Seminar Programme

Explore the full Surfex 2026 seminar programme.
Choose sessions across parallel tracks and build your personlised visit.

Programme Overview

Advanced Coating Science & Innovation

Breakthrough materials, formulations, and research shaping the next generation of coating solutions

Health, Safety & Responsible Practice

Best practice approaches to safety, risk management, and responsible operations across the coatings lifecycle

Regulatory Frameworks & Compliance Trends

Key regulatory updates and compliance developments impacting the coatings and chemicals industry

Supply Chain, Policy & Market Landscape

Insights into market trends, policy influences, and evolving global supply chain challenges

Sustainability, Net Zero & Corporate Responsibility

Strategies, technologies, and commitments supporting sustainability, decarbonisation, and responsible business practices

Technology, Testing & Performance

Emerging technologies and advanced testing methods driving improved coating performance, reliability, and real-world application validation

View the programme for the days you plan to attend

From first coat to final finish.

For best results, add a second layer.

View the programme for the days you plan to attend

From first coat to final finish.

For best results, add a second layer.

Theatre A

10:10

Weathering and Corrosion Testing of Coatings and Surfaces

[view]

Room A

Speaker

11:30

From REACH to Reality: Legislative Trends Reshaping Adhesives and Sealants

Room B

Speaker

12:00

Towards Circularity: Regulatory Pathways for Sustainable Adhesives & Sealants

Room A

Speakers

14:00

Remaining Solvent? Emerging Risks, Regulations, and Real-World Solutions in the European Solvents Sector

[view]

Room A

Speakers

16:00

The Vital Role of the Chemical Supply Chain and the Challenges and Opportunities it Faces

Room A

Speaker

  • Tim Doggett Chief Executive Officer - Chemical Business Association (CBA)

Theatre B

09:30

CLP and Hazard Communication – Challenges for Industry

[view]

Room B

Speakers

11:30

Is Artificial Intelligence A Benefit Or Threat to Materials and Corrosion Engineering?

Room B

Speakers

12:00

Graphene as an Additive for Advanced Coating Systems

Room B

Speaker

14:00

Solutions for Direct To Metal Applications

Room B

Speaker

14:20

Observations When Formulating Paints and Coatings – Errors, Understanding Reasons and How to Avoid Problems

Room B

Speaker

14:40

Cutting-edge Carbodiimide Crosslinkers for Water-based Coatings

Room B

Speaker

16:40

Building Sustainable Polymers into Coatings

[view]

Room B

Speaker

Theatre C

09:30

What’s Expected of Business in a Changing Sustainability Reporting Landscape

Room C

Speaker

09:50

Continuing the Cycle of Health, Safety and Environmental Improvements in 2026 through the Global Responsible Care Programme

Room C

Speaker

10:10

Supply Chain Engagement and Carbon Management Performance

Room C

Speaker

  • Koen Nickmans Business Development & Sustainability Manager - Lawrence Industries

11:30

An Introduction to Working with the University of Warwick Spectroscopy, an Introduction Lessons in Growing a UK Chemical Startup Understanding Your Surface – Applications of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy in Surfaces and Coatings,Bringing industry and academia together: the multitude of ways to engage

Room C

Speakers

  • Claire Gerard Warwick Scientific Services Manager - University of Warwick
  • Ben Breeze Platform Manager, Spectroscopy Research Technology Platform - University of Warwick
  • Shaun Morris Business Manager (Surface Modification), Interface Polymers - Warwick University
  • Dr Marc Walker Photoemission Research Technology Platform Manager - University of Warwick
  • Daniel Lester Platform Manager, Polymer Characterisation Research Technology Platform - University of Warwick

14:00

Paint Recycling for End-of-life Coil Coated Products

Room C

Speakers

14:20

PFAS-free Surface Treatments Using Sustainable Ingredients

Room C

Speaker

14:40

Flip and Stick: Polyester Latexes via Phase Inversion for Adhesive Applications

Room C

Speaker

16:00

Sustainable and Biobased Surface Coatings Using Polylactic Acid and Micro-Fibrillated Cellulose

Room C

Speaker

  • Dr Ke Ren Postdoctoral Research Fellow - RSC SCIG and University of Birmingham

16:30

Non-Isocyanates Polyurethane Coatings

Room C

Speaker

TechFocus A

09:30

Advanced Waterborne Acrylic Solutions for Direct-to-Metal Coatings: Applications and Performance Results

TechFocus A

Speaker

09:50

Lubrizol Solutions for PFTE Replacement in the Coatings Industry

TechFocus A

Speaker

  • View full profile for Dr Gehan EltananyDr Gehan Eltanany Technical Marketing Manager - Lubrizol - Performance Coatings Group

10:10

Training: Its Role in Successful and Profitable Coatings Application

TechFocus A

Speaker

11:30

Managing the Regulatory Burden Post Brexit

TechFocus A

Speaker

11:50

The Latest Developments in MFFT Acrylic Resins for Decorative Coatings Which Addresses Everyday Problems Such as Surfactant Leaching Defects, Efflorescence Resistance and General Paint Performance

TechFocus A

12:10

TAFIGEL® PUR and TAFIGEL® AP Rheology Modifiers – The Optimal Flow Profile for Your Application

TechFocus A

Speaker

  • Daniel Grobmann Technology Coordinator - Coatings, Adhesives & Defoamers - Munzing Chemie

14:00

Compensating for the Poor Spacing and Crowding of TiO2 in Waterbased Coatings Using High Performance Composite Pigments

TechFocus A

Speaker

  • Paul Dietz Group Technical Director - FP-Pigments Oy

14:20

The OPTIMINE™ Advantage: A Next-Generation Alternative to AMP

TechFocus A

Speaker

14:40

Presentation by Lawrence Industries

TechFocus A

Speaker

16:00

Development and Optimisation of a Waterbased Anticorrosive Direct to Metal Binder

TechFocus A

Speakers

TechFocus B

12:10

Presentation by Energenics

Speaker

Theatre A

09:30

Chemical Compliance for Coatings: How to Systematically Identify Duties and Achieve Global Market Access

Room A

Speaker

09:50

Effective Tools for Water Pollution Prevention

Room A

Speaker

  • View full profile for David ColeDavid Cole Technical Director - Sandfield Penstock Solutions

10:10

Are You Confident in the Safety of Your Bulk Container Transfer Operations?

Room A

Speaker

11:50

Biobased Rheology Additive for Reduced Spatter in Architectural Coatings

Room A

Speaker

  • View full profile for Roberto MazzariRoberto Mazzari Global Director Market Segment Coatings & Construction - CHT Group

12:10

Future Proofed Defoamers for Architectural Coating Formulations  

Room A

Speaker

  • Christine Louis Technical Expert Decorative Coatings EMEA | Coating Additives - Evonik Operations GmbH

14:00

Optimisation Of A Novel Radcure Coil Coating Formulation

Room A

Speaker

14:20

Bio-Based Reactivity for Next-Gen Coatings

Room A

Speaker

14:40

Comfort Properties Enhancement with Hollow Glass Microspheres in Paints and Coatings

Room A

Speaker

Theatre B

09:30

Navigating UK Chemical Regulation

Room B

Speaker

09:50

Legislative Challenges of Placing Products on the Market in the UK and EU

Room B

Speaker

10:10

Impact of Packaging EPR to the Coatings Sector

Room B

Speaker

11:30

Performance Re(de)fined: Advanced Crystalline Silica-free Organoclay

Room B

Speaker

  • View full profile for Kevin SpittkaKevin Spittka Head of Technical Service Marine & Protective - BYK Chemie

11:50

14:00

UK Reach Update

Room B

Speaker

14:20

GBCLP Update

Room B

Speaker

14:40

A Universal TiO2 Grade for Evolving Regulatory Requirements

Room B

Speaker

Theatre C

09:30

Challenges for Efficacy Testing of Antimicrobial Coatings and Surfaces

Room C

Speaker

09:50

Oxygen Barrier Coatings for Recyclable Mono-material Food Packaging

Room C

Speaker

10:10

Crosslinking of Melamine Containing Coatings from the Nano-perspective

Room C

Speaker

11:30

Journey to Net Zero For The Coatings Industry

Room C

Speaker

  • Zoe Slade Sustainability Manager - British Coatings Federation

12:00

The Political Landscape: What’s Visible and What’s Over the Horizon?

Room C

Speaker

14:00

Surface Pre-treatment For Improved Barrier Properties

Room C

Speaker

14:30

Tactile Perception: a Frictional and Acoustic Approach

Room C

Speaker

  • Prof. Jason Zhang Professor of Soft Matter Engineering - RSC SCIG and University of Birmingham

TechFocus A

10:10

Advancing Architectural and Wood Coatings : Bio-Based Binders to Design Low VOC, Low Carbon Footprint and High-Performance Waterborne Paints

TechFocus A

Speaker

11:30

SPHERILEX: Enabling High-Durability Matt Coatings with Advanced Precipitated Silica Technology

TechFocus A

Speaker

  • Christine Louis Technical Expert Decorative Coatings EMEA | Coating Additives - Evonik Operations GmbH

11:50

Multiple Light Scattering for Early Detection of Instability in Paint and Coating Dispersions

TechFocus A

Speaker

12:10

Latest MODAFLOW Development from Allnex

TechFocus A

Speaker

14:00

Understanding the Relation Between TiO2 and Coloured Pigment Choice When Formulating for Minimum Cost and Carbon Footprint

TechFocus A

Speaker

  • Andy White Business Unit Director Paints and Plastics - FP-Pigments Oy

14:20

Understand & Control Surface Consistency

TechFocus A

Speaker

TechFocus B

09:30

TechFocus B

New Performance Edge from Anomera’s Advanced and Eco-Friendly Cellulose

TechFocus B

Speaker

09:50

TechFocus B

High Performance Bio-Based Dispersing Agents

TechFocus B

Speaker

09:30

Room B

CLP and Hazard Communication – Challenges for Industry

[view]

Room B

Speakers

Room C

What’s Expected of Business in a Changing Sustainability Reporting Landscape

Room C

Speaker

TechFocus A

Advanced Waterborne Acrylic Solutions for Direct-to-Metal Coatings: Applications and Performance Results

TechFocus A

Speaker

09:50

Room C

Continuing the Cycle of Health, Safety and Environmental Improvements in 2026 through the Global Responsible Care Programme

Room C

Speaker

TechFocus A

Lubrizol Solutions for PFTE Replacement in the Coatings Industry

TechFocus A

Speaker

  • View full profile for Dr Gehan EltananyDr Gehan Eltanany Technical Marketing Manager - Lubrizol - Performance Coatings Group

10:10

Room A

Weathering and Corrosion Testing of Coatings and Surfaces

[view]

Room A

Speaker

Room C

Supply Chain Engagement and Carbon Management Performance

Room C

Speaker

  • Koen Nickmans Business Development & Sustainability Manager - Lawrence Industries

TechFocus A

Training: Its Role in Successful and Profitable Coatings Application

TechFocus A

Speaker

11:30

Room A

From REACH to Reality: Legislative Trends Reshaping Adhesives and Sealants

Room B

Speaker

Room B

Is Artificial Intelligence A Benefit Or Threat to Materials and Corrosion Engineering?

Room B

Speakers

Room C

An Introduction to Working with the University of Warwick Spectroscopy, an Introduction Lessons in Growing a UK Chemical Startup Understanding Your Surface – Applications of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy in Surfaces and Coatings,Bringing industry and academia together: the multitude of ways to engage

Room C

Speakers

  • Claire Gerard Warwick Scientific Services Manager - University of Warwick
  • Ben Breeze Platform Manager, Spectroscopy Research Technology Platform - University of Warwick
  • Shaun Morris Business Manager (Surface Modification), Interface Polymers - Warwick University
  • Dr Marc Walker Photoemission Research Technology Platform Manager - University of Warwick
  • Daniel Lester Platform Manager, Polymer Characterisation Research Technology Platform - University of Warwick

TechFocus A

Managing the Regulatory Burden Post Brexit

TechFocus A

Speaker

11:50

TechFocus A

The Latest Developments in MFFT Acrylic Resins for Decorative Coatings Which Addresses Everyday Problems Such as Surfactant Leaching Defects, Efflorescence Resistance and General Paint Performance

TechFocus A

12:00

Room A

Towards Circularity: Regulatory Pathways for Sustainable Adhesives & Sealants

Room A

Speakers

Room B

Graphene as an Additive for Advanced Coating Systems

Room B

Speaker

12:10

TechFocus A

TAFIGEL® PUR and TAFIGEL® AP Rheology Modifiers – The Optimal Flow Profile for Your Application

TechFocus A

Speaker

  • Daniel Grobmann Technology Coordinator - Coatings, Adhesives & Defoamers - Munzing Chemie

TechFocus B

Presentation by Energenics

Speaker

14:00

Room A

Remaining Solvent? Emerging Risks, Regulations, and Real-World Solutions in the European Solvents Sector

[view]

Room A

Speakers

Room B

Solutions for Direct To Metal Applications

Room B

Speaker

Room C

Paint Recycling for End-of-life Coil Coated Products

Room C

Speakers

TechFocus A

Compensating for the Poor Spacing and Crowding of TiO2 in Waterbased Coatings Using High Performance Composite Pigments

TechFocus A

Speaker

  • Paul Dietz Group Technical Director - FP-Pigments Oy

14:20

Room B

Observations When Formulating Paints and Coatings – Errors, Understanding Reasons and How to Avoid Problems

Room B

Speaker

Room C

PFAS-free Surface Treatments Using Sustainable Ingredients

Room C

Speaker

TechFocus A

The OPTIMINE™ Advantage: A Next-Generation Alternative to AMP

TechFocus A

Speaker

14:40

Room B

Cutting-edge Carbodiimide Crosslinkers for Water-based Coatings

Room B

Speaker

Room C

Flip and Stick: Polyester Latexes via Phase Inversion for Adhesive Applications

Room C

Speaker

TechFocus A

Presentation by Lawrence Industries

TechFocus A

Speaker

15:30

16:00

Room A

The Vital Role of the Chemical Supply Chain and the Challenges and Opportunities it Faces

Room A

Speaker

  • Tim Doggett Chief Executive Officer - Chemical Business Association (CBA)

Room C

Sustainable and Biobased Surface Coatings Using Polylactic Acid and Micro-Fibrillated Cellulose

Room C

Speaker

  • Dr Ke Ren Postdoctoral Research Fellow - RSC SCIG and University of Birmingham

TechFocus A

Development and Optimisation of a Waterbased Anticorrosive Direct to Metal Binder

TechFocus A

Speakers

16:20

16:30

Room C

Non-Isocyanates Polyurethane Coatings

Room C

Speaker

16:40

Room B

Building Sustainable Polymers into Coatings

[view]

Room B

Speaker

09:30

Room A

Chemical Compliance for Coatings: How to Systematically Identify Duties and Achieve Global Market Access

Room A

Speaker

Room B

Navigating UK Chemical Regulation

Room B

Speaker

Room C

Challenges for Efficacy Testing of Antimicrobial Coatings and Surfaces

Room C

Speaker

TechFocus B

New Performance Edge from Anomera’s Advanced and Eco-Friendly Cellulose

TechFocus B

Speaker

09:50

Room A

Effective Tools for Water Pollution Prevention

Room A

Speaker

  • View full profile for David ColeDavid Cole Technical Director - Sandfield Penstock Solutions

Room B

Legislative Challenges of Placing Products on the Market in the UK and EU

Room B

Speaker

Room C

Oxygen Barrier Coatings for Recyclable Mono-material Food Packaging

Room C

Speaker

TechFocus B

High Performance Bio-Based Dispersing Agents

TechFocus B

Speaker

10:10

Room A

Are You Confident in the Safety of Your Bulk Container Transfer Operations?

Room A

Speaker

Room B

Impact of Packaging EPR to the Coatings Sector

Room B

Speaker

Room C

Crosslinking of Melamine Containing Coatings from the Nano-perspective

Room C

Speaker

TechFocus A

Advancing Architectural and Wood Coatings : Bio-Based Binders to Design Low VOC, Low Carbon Footprint and High-Performance Waterborne Paints

TechFocus A

Speaker

11:30

Room B

Performance Re(de)fined: Advanced Crystalline Silica-free Organoclay

Room B

Speaker

  • View full profile for Kevin SpittkaKevin Spittka Head of Technical Service Marine & Protective - BYK Chemie

Room C

Journey to Net Zero For The Coatings Industry

Room C

Speaker

  • Zoe Slade Sustainability Manager - British Coatings Federation

TechFocus A

SPHERILEX: Enabling High-Durability Matt Coatings with Advanced Precipitated Silica Technology

TechFocus A

Speaker

  • Christine Louis Technical Expert Decorative Coatings EMEA | Coating Additives - Evonik Operations GmbH

11:50

Room A

Biobased Rheology Additive for Reduced Spatter in Architectural Coatings

Room A

Speaker

  • View full profile for Roberto MazzariRoberto Mazzari Global Director Market Segment Coatings & Construction - CHT Group

Room B

TechFocus A

Multiple Light Scattering for Early Detection of Instability in Paint and Coating Dispersions

TechFocus A

Speaker

12:00

Room C

The Political Landscape: What’s Visible and What’s Over the Horizon?

Room C

Speaker

12:10

Room A

Future Proofed Defoamers for Architectural Coating Formulations  

Room A

Speaker

  • Christine Louis Technical Expert Decorative Coatings EMEA | Coating Additives - Evonik Operations GmbH

TechFocus A

Latest MODAFLOW Development from Allnex

TechFocus A

Speaker

14:00

Room A

Optimisation Of A Novel Radcure Coil Coating Formulation

Room A

Speaker

Room B

UK Reach Update

Room B

Speaker

Room C

Surface Pre-treatment For Improved Barrier Properties

Room C

Speaker

TechFocus A

Understanding the Relation Between TiO2 and Coloured Pigment Choice When Formulating for Minimum Cost and Carbon Footprint

TechFocus A

Speaker

  • Andy White Business Unit Director Paints and Plastics - FP-Pigments Oy

14:20

Room A

Bio-Based Reactivity for Next-Gen Coatings

Room A

Speaker

Room B

GBCLP Update

Room B

Speaker

TechFocus A

Understand & Control Surface Consistency

TechFocus A

Speaker

14:30

Room C

Tactile Perception: a Frictional and Acoustic Approach

Room C

Speaker

  • Prof. Jason Zhang Professor of Soft Matter Engineering - RSC SCIG and University of Birmingham

14:40

Room A

Comfort Properties Enhancement with Hollow Glass Microspheres in Paints and Coatings

Room A

Speaker

Room B

A Universal TiO2 Grade for Evolving Regulatory Requirements

Room B

Speaker