PPG Names David Fenn and Renhe Lin Associate Fellows

PPG announced that it has promoted scientists David Fenn and Renhe Lin to PPG associate fellow. A prestigious designation with the scientific community, the associate fellow title recognizes PPG science and technology employees who consistently deliver excellence in innovation and acknowledges the future value potential they can deliver.

“These promotions represent one of the most significant achievements within the PPG technical organization and serve as a testament to David and Renhe’s invaluable contributions to our growth,” said David Bem, PPG SVP, science and technology and chief technology officer. “It reflects their unwavering focus on mutual value creation for our customers, development of intellectual properties and commitment to mentorship and leadership in the scientific community.”

Fenn, who holds a Ph.D. in polymer chemistry from the University of Birmingham, joined PPG in 1999 following the acquisition of the ICI refinish business. He led the transfer of ICI’s intellectual property and patents to PPG while located in the U.K. before relocating to PPG’s Coatings Innovation Center in 2001. 

Fenn has worked on projects that impact many PPG businesses and earlier this year was granted his 50th U.S. patent. Thus far, his contributions have exceeded $1 billion in sales to PPG, including the launch of acrylic microgels used in PPG ENVIRO-PRIME EPIC electrocoat and low-VOC resins used in PPG NEXA AUTOCOLOR®refinish lines.

Lin, who holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Kentucky, joined PPG’s Aerospace business in 2005 from Sierracin Corporation. With more than 60 issued U.S. patents, he has contributed more than $700 million in value to PPG through the development of proprietary raw material specifications and process know-how for polythioether-based aerospace sealants and polyurethane interlayers for aerospace transparencies.

Lin also created a cure-on-demand patent that helped ultimately develop the first UV-curable aerospace sealant. Throughout the industry, he is an advisor in polymers for aerospace sealant and coatings applications, polymer physics and adhesion.