The Waterborne Symposium 2025

Abstract
Market-inspired research and development (R&D) plays a crucial role in driving innovation, addressing societal needs, and advancing technology. A deeper understanding of market segments and dynamics further sharpens the focus of R&D efforts and increases the chances of commercialization success. And when these efforts align with governmental objectives, an influx of significant funding can accelerate technological advancements. Government funding programs reduce risk and allow researchers to explore long-term breakthrough technologies that might not otherwise take place. In this talk we will explore how combining the tools of market intelligence with various funding mechanisms can effectively intersect to identify innovation gaps that are likely to yield greater results that benefit both society and the economy.

Co-Authors:  Yelone Liu and Hugo Wang

Abstract

The use of plastics in different applications, such as automotive interiors and consumer electronics, has increased mainly due to their low density and light weight, convenient processability and balance of cost and performance. However, many plastics require a coating to protect the surface from scratches and abrasion to maintain their surface appearance and quality. This is particularly challenging in low gloss coatings (≤ 5 gloss units at 60°) where the film damage is easily visible. The thin films used also limits the ability of some additive technologies to improve coating durability.

This paper presents a study of different synthetic silica matting agents in combination with other additives in four different plastic coating formulations and compares their effects on scratch and abrasion resistance of the final coating. Conventional silica matting agents offer good dispersibility and matting efficiency, but their scratch and abrasion resistance does not meet end-user expectations. Organic / polymeric matting agents have better scratch and abrasion resistance but are less efficient in matting. Combinations of silica matting agents with other technologies, such as nylon powders or polyethylene waxes can dramatically improve the scratch resistance without side effects. Abrasion resistance can be enhanced using combinations of matting agents with novel small-sized, spherical silica particles..

Co-Authors:
R. Severac, T.T. Tran, C. Kustner, A. Becker, G. Schlatter, S. Le Calve , A. Hebraud

Abstract
"Driven by environmental, health, and safety concerns, coatings technologies have undergone a dramatic shift in the past few decades driven by the reduction of VOCs and other hazardous materials in coating formulations. The continuous development and improvement of waterborne technologies has enabled many solvent-based systems to be replaced with waterborne chemistries that contain significantly lower VOC content than their solvent-based counterparts. VOC levels have been pushed even lower by the development of low-VOC and zero-VOC water-based formulations. A continuation of this trend emerging in the global coatings industry has been focused on the development of functional coatings that not only limit emissions of VOCs into the environment but actively extract and remove VOCs that have originated from other sources. A functional coating with VOC remediation capability could improve indoor air quality and provide a means to scavenge VOC emissions from sources that have proven to be more challenging to address.

This investigation is based on two different methodologies. In a first part, ISO 16000-23 European standard has been used as an initial demonstration of the formaldehyde scavenging efficiency of a conventional zero-VOC decorative paint containing tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane and 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol. Even if extended to 6 weeks, this dynamic test is not able to determine the real full scavenging capacity of the studied material. A new method has been developed with the intend to experimentally measure the full capacity of adsorption, and also to test several pollutants present in indoor environment over formaldehyde, enabling to characterize the scavenging versatility of these additives".

Co-Author:


Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

"Every manufacturer is hearing about the “Industrial Internet of Things” (IIoT) or Industry 4.0 and, of course, Artificial Intelligence (AI) – and their promise to revolutionize how we make products.  So, if you ask any expert, “What parameters should I actually be controlling?” you’ll often get a quick “All of them!” answer.  But that’s a cop-out.  It’s easy, but not practical.
The fact is, despite the proliferation of sensing technologies that have endowed us with the ability to monitor virtually every aspect of our environment and process, implementing these comes with a cost. It’s not just about the sensors themselves. It’s also about the supporting network. And the processing. And the effort and energy costs. Unfortunately, these often get ignored during the upfront planning stages, and this can result in some significant surprises on the back end of the project.
Moreover, the hype and promise of AI has a powerful allure, which can only be realized if truly understood and carefully implemented – and when it comes to AI, data is king.
In short, it is essential to balance the cost and effort with the return. Nowhere is this more apparent than with the application of paints and coatings, which often involve the most expensive and energy intensive processes in the manufacturing plant.
In this presentation we will:
    define and contrast IIoT and Industry 4.0 and address their ramifications to modern manufacturers.
    discuss the potential for AI implementation in manufacturing and the requirements to make it successful.
    identify the properties that are essential to monitor at each point in the coating process.
    identify the properties that are essential to control at each point in the coating process.
 describe the best practice to implementing data collection and control to leverage the future of AI."