FOROUGH ZAREAN
Chemist III, Architectural & Industrial Coatings, WACKER
Could you please share your current role, what it entails, and what excites you most about it?
I currently work as a chemist in the Constructions and Coatings team at Wacker. What excites me most about my role is the creative process of developing a coating from the ground up. There’s something truly rewarding about synthesizing a brand-new raw material and then formulating it into a coating that solves a specific challenge for a customer. Seeing an idea go from concept to a finished product that meets real-world needs is what makes my work both fascinating and fulfilling.
What brought you to the coatings industry? Was it part of the plan, or did you discover coatings along the way? Did your educational background shape your path into coatings?
My fascination with chemistry began early on. As a child, I loved pretending to be a chemist—mixing household items to create “sanitizing solutions” or blending flower petals to make plant-based colors.
When I discovered that one of the top universities in my country offered a specialized program in polymers and coatings, I recognized it as a unique opportunity to turn my curiosity into a meaningful career. As I continued my studies, I became increasingly passionate about the coatings industry and its ability to solve real-world challenges, particularly in areas like sustainability and product performance. This led me to pursue advanced degrees in the field, including a doctorate in Polymers and Coatings Engineering Technology from Eastern Michigan University.
Looking back, my journey into coatings was a blend of early interest, educational opportunities, and a desire to contribute to an industry that has a tangible impact on so many aspects of modern life.
How do you stay current with advancements in coatings technology?
By attending coatings conferences, reading industry magazines, serving as an editor for a few coatings journals, and keeping up with as many research papers and patents as I can when time allows. Another great way is staying in close contact with our customers to learn about the latest market trends and evolving end-user needs. At WACKER, we are always striving to maintain strong relationships with our customers and learn from their experiences, which helps us better understand their challenges and develop innovative solutions that truly meet their needs.
Have you faced any significant professional challenges, and if so, how did you overcome them?
Maintaining the ability to balance a career and rising to meet professional ambitions is always challenged by the role of being a mom. To help manage this balance, I rely on a few key strategies.
First, I focus on building a strong support system—both at home and at work. I actively seek out connections with other working moms to share ideas, advice, and encouragement. Having a network to lean on makes a huge difference, whether it’s for practical help or simply for moral support. I also do weekly food prep on weekends, which takes the stress out of weekday meals and frees up valuable time in the evenings for my family.
Finally, I make use of flexible work arrangements whenever possible, such as adjusting my hours or working remotely, which allows me to better meet both my professional and family responsibilities.
What trends or developments do you think are shaping the future of coatings?
In my view, one major trend shaping the future of coatings is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). AI is being used for smarter formulation, process optimization, and quality control, leading to more efficient and innovative products.
A second key trend is the strong focus on sustainability. This includes the development of eco-friendly materials, low-VOC products, PFAS-free formulations, and energy-efficient manufacturing processes, all aimed at reducing environmental impact and meeting regulatory and consumer expectations.
Are there particular industry innovations or shifts you’re excited about?
I am especially excited about the growing focus on sustainability within the coatings industry. Environmental and public health concerns have always been close to my heart—my father was an EHS (Environmental, Health, and Safety) specialist, so I’ve seen firsthand how important these issues are. The development of environmentally friendly coatings is particularly inspiring to me, as these innovations not only help protect the environment and public health, but also create new opportunities for companies to differentiate themselves, meet the rising demand for sustainable products, and establish themselves as responsible leaders in the market.
I am proud to be part of WACKER, a company committed to ambitious sustainability goals and that is actively shaping a more sustainable future for our industry. WACKER is recognized as a pioneer in the chemical sector, and as part of its sustainability targets, aims to reduce its absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2045.
What’s something people outside the industry might not understand or be surprised to learn about working in coatings?
One thing that often surprises people outside the industry is just how many everyday products rely on coatings, especially silicone-based coatings. Most people don’t realize that silicone coatings are used in a wide range of applications—from architectural paints, roof and floor coatings that protect and enhance buildings, to the nonstick surfaces on high-heat-resistant cookware. Silicone coatings are also found in more specialized areas, such as anti-graffiti coatings that help keep public spaces clean, and anti-fouling coatings that protect ships and underwater structures from marine growth. It’s fascinating to see how these advanced materials quietly improve the performance, durability, and functionality of so many things we use and encounter every day.
What keeps you motivated and eager to come to work each day?
What keeps me motivated is the opportunity to learn something new and to collaborate with talented coworkers. I enjoy being in an environment where I can expand my knowledge, share ideas, and work together to solve interesting challenges that meet customer needs and provide them with value-added products. Knowing that I am making a meaningful contribution makes the job truly fulfilling.
What opportunities or unique advantages does your company offer that someone new to the workforce or not too familiar with coatings should consider as a career pathway?
One of the things I truly appreciate about WACKER is its supportive, inclusive, and highly diverse culture. From day one, new employees are welcomed into a collaborative environment where learning and growth are actively encouraged. For women in particular, there are excellent opportunities to connect with and learn from women in leadership roles, which I have found both inspiring and empowering. Being able to seek guidance from those who have navigated similar career paths can make a real difference, especially for those just starting out or exploring a new industry.
In addition, WACKER’s strong commitment to innovation and sustainability means you’ll be part of a team working on meaningful projects with real-world impact. For those new to the workforce or the coatings industry, WACKER is an excellent place to learn, grow, and discover a wide range of career possibilities.
Forough Zarean is a chemist with extensive experience in developing and modifying organic-inorganic coatings for architectural and industrial applications. She currently works as a chemist III at WACKER, where she has contributed to innovative solutions in the field of silicone-based coatings since 2021.
Before joining WACKER, Zarean was a doctoral fellow in Polymers and Coatings at Eastern Michigan University. During her five years there, she contributed to groundbreaking research on environmentally benign coatings for various applications, including aerospace and wood coatings.
Zarean’s work has been published in several scientific journals, and she has been recognized with awards for her contributions to environmentally friendly coating technologies.
Email: forough.zareanshahraki@wacker.com