The Energy-Curing Industry Looks Ahead to RadTech 2024

Sustainability is becoming an ever-increasing trend in our lives, and the business world is no exception. This is certainly true of the energy-curing industry; UV, UV-LED and EB curing offers plenty of advantages compared to competing technologies.

With that in mind, “Today’s Choices, Tomorrow’s Future: UV+EB for Sustainable & Responsible Manufacturing” is the theme for RadTech 2024, RadTech International North America, The Association for Ultraviolet and Electron Beam Technologies’ biennial convention. Scheduled for May 20-22 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, RadTech 2024 will feature three short courses (which will be held on May 19), 30 conference sessions with more than 90 presentations and more than 65 exhibitors.

In addition, there will be a series of panel discussions with experts taking on some of the most important topics of today and the future, including the following:

•  Monday, May 20 – “What is the Next Killer App for 3D Printing?”
•  Tuesday, May 21 – “Hot Melt Adhesives and Hot, Hot, Hot”
•  Tuesday, May 21 – “UV/EB for Coil Coatings”

In particular, the UV/EB for Coil Coatings session is going to take a good look at a growing area for UV in the coatings section, and will feature speakers from Beckers Group and AkzoNobel.

“We are very excited about the technical conference and panel discussions planned for RadTech 2024,” said Mickey Fortune, associate executive director, RadTech – The Association for UV+EB Technology. “The conference features industry-leading speakers and sessions focusing on the latest UV/EB technology advancements for existing and future markets.

“In addition to advancements in chemistry, sustainable alternatives, and regulatory challenges, we will also explore how UV/EB plays a role in emerging applications like coil coatings, electric vehicles, and batteries,” Fortune added. “The emphasis will be on how UV/EB chemistry enables technologies across various industries, including automotive, wood, metal, and plastic coatings.”

Fortune said that while the pandemic significantly impacted industrial conferences and tradeshows worldwide, he is excited to report that RadTech 2024 is expected to grow in several key areas.

“This reflects the industry’s eagerness to embrace the newest sustainable and responsible manufacturing developments,” Fortune pointed out. “The enthusiasm is palpable with the exhibit floor nearly at capacity and pre-registration figures climbing. An increase in the diversity and expertise of our speakers suggests a broadening of the conference’s horizon, delving into more subjects and providing more profound insights into the realm of UV/EB technology. We’re on track to deliver our most outstanding event in recent years.”

Fortune said that the UV/EB industry is currently at a critical juncture, navigating the dual forces of burgeoning interest in sustainable and responsible manufacturing and the regulatory complexities surrounding the chemicals essential for these processes, but the industry is prepared.

“We are fully equipped to meet these challenges, making this year’s event crucial for professionals in the coatings and ink sectors,” Fortune said. “RadTech 2024 is set to not only support the current users of UV/EB technologies but also to encourage collaboration among stakeholders to innovate and penetrate new markets.”

“RadTech events have consistently been a catalyst for innovation across the UV and EB sectors, and this year, we anticipate new end-users will bring fresh markets and novel challenges to the forefront, showcasing the dynamic and evolving nature of our industry,” Fortune added.

Fortune discussed some of the innovations for this year’s RadTech, starting with the increased emphasis on sustainability.

“Although it might not be considered a completely new feature, the collective enthusiasm for UV and EB technology as a driving force behind the future of sustainable and responsible manufacturing continues to be a compelling aspect of our industry,” said Fortune. “To better cater to the business aspects of our event, we’ve introduced several enhancements.

“Notably, we’ve arranged specific times dedicated solely to the exhibition, preventing overlap with conference sessions and thereby granting attendees ample opportunity for in-depth networking with exhibitors,” he added. “Furthermore, this year, the eagerly anticipated new product debut session is being relocated to the exhibit theater, providing a platform for attendees to discover the latest innovative products presented by our exhibitors.”

Fortune reported that in addition, the IUVA Americas Conference, the foremost event in the UV disinfection field, will be co-located with the RadTech conference, enriching the breadth of topics and networking opportunities available.

“We’re also excited to announce the introduction of expert panel discussions on topics such as UV Hotmelt Adhesives, Coil Coatings, The Future of Automotive Coatings, Finding the Next Killer App for 3D Printing, among others, with a new emphasis on the investors and venture capitalists behind these cutting-edge applications,” said Fortune. “We will also host our industry EHS leaders in a Regulatory Town Hall to discuss the latest challenges and opportunities on the UV/EB regulatory front.”

Attendees’ Expectations

Attendees are looking forward to this year’s RadTech. Pauline Maillot, technical manager for Beckers Group, said this will be her first year attending RadTech, so she is looking forward to it.

“The focus on sustainability of this year show is particularly interesting as it aligns with Beckers’ priorities and core values,” Maillot added.

George Fortman, marketing manager – construction and infrastructure – Americas at Allnex, noted that RadTech is an opportunity to showcase Allnex’s latest offerings and to connect with established and new customers.

Katelyn Pongia, manager, communications for business at Arkema, said that Arkema is looking forward to this year’s show.

“The shift toward sustainability and better UV/LED/EB materials is more apparent than ever, and RadTech brings members all throughout the industry together to inspire and push our developments forward,” Pongia said.

Mike Kelly, chief customer officer, Allied PhotoChemical, Inc., said that he is “very much” looking forward to this year’s RadTech
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“RadTech is an intimate trade show, with realistic time to truly network and collaborate together,” Kelly continued. “This is a great industry of professionals dedicated to improving US manufacturing competitiveness with sustainable UV technology, based on the new LED curing process.”

“RadTech is so many things for me it is difficult to summarize,” David Engberg, business development director resins and coatings for Perstorp AB, said. “It is about learning new things about a technology that always has more and new things to offer. At every new RadTech, there are new developments and trends to discover to feed anyone and everyone with a curious mind. But most of all it is about the people, to meet old and new friends again and discuss on a topic that we are all passionate about.”

Chris Davis of IST America said that RadTech “is the premier application event where we get a refined audience of experts that are very interested in the space where formulation meets application.”

One key aspect are the new application areas for UV/EB to grow into.

“UV/EB technology is still at its early stages in the coil coating industry,” Maillot said. “However, the benefit of radiation cure systems compared to current solvent borne products are multiple and makes UV/EB an interesting and attractive alternative with growth potential in the coil coating industry.”

Pongia said that Arkema is “definitely” seeing new applications.

“As the need for lower-energy intensity and safer solutions increases, we see opportunities in de-inking solutions for recyclability of packaging, UV/EB-cured coil coatings, low migration in coatings and inks, and battery components,” Pongia added.
“I believe coil coating are more and more discovering the benefits of UV/EB curing so it will be exciting to follow this development,” Engberg said.

“There is a continued interest in adopting UV/EB technology to reduce carbon footprints and the overall sustainability of finished goods,” said Fortman.

“We are creating these markets proactively – our company’s philosophy is not to wait, but lead,” Kelly said. “The UV process is an awesome tool to utilize across all market verticals. Leveraging our relationships with our key suppliers to identify new market opportunities is key to attending RadTech.”

There are numerous advantages in attending RadTech, beginning with meeting with leaders throughout the supply chain.

“Our suppliers and customers are attending RadTech this year, which makes it even more attractive for us” Maillot noted. “We appreciate the opportunity to meet with all of them during the show.”

“For Allnex, RadTech presents a unique opportunity to showcase the UV/EB technology in a way that is not diluted by other coatings solutions,” Fortman observed. “It creates a great opportunity for us to connect with equipment manufacturers and other partners to the industry.”

Kelly said that networking, establishing new and proactive business relationships, evaluating the competitive landscape and teaching new employees the technology and introduction to key supplier partners and employees are the major advantages of attending RadTech show.

As for highlights of this year’s program, Kelly said that LED curing technology, new sustainable raw materials and new innovations in the UV process, including LED, UV measurement, best industry practices and more are some of the highlights he is looking forward to. Davis is looking forward to seeing the continuing interest in hybrid platforms (LED+UV+excimer), developments in LED as well as high output UVC for direct curing.

Maillot said that the focus on sustainability through multiple speakers and panels will probably be the highlight for her.

“Being able to see its impacts and benefits from suppliers to end-users should bring engaging questions and conversations between all parties,” Maillot added.

“Sustainability is in the forefront of everyone’s mind for sure,” Fortman said. “I am certain highlights will include topics on how UV/EB technology can help create better end products using more efficient manufacturing processes with less energy, faster processing times, and reduced VOCs.”