September 15-17, 2026
The Westin Lombard, IL
The Westin Lombard, IL
Produced by
2026 Agenda
Schedule Subject to Change
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
CSCT Golf Outing
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Short Course I Surfactants and Rheology: Chemistry, Theory, Mechanism and Application
Sam Morell, President, SamMorell.com
Short Course II Resins for Coatings
Michael Praw, Indorama Ventures
12:00 PM - 1:00
Lunch Break
Magnolia Foyer Area
1:00 PM - 4:00
Short Course III Film Formation, Drying and Early Performane of Latex Paints - from MFFT to Blocking Resistance (ASTM-Based Approach)
Dr. Artur Palasz, Spektrochem
Short Course IV Designing Powder Coatings for Harsh Environments - from Pipelines to Electric Vehicles
Eric Casebolt and Nathan Biller, ChemQuest Powder Coating Research
4:00 - 5:30
Hospitality Reception
Stop by registration to pick up your badge and stay to enjoy a drink and light apps with your peers.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
7:15 AM - 8:15
Networking Breakfast
8:20 - 9:20
Keynote Presentation Presentation of Lifetime Achievement Award
9:25 - 10:10
Panel Discussion
10:15 - 11:00
Morning Networking Break
11:05 - 11:35
Resin Developments for Wood Coatings Soy-Based Polyurethane-Acrylic Hybrid Dispersion Technology for Low-VOC Wood Coatings
Jin Lu, Allnex Inc.
Junior Ballroom A
Energy-Cure Coatings UV Coatings for Metal Coil Applications
Michael Kelly, AlliedUV
Junior Ballroom B
Concrete Coatings Designing Acrylic Polymers for High-Performance, Water-Based Concrete Coatings
Neal Rogers, Vinavil Americas
Junior Ballroom C
Innovative Additives for Powder Coatings Silica-Based Alternative to PTFE Texturing Agents for Powder Coatings
Bernhard Resch, Evonik
Lilac
11:40 - 12:10 PM
Resin Developments for Wood Coatings The Right Chemistry: Structure-Property Insights for Next-Generation Wood Coatings
Israel Skoff, Lubrizol Advanced Materials
Junior Ballroom A
Energy-Cure Coatings Opportunities for Energy-Cure Coatings in the Advanced Air Mobility Marketplace
Michael Bonner, Saint Clair Systems Inc.
Junior Ballroom B
Concrete Coatings Colloidal Silica for Topical Cement Applications
Paul Hartzler, Applied Material Solutions
Junior Ballroom C
Innovative Additives for Powder Coatings Sustainable Mineral Innovation: A Multifunctional, PFAS-Free, and Low-Carbon Solution for Next-Generation Powder Coatings
Yanjia Zuo, IMERYS Technology Center
Lilac
12:10 - 1:20
Networking Lunch
Exhibit Hall Open
1:25 - 1:55 PM
Advancing Architectural Coating Performance Hollow Borosilicate Glass Microspheres as Multifunctional Fillers for Next-Generation Cool Roof Coatings
Marcelo Herszenhaut, LEHVOSS North America
Junior Ballroom A
Innovations in Industrial Coatings Breaking the PCBTF Barrier: High-Performance Soy Solvents Redefining Low-VOC Coatings
Kris Weigal, Omni Tech Internationale
Junior Ballroom B
Preservation and Fouling Control Beyond Biocides: Mechanistic Evidence for Nonlethal In-Can Preservation in Waterborne Formulations
Ralph Woerheide, NASOTIC Inc.
Junior Ballroom C
Pigments and Dispersions Thermal Management Dispersions
Michelle Pearce, Vibrantz Technologies
Lilac
2:00 - 2:30
Advancing Architectural Coating Performance The First 24 Hours of a Latex Paint Film
Artur Palasz, Spektrochem Coatings Laboratory, LLC
Junior Ballroom A
Innovations in Industrial Coatings Journey to a Water-Based Alternative for Solvent-Based Conversion Varnish
Michael Jeffries, Covestro
Junior Ballroom B
Preservation and Fouling Control Sustainability and Antimicrobial Performance: A Technical Strategy for Laboratory-Scale Testing of Durable Antimicrobial Performance
Donald Satchell, Situ Biosciences
Junior Ballroom C
Pigments and Dispersions The Future of Sustainable Black Pigments
Richard Ridenour, Sun Chemical
Lilac
2:35 - 3:05
Advancing Architectural Coating Performance One Resin Platform, Multiple Performance Spaces: Long-Term Durability from Architectural to Athletic Surfaces
Karl Booth, Engineered Polymer Solutions
Junior Ballroom A
Innovations in Industrial Coatings Improved Adhesion with Polycaprolactone Polyols
Chuck Jones, Ingevity
Junior Ballroom B
Preservation and Fouling Control Next Generation Fouling Mitigation: Bridging Technology Gaps Through Innovation
Venkateshwarlu Kalsani
Junior Ballroom C
Pigments and Dispersions Mica-Based Effect Pigments for Long-Term Weatherable Coatings: Performance, Protection, and Design Freedom
Bonnie Piro, Sudarshan North America
Lilac
3:10 - 3:40
Afternoon Networking Break
Exhibit Hall Open
3:45 - 4:15
Advanced Additives A Smart Buffer System to Help Maintain Target pH and Support Regulatory Alignment of Formulations
Dino Papagianidis, Omya
Junior Ballroom A
Advancing Waterborne Coatings Faster Drying and Earlier Final Cure of Waterborne Coatings with Microfibrillated Cellulose
Otto Soidinsalo, Borregaard
Junior Ballroom B
Digitalization, AI & Smart Formulation AI-Driven Coatings Innovation from Discovery to Commercialization
Kevin Meyer, PhD, Albert Invent
Junior Ballroom C
Formulating Strategies Designing Better Coatings Through Rheology
Naghmeh Aboualigaledari, NETZSCH
Lilac
4:20 - 4:50
Advanced Additives Optimizing Surface Defect Control in Heavy-Duty Epoxy Applications
Michael Kramer, Borchers: A Milliken Brand
Junior Ballroom A
Advancing Waterborne Coatings Novel Waterborne Alkyd Resin for Architectural Coatings
Bill Bradley, Polynt Composites
Junior Ballroom B
Digitalization, AI & Smart Formulation Hansen Solubility Parameters – A Scientific Approach for Coating Formulators
Sam Morell, samMorell.com
Junior Ballroom C
Formulating Strategies Maximizing the Potential of HEUR Thickeners in Tinted Systems and Beyond
Catherine Vitale, MUNZING North America
Lilac
4:55 - 5:25
Advanced Additives A Coatings Revolution: Practical, Affordable Nanomaterials Enabling Exception Performance
Adam Malofsky, PhD, Nano Catalytics, Inc.
Junior Ballroom A
Advancing Waterborne Coatings Using Low-Field (LF) NMR Relaxation to Accelerate Surfactant Selection and Dosage Optimization in Waterborne Coatings
Dr. David Fairhurst, Colloid Consultants Ltd.
Junior Ballroom B
Digitalization, AI & Smart Formulation Drones, Robotics, and AI, Oh My! The Future of Paint Application
Victoria Scarborough, Ph.D., The ChemQuest Group, Inc.
Junior Ballroom C
Formulating Strategies Meeting the Challenge of Rule 1151 with Formulary Approaches Using Resins and Additives
Anthony Moy, BASF
Lilac
5:30 - 6:45
Networking Reception
Thursday, September 17, 2026
7:30 AM - 8:30
Registration and Breakfast
Exhibit Hall Open
8:30 - 9:00
Additives-Driven Performance Additive Effects on Flash Rust Control and Corrosion Resistance of Waterborne Epoxies
Stéphanie Vanslambrouck, EMCO-Inortech ULC
Junior Ballroom A
Innovations in Powder Coatings Resins and Reasons for the SuperDurable Powder Coatings Surge
Frederick Cummings, Synthomer USA LLC
Junior Ballroom B
PFAS-Free Innovations PFAS-Free Additives to Improve Washability of Architectural Coatings
Julia Zaug, Stepan
Junior Ballroom C
9:05 - 9:35
Additives-Driven Performance Lotus Effect vs Self-Draining Technology
Barry Fruth, ACCESS Rudolf Technologies
Junior Ballroom A
Innovations in Powder Coatings High-Performance Powder Coatings – Driving Corrosion Protection Forward
Tanya Hunter, ICL Phosphate Specialty
Junior Ballroom B
PFAS-Free Innovations Formulating Durable, Easy-to-Clean Functionality Through PFAS-Free Additive Design
Alejandra (Allie) Gonzalez, BYK USA LLC
Junior Ballroom C
9:40 - 10:10
Additives-Driven Performance Functionalized Olefinic Copolymers as Modular Resins or Additives for Next-Generation Coating Formulations
Evan Haidasz, Infineum
Junior Ballroom A
Innovations in Powder Coatings Advancing Pigment Dispersion in Powder Coatings: Mechanisms, Formulation Strategies
Derick Forcha, BYK USA
Junior Ballroom B
PFAS-Free Innovations Novel SPUD Resin Modifier Amps Performance PFAS-Free
Bryan Haltom, DyStar
Junior Ballroom C
10:15 - 10:45
Networking Break
10:50 - 11:20
Next-Gen Materials for Industrial Coatings New White Pigment for Industrial Coatings
Chengeto Gwengo, U.S. Silica
Junior Ballroom A
Emerging Sustainable Coating Technologies Dry-State Paints: Novel Approach and Fast Transition
Ross Harling, Paint Zero Limited
Junior Ballroom B
Optimizing Coatings Processes and Costs The Art of the Cure
Marty Sawyer, Trimac Industrial Systems
Junior Ballroom C
11:25 - 11:55
Next-Gen Materials for Industrial Coatings Silicone Resin Alternatives to Fluorinated Resins for Protective Coatings
Sarah Vezzetti, Evonik
Junior Ballroom A
Emerging Sustainable Coating Technologies Circular Aerosol Recycling Technology
Ganesh Kulkarni, GDB Paint and Coatings
Junior Ballroom B
Optimizing Coatings Processes and Costs LASER-Sustainably Engineering the World’s Fastest Paint and Powder Lines
Chance Willis, IPG Photonics
Junior Ballroom C
12:00 PM - 12:30
Next-Gen Materials for Industrial Coatings PFAS-Free Omniphobic Fabric Coatings through Surface Engineering
Shan Jiang, Iowa State University
Junior Ballroom A
Emerging Sustainable Coating Technologies Recycling Sustainably of Paint and Raw Materials with Circular-Reuse
Huzaifa Matawala, Regent Paints Inc.
Junior Ballroom B
Optimizing Coatings Processes and Costs How to Reduce Formulation Costs
Paul Lewis, E2C, LLC
Junior Ballroom C
12:30
Conference Concludes
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Surfactants and Rheology: Chemistry, Theory, Mechanism and Application
This three-hour short course on “Surfactants and Rheology: Chemistry, Theory, Mechanism and Application” initially reviews the various types and chemical structures of commercially available surfactants. We then dive into an understanding of the role of inter-atomic and inter-molecular attractive forces as it relates to surface tension. The course progresses to a better understanding of various surface activities including surface area, surface tension, surface pressure, wetting, surface transport and micelle formation. We will explore the world of foam with respect to how surface active agents stabilize and de-stabilize bubbles at the surface or as entrained air. Finally, a review of surfactants as an aid to the dispersion process and the measurements of surface tension in both static and dynamic conditions.
The second part reviews the basic principles of rheology including its definition and its influencers - chemical structure, morphology, and environmental conditions. The impact by various deformation forces including compression, tension, torque, and, particularly, shear will be reviewed to demonstrate the resulting flow profiles of viscosity as a function of shear and time. The chemistry and ancestry of current rheological agents will help clarify the appropriate selection of products for various formulation types including waterborne, solventborne, aliphatic, aromatic, and polar systems.
While targeted to formulating chemists, this course is also well suited for marketing, sales, and production personnel. Managers and supervisors would also benefit by having a better understanding, and appreciation, of the important role surfactants and rheology play to the production, storage, transport, and application of quality paints and coatings.
Learn more about CTT Summit's Short Courses
Instructor
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Industrial Coatings
In this three-hour course, we will discuss the various resin chemistries used in coatings (alkyd, acrylic, urethane, etc.) and which to select for the best performance. Also covered will be the various states of resins (waterborne, solvent-based, 100% solids). The different curing mechanisms (coalescence, oxidative cure, 2K baking) and how these relate to the effects on a formulation will also be highlighted to help make decisions easier for the formulator.
Learn more about CTT Summit's Short Courses
Instructor
✕
Film Formation, Drying and Early Performance of Latex Paints – From MFFT to Blocking Resistance (ASTM-Based Approach)
This course will focus on practical formulation strategies and laboratory evaluation, including coalescents, low-temperature film formation, open time, early scrub resistance, blocking, and key ASTM test methods, with a strong hands-on and troubleshooting perspective.
Learn more about CTT Summit's Short Courses
Instructor
✕
Designing Powder Coatings for Harsh Environments – from Pipelines to Electric Vehicles
A key advantage of powder coatings is their ability to deliver durable performance in harsh environments. From architectural aluminum and oil & gas pipelines to electric vehicle applications, OEMs and end users rely on powder coatings to protect components from environmental and mechanical stresses, such as UV exposure, corrosive environments, chemical attack, abrasion, and thermal cycling. Successfully meeting these demands requires a strong understanding of end-use requirements and the powder coating technologies capable of delivering the necessary performance.
This three-hour short course will examine several demanding applications and how powder coatings are designed to meet their unique requirements. Topics will include the key properties needed for each application, the binder chemistries that provide the foundation for coating performance, and the formulation and application strategies used to achieve the desired durability.
Learn more about CTT Summit's Short Courses
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