The Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology announced preliminary program plans for the 2004 International Coatings Technology Conference and Annual Meeting Technical Program, scheduled for October 25-29 in Chicago in conjunction with the International Coatings Expo (ICE). Advance registrations are being accepted, the FSCT says.

The Annual Meeting Technical Program will include more than 80 presentations reflecting a theme of "Challenge-Change- Opportunity," with sessions planned on Environmentally Compliant Coatings; Pigments and Extenders; Formulation; High Throughput Applications; Surfactants and Defoamers; Weathering/Durability; UV/Radiation Technology; Pigment Concentrates and Additives; and Advances in Analytical Methods.

The Coatings Technology Conference program will include two-day, one-day and half-day courses on various topics, including: Six Sigma, additives, polymer technology, crosslinking, waterborne coatings, principles of paint formulation, color science and technology, maintenance coatings, powder coatings, high-throughput methodology, coatings technology for the nontechnologist, advances in photochemical polymerization, nanotechnology and nanocomposites, anticorrosion coatings, global regulatory changes, design of waterborne resins, and the impact of color.

More information and updates are available on the FSCT Web site, www.coatingstech.org.