How Would You Answer?

PCI recently attended the 2025 European Coatings Show and Conference in Nuremberg, Germany. A highlight for me at this event is always the live audience survey of conference attendees. This was my 9th time attending the ECS, and I enjoy comparing each year’s questions and responses to those from previous years. This year, 140 respondents answered eight questions posed by Damir Gagro, Editor-in-Chief and Director Content, European Coatings Journal and FARBE UND LACK, who moderated the welcome address and opening session. This year’s questions and responses are below.

How many times have you attended the European Coatings Conference?

• It is my first time: 60%
• Three times or more: 25%
• It is my second time: 15%

How do you define bio-based coatings?

• Formulated with more than 50% renewable, bio-based raw materials: 38%
• Formulated with 100% renewable, bio-based raw materials: 28%
• Formulated with more than 80% renewable, bio-based raw materials: 20%
• Other definition: 14%

What drives your R&D activities? (Multiple selections possible)

• Scientific and technological advancements (ramping up efficiency): 72%
• Customer demand: 59%
• Sustainability goals and climate targets: 59%
• Regulatory compliance: 53%
• Cost reduction and process efficiency: 44%
• Competitive pressure: 24%

Are you already using Artificial Intelligence (AI) or machine learning in your R&D activities?

• Initial pilot projects are underway: 33%
• Yes, regularly: 25%
• No, but we plan to in the coming years: 25%
• No, we do not know where to start and have no expert in this field: 10%
• No, we do not see added value at this stage: 7%

In which area do you see the greatest potential for AI in the coatings industry? (Multiple selections possible)

• Optimizing formulations: 68%
• Accelerating product development through simulations: 64%
• Predicting material properties: 49%
• Quality control and defect detection: 34%
• Predictive maintenance: 14%

Which regulatory developments currently pose the biggest challenges for your R&D projects? (Multiple selections possible)

• REACH and restrictions on certain raw materials: 65%
• PFAS regulations: 39%
• VOC limits and air quality regulations: 31%
• Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR): 30%
• Recycling and circular economy requirements: 24%
• Sustainability reporting (e.g. CSRD): 18%

What do you see as the biggest challenge for the coatings industry over the next five years? (Multiple selections possible)

• Stricter regulations: 59%
• Growing demand for more sustainable products: 53%
• Raw material availability and price increases: 46%
• Geopolitical developments: 34%
• Digitalization and automation: 18%
• Skills shortage: 17%

How do you keep yourself updated on the latest technical developments in the coatings industry? (Multiple selections possible)

• Individual internet research: 73%
• Seminars and conferences: 67%
• Information and/or events from raw material suppliers: 57%
• Periodicals and/or technical magazines/books: 36%
• Newsletters: 28%
• Social Media: 19%
• Other: 7%

A few responses stood out to me this year. First, for 60% of the respondents, this was the first time attending the ECS Conference. To me this indicates several possible things: there are many new chemists entering the industry who are seeking information; in-person shows and conferences are back; and companies are investing in learning/finding new technologies, and are prioritizing attendance due to growing R&D pressures.

Also of note, the shift and adoption of AI is taking large strides. The results show that 58% of companies are already using or piloting it, and many see potential in formulation optimization and simulation — core functions for R&D innovation.

I compared the answers to “What drives your R&D activities” with the same question from the conference survey six years ago, and noticed some pretty significant changes. In 2019, “Sustainability” was selected by 30% of respondents as a major driver, and by 59% this year; “Regulations” received 28% of the votes in 2019, and 53% this year; and “Cost Reduction” received 26% of the votes six years ago, and 44% this year. These responses clearly show the growth of the sustainable movement, and how it is intertwined with regulations and costs. Waterborne and bio-based products, life cycle analyses, Scope 1-3 emission measurements, PFAS alternatives, carbon footprint reduction and more have gained momentum across the entire coatings value chain. Interestingly, while competitive pressure scored lowest, the urgency to respond to sustainability and regulation might be the new battleground for competitive advantage.

Whether you attended the ECS or not, you can read our comprehensive overview, What You May Have Missed at ECS 2025. See what PCI learned “behind the scenes” at our booth interviews, media events and discussions with various industry suppliers. We look forward to the next European Coatings Show and Conference, which will take place April 19-22, 2027.