Previous Polls
June 29 - July 3, 2020
The United States Geological Survey released last month its first map of where the mineral pyrrhotite could occur in the nation. Pyrrhotite is a mineral that consists of iron and sulfur. When exposed to water and air, it can break down to form secondary minerals that expand and crack concrete, causing concrete structures to fail. Do you think the map will benefit future residential construction efforts?
June 29 - July 3, 2020
International research firm, Lux Research Inc. recently issued its report, “Analyzing the Technical Barriers to Realizing the Hyperloop,” which claims that the first passenger-carrying high-speed Hyperloop projects shouldn’t be expected to open until 2040—at the earliest. What timeframe estimate would you give the Hyperloop?
June 22 - June 26, 2020
In May, researchers from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology announced that they had developed a multilevel antimicrobial polymer (MAP-1) coating that they claim to be effective in killing viruses, bacteria and spores. How soon until you think the coating will be brought to the market?
June 22 - June 26, 2020
Recently, two lawmakers on the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee released two pieces of draft legislation that would authorize the investment of $19.5 billion in the nation’s water infrastructure. Do you think the legislation will have a positive impact on pending Army Corps projects and EPA-headed endeavors?
June 15 - June 19, 2020
Last month, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued further interim enforcement guidance on the reusing of disposable N95 filtering face piece respirators. Do you think the additional guidance has been beneficial to the industry?
June 15 - June 19, 2020
The United States Army Corps of Engineers recently announced a preliminary proposal of a $1.75 billion seawall around the lower Charleston Peninsula in South Carolina. Do you believe other U.S. coastal cities will begin to combat future flooding and rising sea levels with new infrastructure projects?
June 8 - June 12, 2020
The Sherwin-Williams Company recently announced the creation of its Pro Support Center, a website that the firm says is dedicate to tools and education resources for painting contractors and other professionals. Do you think this will be beneficial to industry professionals in the commercial sector?
June 8 - June 12, 2020
In May, President Donald J. Trump officially gave the order to senior adviser Jared Kushner and associated aides to seek cost estimates for coating the United States-Mexico border wall. Do you think coating the wall will be a benefit to the infrastructure?
June 1 - June 5, 2020
Recently, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, along with city Chief Operations Officer Patrick Brophy, began rolling out guidelines for reopening construction projects in the city. Do you think these rules will be used to influence other cities and high-risk COVID-19 areas to reopen the industry?
June 1 - June 5, 2020
The Natural Resources Defense Council, along with its partners, announced last month that it had filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers over redefining Navigable Waters Protection Rule. Although the redefinition wouldn’t go into effect until June 22, do you think the suit will successfully postpone the change?
May 25 - May 29, 2020
University of Central Florida researchers were recently reported to be working on a protective coating that would specifically target and kill the COVID-19 virus. If created, do you think the coating will be available to the public before or after there is a cure?
May 25 - May 29, 2020
Last month, SSPC and NACE International announced that an “overwhelming” majority in each of the associations voted in favor for the two to merge. After over a year of discussions, do you believe this will be a positive step for the coatings industry as a whole?
May 18 - May 22, 2020
Last month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released a memorandum identifying essential critical infrastructure workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Do you believe the memo successfully aided in reopening construction sites?
May 18 - May 22, 2020
Recently, wastewater officials reported a surge in backed-up sewer lines and even overflowing toilets, among other issues, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Do you believe the industry will see a continued increase of negative effects on sewer systems and pumps until the pandemic is resolved?
May 11 - May 15, 2020
In April, PaintSquare Press published “Cool Roof Policy Updates Trend in US Cities” regarding the installation of reflective roofing products on new and existing buildings in the United States. While the last 10 years have shown a major uptick in adopting policies by U.S. cities, how long do you believe it will take to incorporate a policy in each of the nation’s states?
May 11 - May 15, 2020
In April, Italy suffered another bridge collapse, causing increased scrutiny over the conditions of the country’s road bridges. Do you believe the recurrence reflects more on how the infrastructure is built, how Italian officials conduct routine inspections or both?
May 4 - May 8, 2020
The European Union recently published the official delegated regulation to classify titanium dioxide as a suspected carcinogen by inhalation. Should TiO2 powder products carry more than 1% of the substance, the product will now be required to display a cancer warning. Are you in support or opposition of these measures?
May 4 - May 8, 2020
Recently, the Wyoming House of Representatives passed legislation that aims to ban the disposal of wind turbines in Wyoming-based landfills, in addition to a bill allowing for turbine base materials, such as blades and towers, to be buried in abandoned coal mine sites. Do you believe the push to adapt new disposal alternatives is sustainable?
April 27 - May 1, 2020
Researchers at University College London recently reported on the development of a new coating that activates in low-intensity light to kill bacteria. Given that the research has since been published, what do you think the timeline is before we see this type of protective coating on the market?
April 27 - May 1, 2020
Mayor Byron W. Brown, of Buffalo, New York, recently announced that the city would be launching a $30 million Environmental Impact Bond to capitalize on the Rain Check Buffalo program, which focuses on implementing green infrastructure. Do you think other cities will follow suit for similar programs?
April 20 - April 24, 2020
Technology Publishing Co. recently announced the launch of its new event, “Commercial Contractor Connect.” As a commercial coatings contractor or supplier, what are you looking forward to the most?
April 20 - April 24, 2020
Last month, Germany firm Muehlhan began applying new coatings to the roughly 8-kilometer-long (roughly 5-miles-long) cable-stayed Øresund Bridge. Slated to take 13 years and an estimated 300,000-400,000 liters (79,000-106,000 gallons) of black paint to complete, do you think the project will meet its deadline?
April 13 - April 17, 2020
Recently, global coatings firm AkzoNobel and start-up company Apellix announced an update on their collaborative efforts to build a computer-controlled spray-painting drone. Do you think once developed, the technology will become popular in the commercial coatings industry?
April 13 - April 17, 2020
In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, many industrial coatings-related companies have cancelled or postponed their slated events, conferences and competitions. Do you think the decision will have negative impacts on the industry as a whole?
April 6 - April 10, 2020
Lacking a sustainable business model and unable to reach an agreement with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to keep the school operating, the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin announced it will be closing in June. Do you think the school’s closing will negatively affect the future of architecture?
April 6 - April 10, 2020
Last month, OSHA announced the revision of the National Emphasis Program to identify and reduce or eliminate worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica in general industry, maritime and construction. Do you think the revision will provide best practices in keeping workers safe from the hazardous material?
March 30 - April 3, 2020
In taking action against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, how do you feel your company will be affected as a result of growing health and safety efforts, non-essential business closures and social distancing?
March 23 - March 27, 2020
Last month, President Trump issued a draft order entitled “Make Federal Buildings Beautiful Again,” which would roll back a decades-long tradition that bars the government from taking a stance on an official architectural style. If put into effect, do you think making “classical architectural style” the preferred and default mandate will have a positive or negative effect on American architecture as a whole?
March 23 - March 27, 2020
Recently, a team of researchers from the UCLA Smaueli School of Engineering developed an ice-prevention coating. Described as a hydrogel, how long until you think the coating will be available for marine and protective coating applications?
March 16 - March 20, 2020
The European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) restriction of N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP)—which applies to the market and use of NMP, on its own or in mixtures containing equal or greater than 0.3% (weight percent NMP)—is set to take effect this spring. Do you think the EPA’s upcoming risk evaluation of the chemical will land on a similar restriction?
March 16 - March 20, 2020
President Trump recently announced an expansion of tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum to cover products made of the materials, such as nails, tacks, staples, cables, certain types of wire, bumpers, various car and tractor parts, among others. Do you believe the expansion will help stabilize the industry?
March 9 - March 13, 2020
Recently, members of Congress introduced the Bridge Investment Act—a bipartisan bill that intends to invest $20 billion into repairing the nation’s failing infrastructure. Do you believe the investment will make a positive impact on structurally deficient bridge infrastructure?
March 9 - March 13, 2020
In January, more than 45 pieces of machinery and over 100 workers completed the construction of a prefabricated hospital—slated to aid those affected by the coronavirus outbreak—which houses 1,000 beds, in just 10 days. Do you think the use of prefabricated materials will become more popular in other commercial facility construction projects?
March 5 - March 11, 2020
What are you most looking forward to at CORROSION 2020?
March 2 - March 6, 2020
Back in December, St. Louis became the latest city to pass green roof legislation, requiring that all commercial, residential and multifamily construction be “solar ready.” Do you believe the legislation will urge residents to take advantage of solar power?
March 2 - March 6, 2020
On Feb. 1, the SSPC Board unanimously approved to proceed with SSPC and NACE merger discussions, taking the spotlight at the Coatings+ 2020 conference with its Town Hall meetings. With NACE’s board meeting approaching March 14, do you predict that the association will also approve moving forward with the merger?
February 24 - February 28, 2020
Researchers from Oregon State University’s College of Science have reported that they’re looking at new ways to design pigments to be more stable, durable and non-toxic with vivid hues. Do you think their research will be successful in determining key ingredients for vivid colors so that pigments can be discovered over shorter time periods?
February 24 - February 28, 2020
India-based multi-disciplinary architectural practice Studio Symbiosis recently revealed designs for Aura air-purifying towers, envisioned to help Delhi, India, reduce increasing levels of air pollution. Do you think the technology would be useful in other cities across the globe?
February 17 - February 21, 2020
Last month, Connecticut lawmakers announced that federal funding for research on pyrrhotite and its impact on foundations was included in a spending bill. Do you think the research will help residents come up with a plan to combat the area’s deteriorating foundations?
February 17 - February 21, 2020
At the University of Wisconsin–Madison, engineers recently developed a new ultrathin coating, reported to camouflage heat when viewed through infrared technology. Do you think the research findings will one day be beneficial to applications in heat transfer, camouflage or even clothing as to protect personal privacy?
February 12 - February 18, 2020
What did you enjoy most about Coatings+ 2020?
February 10 - February 14, 2020
Michigan Department of Transportation has recently adopted the use of unmanned, remote-control boats for conducting bridge inspections. Do you think the safer, less labor-intensive technology will become favorable by other DOTs for bridge inspections?
February 10 - February 14, 2020
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently finalized the list of the next 20 chemicals to undergo risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Do you think the results of the evaluation will help protect individuals in the industry?
February 3 - February 7, 2020
UNStudio and Monopol Colors are currently showcasing “The Coolest White” paint—an extremely reflective white paint—in the “State of Extremes” in Israel’s Design Museum Holon’s Decennial Exhibition. Reported to prolong the lifecycle of urban building and structure coatings to 30 years, do you think the coating will be used in more future projects?
February 3 - February 7, 2020
Throughout the month of January, SSPC and NACE began a series of updates to keep the industry informed about the ongoing discussions between the organizations regarding their possible merger. Do you think the scheduled release of information and milestone timeline will be beneficial in preparing the industry for the collaboration?
January 27 - January 31, 2020
Following a lawsuit filed by the British Blind & Shutter Association, U.K. courts decided to cut part of the country’s combustible cladding ban, noting that it shouldn’t have included materials used on shutters, blinds and other products designed to reduce a building’s heat gain. Do you agree with the decision regarding high-rise buildings?
January 27 - January 31, 2020
Last month, the City of Dallas unveiled “Big Tex,” a tunnel-boring machine slated to dig a 5-mile-long tunnel under the city that intends to provide flood protection for 100 years began its work. Expected to reach competition by fall 2023, do you think the $300 million project will successfully protect roughly 2,200 properties from future floods?
January 23 - January 29, 2020
What are you most looking forward to at SSPC Coatings+ 2020?
January 20 - January 24, 2020
Recently, New York City-based major construction project jobsites have been hit with a series of surprise inspections as an effort to reduce the amount of construction worker injuries. However, some construction workers claim that more work still needs to be done to successfully prevent accidents. In the industry, which risks do you believe pose the biggest threat to jobsite safety?
January 20 - January 24, 2020
In December, global coatings supplier PPG announced that it was planning to implement a 10% price increase on its industrial coatings products globally. Do you think the decision will positively or negatively affect its quarterly sales reports?
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