The Waterborne Symposium 2025

Dr. Tristan Clemons
Assistant Professor of Polymer Science
Course Purpose: To provide entry-level chemists and engineers with a background in the synthetic approaches and rational of polymer chemistries integral for the coatings industry.
Course Description: This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to polymer chemistry designed for participants with a basic background in chemistry, but still a beginner to the intricacies of polymer chemistry – the backbone of all coating formulations. This course will cover polymer nomenclature, types of polymers, synthetic approaches (e.g. step growth, emulsion, ring opening, and radical polymerization), and the associated practicalities required of the chemist to conduct these polymerizations. Participants will learn how the synthetic approach can result in control of polymer parameters such as monomer conversion, molecular weight, dispersity, and architecture, while also demonstrating the calculations that allow the chemist to predict, plan, and understand these important polymer properties. Finally, this content will be framed utilizing current examples of how this directly applies to solving real-world problems within the coatings industry.
Who should attend: Don’t know the difference between an epoxide and polyurethane? Then this course is for you. We will cover the fundamentals of polymer synthesis, including the terminology, synthetic approaches, and practicalities of polymer chemistry for coatings in a collaborative and fun 2-day course. A great introduction or refresher for someone who has had limited exposure to polymer chemistry in their training.

https://www.clemonslab.com

The mezzanine level is accessible by elevator only. 

Dr.  Robson F. Storey
Bennett Distinguished Professor of Polymer Science
Course Purpose: To provide chemists in the coatings industry an understanding of the principles involved in reformulating systems to a waterborne system.
Course Description: Reformulating to Waterborne Coatings is an intensive, two-day course providing an introduction to the technology of waterborne coatings with an emphasis on the challenges encountered in converting existing solvent-borne coating systems to water. It consists of a series of lectures organized around various popular coating types including acrylic latex, polyester/alkyd, two-component polyurethane, polyurethane dispersion, epoxy, and silicone. Additional topics include the use of additives, pigments and pigment dispersion, and application methods for waterborne coatings.
Who should attend: The course is designed for coating chemists and formulators and for persons interested in new applications for waterborne coatings.

The mezzanine level is accessible by elevator only. 

Dr. James W. Rawlins
Professor of Polymer Science and Engineering

Course Purpose: 
Provide an understanding and overview of surface coating formulation principles for chemists in the coatings industry with hands-on formulation practice and lectures focused on reinforcing structure-property-performance relationships with a ‘begin with the end in mind’ focus.
Course Description:
Coating manufacture is challenging. Often protective and decorative coatings formulations require an iterative series of ladder studies. Formulating requires raw materials knowledge, processing and preparation skills for production, math for calculations, and physics to discern hiding, loading, ratios of raw materials used with each substrate, cure profile, and environmental conditions. The short course will reinforce formulation building through mobile laboratories and lectures.
The Science of Formulating Short Courses is organized to provide 6 hands-on laboratory experiments and 6 lectures in two days delivered by 6 speakers.

Who should attend: 
This short course is a general course covering major paint and coating types presented at a fundamental technical level and is designed for entry-level chemists to the coatings industry that desire total immersion for paint and coatings production, selection, design, and development.

Please visit our exhibitors in the exhibit hall - Grand Ballroom D.

The 2024 Waterborne Symposium kicks off with a dynamic opening reception in the technology showcase exhibitors’ hall. Don't miss this incredible chance to connect with industry leaders, exhibitors, and peers!