendees with an opportunity to focus on individual interests and specialization.”
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Prior to the conference’s opening on June 28, the ACA has outlined a preliminary program, which includes three pre-conference short courses to choose from, lasting from 9-11:30 a.m., followed by a lunch from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Note: This lunch is for short course attendees only.)
Afterward, attendees are to join Ramesh Subramanian, Director, Liquid Resins & Additives (LRA) Americas, allnex; Chair, the ACA 2021 CoatingsTech Program Subcommittee and Scott Braithwaite, Director of Product Stewardship, Science & Technology, ACA, for the conference’s welcome address.
Slated to follow is Kurt Olson, Associate Director, Center for Macromolecular Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, presenting his keynote address, “The Role of the Coatings Industry in Attaining Global Sustainability.” In his presentation, Olson will address specific actions the coatings industry can take to impact the world’s global need for Sustainability, examining the role of coatings and coatings development in the profitable attainment of a more balanced ecosystem, both now and in the future.
The rest of the day is scheduled with 30-minute concurrent technical sessions, ending at 5:15 p.m., when a networking reception is slated to follow.
On Tuesday, June 29, the conference picks back up with continental breakfast and morning address. This will then be followed by the “Mattiello Award Lecture: Driving Sustainable Development and Performance Breakthrough of Waterborne Coatings – An Industrial Chemist’s Experiences and Reflection” from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Presented by Wenjun Wu, Research Fellow and Global Waterborne Innovation Leader, Arkema Coating Resins, Wu will focus on the development of emulsion polymers to meet increasing demands for greater performance and sustainability, highlighting that emulsion polymers, encompassing vast resin chemistries, are the cornerstone of waterborne paint formulations.
Concurrent technical sessions will continue afterward from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., with roughly an hour break for a luncheon, and continue again from 2-4 p.m., when the conference will officially adjourn.
Short Courses
Monday, June 28
This series of three specially designed short courses will focus on the fundamentals and emerging developments in coatings technology and will be held concurrently. The ACA notes that the short courses are not included in the conference registration fee.
Technical Sessions
Monday, June 28
2:15-2:45 p.m.
2:45-3:15 p.m.
3:15-3:45 p.m.
3:45-4:15 p.m.
4:15-5:45 p.m.
4:45-5:15 p.m.
Tuesday, June 29
10:30-11 a.m.
11-11:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m.-noon
Noon-12:30 p.m.
2-2:30 p.m.
2:30-3 p.m.
3-3:30 p.m.
3:30-4 p.m.
4-4:30 p.m.
For more information on the 2021 CoatingsTech Conference or to register for the event, click here.
Tagged categories: American Coatings Association (ACA); Coating chemistry; Coating Materials; Coatings; Coatings Technology; Coatings technology; Coatings Technology; Conferences; Research and development