The annual CHINACOAT Conference is one of the highlights of CHINACOAT, and this year’s program is no exception. This year, the 15th Annual CHINACOAT Conference will cover “Emerging Technologies & Formulations for Innovative Coatings Applications,” which presents paint and coatings manufacturers with intriguing opportunities for growth.

Prof. Dr. Jamil Baghdachi, of Eastern Michigan University, who is this year’s CHINACOAT Conference chairman, said that emerging technology Is an ideal theme for this year’s conference.

“While the coating technologies have reached certain maturity, new challenges have emerged,” Dr. Baghdachi observed. “The industry is being impacted by a combination of three essential challenges of multi-functionality, sustainability/safety and cost/efficiency. To thrive amid ever-fiercer global competition and to respond to high tech application needs, suppliers must focus on innovation and one of its key enablers, Emerging Technologies. With increased demands for coatings that can perform multifunctional tasks and at the same time produced economically and safely, there has emerged a new class of materials that are grouped as Emerging Technology products.” 
In particular, this year’s conference will focus on multi-functionality, which Dr. Baghdachi noted is one of the key drivers in Emerging Technology coatings and their rapid growth. 
“Coatings with high commercial viability and name recognition such as self-healing, superhydrophobic, antimicrobial, easy/self-cleaning and a collection of multi-functional coatings with improved durability are the focus of this one and half-day conference,” he added.

Dr. Baghdachi noted that the papers in this conference have been selected to provide a broad knowledge of formulation and application of emerging technology coatings. 
“While all papers provide novel approaches and the latest information, papers discussing ‘responsive nature’ and multi-functionality of coatings present road maps for future product design,” Prof. Baghdachi noted “The opening and discussion sessions will present current and technology trends as well as global technology and commercial trends.”   


After opening remarks by Dr. Baghdachi, the CHINACOAT Conference will begin with Session I: Multi-functional, Sustainable Coatings & Additives. Prof. Limin Wu of Fudan University will present the Keynote Paper, “Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Functional Polymer Coatings.” 

The other presentations in Session I include:
• “Water-borne Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Systems – Innovative Binders for Environmentally Friendly Two Pack Zinc Dust Paints” - Frank Gao, Evonik Specialty Chemicals (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
• “Waterborne Cationic Polymers – An Innovative, Eco-friendly Binder Technology for Primers & Antimicrobial Coating Applications” – Dr. Jurgen Scheerder, DSM Coating Resins.
“A New & Unique Opportunity to Favor Overcoatability in Multi-Layer Systems” – Dr. Horst M. Sulzbach, BYK-Chemie GmbH.
After lunch, Session II: Weather, Dirt & Algae Resistant, Anti-Bacterial & Corrosion Sensing included these presentations:
• “Developments in Super Dirt Pickup Resistant Coatings” – Roger Shou, Lubrizol Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., and 
Larry Schnieders, Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc.
• “Synthesis & Characterization of Structural Anti-Bacterial Waterborne Polyurethane via Click Chemistry” – Prof. Glenn Hu, South China University of Technology.
• “Improved Corrosion Resistance Based on Sulfonated Graphene / Waterborne Polyurethane Coatings” – Dr. Jihu Wang, Shanghai University of Engineering Science.
• “Waterborne PVDF Coatings Technology to Address the New Environmental Regulation in China” – Dr. An Du, Arkema Inc.
The conference then resumes this afternoon with Session III: Innovative Coatings & Technology Trends, which features these speakers:
• “The Future of Coatings Chemistry & Processes: Needs & Answers/New Performances” – Prof. Thomas Brock, The Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences.
• “Preparation & Self-healing Behaviors of a New Self-Healable Coating” – Prof. Hongbo Liang, Nanchang Hangkong University. 
• “A New Soybean Oil-based Reactive Diluent for Low VOC Solvent-borne Wood Stains” – Dr. Zhigang Chen, Rust-Oleum Corporation.