Key takeaways from this newsletter:

• The momentum behind sustainability in the U.S. coatings industry is growing.
• Throughout the conference, numerous solutions outlined below were presented to advance sustainability in coatings, with contributions from both raw material suppliers and software providers. 

The 2025 Eastern Coatings Show reinforced the growing momentum behind sustainability in the U.S. coatings industry. Held May 13-15 in Atlantic City, NJ, the event brought together 1,200 attendees and featured over 40 technical presentations, with more than a third dedicated to sustainability advancements.

A key focus was the elimination of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in coatings, a topic that garnered significant discussion. Several presentations explored the replacement of fluorosurfactants with phosphate esters, an approach gaining traction for maintaining block resistance in architectural coatings.(1,2,3) It has been suggested that phosphate esters migrate to the coating-air interface, forming a loose boundary layer that prevents blocking. Other strategies involve designing resin systems that allow coatings to coalesce while achieving a hard surface, minimizing the need for PFAS additives.(4) Additionally, non-fluorinated waxes and their dispersions were highlighted as viable alternatives to fluorinated materials.(5)

Biorenewability was another major theme. Dow presented its biobased resin, with expectations that a North American coating using this material will launch later this year.(6) Covestro showcased partially biobased resins for industrial coatings(7), while polysaccharide-based dispersants were discussed for their ability to effectively disperse titanium dioxide.(8) Presentations also explored natural waxes(9,10) and the development of defoamers free of mineral oils and siloxanes.(11)

Regulatory challenges surrounding biocide use were addressed by Arxada, which proposed two solutions: a multi-functional additive to enhance in-can biocide efficacy, and encapsulated dry-film preservatives that extend durability while reducing environmental toxicity by slowing leaching rates.(12)

Beyond raw materials innovations, software companies are making strides in sustainability as well. Uncountable demonstrated how its AI-powered formulation software enables rapid reformulation in response to shifting environmental regulations.(13) By leveraging structured data and machine learning, organizations can adjust formulations more efficiently to stay ahead of evolving requirements.

Throughout the conference, numerous solutions were presented to advance sustainability in coatings, with contributions from both raw material suppliers and software providers. The industry’s ongoing efforts signal a strong commitment to developing environmentally responsible coatings for the U.S. market.

#sustainable #pfas #fluorosurfactants #biobased #biorenewable #biocide #AI
 

(1)  Xiangtao Meng of Dow, “Phosphate Esters as Alternatives to PFAS Surfactants for Block Resistance.”

(2) Brian Vest of Syensqo, “Sustainable Alternative to PFAS in Waterborne Coatings: a Novel Approach to Early Hot Block Resistance.”

(3)  Mashid Niknahad of Byk, “Next-Generation Coatings: PFAS-Free Solutions for Block Resistance in Architectural Coatings.”

(4) Robert Sandoval of EPS, “Formulation Flexibility and Enhanced Performance in Architectural Coatings Without Relying on Fluorinated Additives.”

(5) Kelly Carluccio of Munzing, “Innovative Solutions: Replacing PFAS in Coatings for a Sustainable Future.”

(6)  Michelle Gallagher of Dow, “Detailed Assessment of Performance, Bulk Volatile Organic Componds, and Emission Analysis of Acrylic Bio-based Polymers and Paints as Benchmarked Against Fossil Feedstock Based Controls.” 

(7) Daniel Wang of Covestro, “Partially Biobased Resins for High Perfomance Coatings: Performance based on Chemistry.”

(8) Bailey Mclean of Integrity Biochem, “Novel Bio-based Polymers Aiding in Pigment Dispersions.”

(9) Bruce Berglund of CHT, “High Performance Sustainable Wax-Based Surface Modifiers.”

(10) Rich Czarnecki of Micropowders, “Enabling Sustainable Coatings With Natural Surface Modifiers.”

(11) Catherine Vitale of Munzing, “Defoamer Evolution Advancing Mineral Oil Free Defoamer.”

(12) Derrick Okull of Arxada, “Novel Innovations to Address Reduced Regulatory Limits in Wet and Dry Film Preservation.”

(13) Joseph Sanz of Uncountable, “How to Formulate Ahead of Environmental and Sustainability Regulations.” 

(photo credit: igor omlaev, unsplash.com)