Kerry Pianoforte, Editor06.12.23
The Southern Society for Coatings Technology held its 85th Annual Technical Conference April 23-26 at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Miramar Beach, FL. The first full day of the conference began with a keynote address titled, “Impact Energy Absorbing Materials: From Nanoparticles to Coatings, Mobility is the Key,” presented by Daniel Savin of the University of Florida.
Nanoparticles (NPs) are known to improve physical properties of polymer coatings, but complete dispersion is sometimes problematic. The first part of the presentation explored developments of polymer-grafted NPs in terms of how NP design affects polymer confirmation, mobility and dispersion into polymer coatings. The second part of the presentation discussed energy-absorbing films utilizing thiol-ene ‘click’ reactions.
The second day of the conference began with a keynote address from a community outreach specialist from the FBI titled “Counterintelligence Brief.” This presentation outlined ways to prevent data exposure.
The technical conference featured 21 presentations and two coating courses covering topics ranging from mobility and sustainability to functionality and productivity.
Attendees and exhibitors were generally pleased with the content and attendance at this year’s conference.
“The SSCT means three things to me as a business owner and coatings formulator,” said Jeff Smythe, president, Warren Paint and Color Company. “First, it’s a place to go to gain knowledge and continue my education in coatings formulation via technical talks and speaking directly with scientists. Second, the contacts that I have made over the years have been invaluable in my industry as a business owner. Third, it’s a place to give back to the industry in service through educational and leadership opportunities.”
Ben York, technical manager – coatings, Burgess Pigments, noted that this year’s technical conference in Sandestin was a success with a great turnout. “The SSCT meeting is a great way to network with others in the coatings industry, and the technical talks are always very good. The SSCT prides itself as being one of the strongest technical societies with a strong membership. Our members realize the benefits of belonging to our society such as connecting with others in the industry, continuing education through our short course program, and discounted rates at some very nice resorts where our meeting is held annually.”
“The 2023 Annual SSCT Meeting was an excellent mix of technical presentations and open forum social events,” added Steve Cooper, consulting chemist at Pattern Paving Products.“I was able to find and discuss many of the options I am working on with several raw material producers. Within the 300+ attendees there was always someone who was working on a product similar to some of the new SKUs that Pattern Paving Products is working to bring to the marketplace.”
“Our company is celebrating our 50th year this year and for most of those years, the SSCT annual meeting has been prominent on our calendar,”said Jack McMahon, president, Majemac Enterprises, Inc. “As varied as our business has become, we are discerning about all of the various trade organizations to which we belong and meeting to attend. We find that our annual attendance at the SSCT is very beneficial to Majemac. The 2023 annual meeting was especially well attended by coatings manufacturers, which is obviously very important. The attraction for those companies is content. This year’s technical program was excellent featuring a wide array of speakers and everyone with whom I spoke agreed.”
“Over the course of the conference, attendees were commenting on the quality of the talks, number of manufacturers in attendance, overall attendance, tabletop setup early into the program and one afternoon reserved for just tabletops where attendees did not have to pick between a talk or tabletops and networking opportunities,” said Laura Fosselman, SSCT executive secretary.
The 2024 SSCT Annual Technical Meeting is being held at The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, in St. Petersburg, FL,
June 3 - 5. For more info: email ssct.org@gmail.com.
Nanoparticles (NPs) are known to improve physical properties of polymer coatings, but complete dispersion is sometimes problematic. The first part of the presentation explored developments of polymer-grafted NPs in terms of how NP design affects polymer confirmation, mobility and dispersion into polymer coatings. The second part of the presentation discussed energy-absorbing films utilizing thiol-ene ‘click’ reactions.
The second day of the conference began with a keynote address from a community outreach specialist from the FBI titled “Counterintelligence Brief.” This presentation outlined ways to prevent data exposure.
The technical conference featured 21 presentations and two coating courses covering topics ranging from mobility and sustainability to functionality and productivity.
Attendees and exhibitors were generally pleased with the content and attendance at this year’s conference.
“The SSCT means three things to me as a business owner and coatings formulator,” said Jeff Smythe, president, Warren Paint and Color Company. “First, it’s a place to go to gain knowledge and continue my education in coatings formulation via technical talks and speaking directly with scientists. Second, the contacts that I have made over the years have been invaluable in my industry as a business owner. Third, it’s a place to give back to the industry in service through educational and leadership opportunities.”
Ben York, technical manager – coatings, Burgess Pigments, noted that this year’s technical conference in Sandestin was a success with a great turnout. “The SSCT meeting is a great way to network with others in the coatings industry, and the technical talks are always very good. The SSCT prides itself as being one of the strongest technical societies with a strong membership. Our members realize the benefits of belonging to our society such as connecting with others in the industry, continuing education through our short course program, and discounted rates at some very nice resorts where our meeting is held annually.”
“The 2023 Annual SSCT Meeting was an excellent mix of technical presentations and open forum social events,” added Steve Cooper, consulting chemist at Pattern Paving Products.“I was able to find and discuss many of the options I am working on with several raw material producers. Within the 300+ attendees there was always someone who was working on a product similar to some of the new SKUs that Pattern Paving Products is working to bring to the marketplace.”
“Our company is celebrating our 50th year this year and for most of those years, the SSCT annual meeting has been prominent on our calendar,”said Jack McMahon, president, Majemac Enterprises, Inc. “As varied as our business has become, we are discerning about all of the various trade organizations to which we belong and meeting to attend. We find that our annual attendance at the SSCT is very beneficial to Majemac. The 2023 annual meeting was especially well attended by coatings manufacturers, which is obviously very important. The attraction for those companies is content. This year’s technical program was excellent featuring a wide array of speakers and everyone with whom I spoke agreed.”
“Over the course of the conference, attendees were commenting on the quality of the talks, number of manufacturers in attendance, overall attendance, tabletop setup early into the program and one afternoon reserved for just tabletops where attendees did not have to pick between a talk or tabletops and networking opportunities,” said Laura Fosselman, SSCT executive secretary.
The 2024 SSCT Annual Technical Meeting is being held at The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, in St. Petersburg, FL,
June 3 - 5. For more info: email ssct.org@gmail.com.