Pigment selection and surface finishing performance are becoming more complex as coatings manufacturers balance appearance, durability, sustainability and regulatory requirements.

In this Q&A, Ralph Bartel, technical services manager, North America CASE, Ingredients + Specialties, Univar Solutions, discusses formulation challenges tied to PFAS replacement, resin technology and multifunctional finishes.

Ralph, Bartel, technical services manager, North America CASE, Ingredients + Specialties, Univar Solutions

He also explains how newer pigment technologies and surface treatments are helping coatings deliver performance beyond color.

PCI: Can you start with a brief overview of your role and the types of technologies your team is working on within pigments and finishing chemistries?

Bartel: I serve as technical services manager for the North America CASE market at Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions. I have more than 40 years of research and development experience in CASE applications, with a strong background in coatings manufacturing. My technical expertise spans a broad range of chemistries, including epoxies, pigmented moisture-cure urethanes, two-component polyurethanes, polyurethane dispersions, acrylics and UV-curable systems.

Throughout my career, I have supported diverse applications such as concrete and wood coatings, athletic and traffic surfaces, floor polishes, elastomeric roof coatings, architectural finishes, metal pipe coatings and proppants. I have spent the past three years leading the CASE laboratory at the Houston Solution Center for Univar Solutions. Our Solution Center and field application technical teams supply and support a wide portfolio of specialty chemical solutions for the CASE market, working closely with both suppliers and customers to deliver technical insight, application development and industry-specific problem solving.

PCI: What are the biggest formulation challenges coatings manufacturers are facing today when it comes to pigments and surface finishing performance?

Bartel: Coatings manufacturers are currently navigating several significant challenges, including the industrywide effort to eliminate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These materials have historically been widely used to help achieve low surface tension, good leveling and high-quality film appearance in many formulations. As a result, replacing PFAS while maintaining attributes such as glass-smooth finishes and hot-block resistance can be complex, depending on the application. While alternative technologies are emerging and continue to advance, achieving the same breadth of performance across diverse systems remains an active area of development.

Univar

Another major challenge lies in the adoption of more sustainable resin technologies. In some applications, bio-based or renewable resins can involve performance or economic trade-offs compared to traditional fossil-derived systems. Depending on the chemistry and end-use requirements, formulators may encounter limitations related to mechanical strength, long-term durability or cost at scale, making widespread commercial adoption more complex in certain markets.

At the same time, the coatings industry is experiencing a new wave of innovation focused on multifunctional finishes. Beyond aesthetics and surface protection, manufacturers are increasingly incorporating added functionalities such as self-healing capabilities, where microcapsules rupture to help repair cracks, or antimicrobial properties in regulated applications to help enhance performance and value in demanding applications.

PCI: How are newer pigment technologies or surface treatments improving properties like durability, opacity and weatherability in real-world applications?

Bartel: Modern pigment technologies are evolving beyond color delivery to actively help enhance coating durability, functionality and efficiency. Advances such as surface-treated titanium dioxide, engineered particle structures and emerging self-healing systems also help improve resistance to degradation, scratching and abrasion while extending service life. Some advances can optimize light-scattering efficiency to help improve opacity and reduce pigment loading, supporting more efficient and sustainable coating formulations. Through advanced control at the molecular and nanoscale, modern pigment technologies are being engineered to help deliver performance benefits beyond color.

Together, these innovations underscore a fundamental shift in pigment technology, from aesthetic additives to multifunctional materials that help actively enhance coating performance.