CPMA Marks 100 Years of Industry Leadership

The Color Pigments Manufacturers Association (CPMA) celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sept. 15, 2025 in Cleveland, commemorating a century of leadership and innovation in the global pigments sector.

This milestone was celebrated with a special luncheon during this year’s CAD RETEC, the largest technical conference in North America devoted to the coloring of plastics.

As part of the centennial celebration, CPMA honored industry leaders and partners whose contributions have shaped the pigment industry over recent decades. Awards were presented across multiple categories, highlighting both the association’s rich history and its vision for the future of color pigments sector.

• The Industry Leader Awards were presented to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and whose contributions have helped guide the industry forward. Recipients included several leaders from the Shepherd Color Company, with current CEO Tom Shepherd accepting the award on behalf of his father, John Shepherd, representing four generations of family leadership. Other recipients included Ron Levi, president of Bruchsaler Farben and Myron Petruch, president and CEO of Sun Chemical

• The Industry Innovator Awards recognized trailblazers whose vision and impact have driven innovation within the color pigments industry. Among the honorees was the late Charles Hoover of Hoover Color, with his son Charles Hoover Jr. accepting the award in his honor. Other recipients included several innovators from Sun Chemical, including chief technology officer Russel Schwartz.

• The Industry Champion Awards honored pigments industry experts and dedicated committee participants whose contributions have been instrumental in promoting the industry and advancing the association’s advocacy initiatives. Recipients included Earl Seibert of Sun Chemical, Gary Strassell of Shepherd Color, David Thompson, and Dr. Mark Vincent of Chroma Specialty Chemicals.

• Industry Partners Recognitions honored CPMA’s key value chain partners whose long-standing collaboration has advanced the pigments industry worldwide. Recipients included Eurocolour, the Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC), the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM), and Rodman Media. Additional honorees recognized in this category include the American Coatings Association (ACA), ETAD and Fanwood Chemical, Inc.

For the full list of industry award recipients and recognitions, check out CPMA’s 100th anniversary magazine at www.coatingsworld.com/cpma100.

In addition, the milestone event brought together past leaders and chairs of the association, whose leadership and dedication have guided CPMA’s evolution and success over the years.

“This centennial celebration reflects not just our past achievements, but our commitment to innovation and collaboration that will drive our industry forward for the next 100 years. Together, we continue to build the foundation for a vibrant and sustainable future of color, ” says Aaron Hollman, CPMA board chair.