The Eastern Coatings Federation has announced that The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Polymers and Higher Performance Materials will present an abbreviated short course on new coatings applications during the upcoming Eastern Coatings Show (ECS). The biennial conference will be held May 15–17 at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. Gearing up for its third successful conference, the ECS is the east coast’s largest event dedicated to the coatings, paints, sealants, and adhesives industries. Featured during the event will be cutting-edge technical papers and panel discussions with industry leaders, as well as exhibit sessions and the short course. Organizers anticipate showcasing over 150 exhibitors and hosting 1,500 attendees. To date, over 40 technical presentations have been scheduled.

Waterborne Application Short Course

The four-hour short course is intended to provide an understanding of the principles involved in reformulating to a waterborne system. Designed for coatings chemists and formulators interested in new applications for waterborne coatings, the course introduces the technology of waterborne coatings with an emphasis on the challenges encountered in converting existing solventborne coating systems to water. A series of lectures will be organized around various popular coatings types including acrylic latex, polyester/alkyd, two-component polyurethane, polyurethane dispersion, epoxy, and silicone. Additional topics planned include the use of additives, pigments, and pigment dispersions and application methods for waterborne coatings.

“We are very pleased to have The University of Southern Mississippi participate in the ECS,” said technical committee chair, David White. “This course will provide a great opportunity for people new to the industry to learn about water-based technology.”

Robson Storey, Ph.D., distinguished professor, USM, will serve as program coordinator for the course. In addition to his position as chairman of the Waterborne Symposium, Storey is an inventor on 12 U.S. patents and has published approximately 120 referred journal articles. Other speakers participating in the coatings short course include Dr. Leo Procopio of Dow Chemical, James Reader of Air Products, Dr. Romesh Kumar of Clariant, Dr. Donald Liles of Dow Corning, and Mike Jeffries of Covestro.

Program Registration

The Eastern Coatings Federation has also announced that registration is now open for the Eastern Coatings Show (ECS). The event also boasts a change in venue—Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, which organizers note will accommodate the show’s growing needs for increased exhibit space and attendance. “The goal of ECS is to enhance the experience of all participants,” said Daniel Canavan III, president of ECS 2017. “This new venue gives participants the opportunity to conduct business in a professional setting while offering many leisure activities and resort amenities.” In addition, the ECF was able to secure low nightly rates for participants who will be staying at the hotel during the event.

Eastern Coatings Federation

The ECS is organized by the Eastern Coatings Federation, Inc., a corporation founded by the Metropolitan New York Coatings Association (MNYCA), the Philadelphia Society of Coatings Technology (PSCT), and the New England Society of Coatings Technology (NESCT). The goal of the organization is to serve the coatings industry on a broader national basis exceeding their regional orientations.

Eastern Coatings Federation

To learn more about ECS, including registration rates and housing information, visit https://easterncoatingsshow.com.