Mitigation of Static Ignition Hazards when Handling Solvents and Flammable Liquids
Chairman
Sean Makin Regional Sales Manager - Newson Gale
Step Exhibitions, Orchard House, North Farm Road
Tunbridge Wells, TN2 3XF, UK
Conference 2026 Seminars
09:30 - 09:50
09:30 - 09:50
Navigating UK Chemical Regulation
Speaker
Elaine McGavin Regulatory & Responsible Care Lead - CBA
09:50 - 10:10
Effective Tools for Water Pollution Prevention
Speaker
David Cole Technical Director - Sandfield Penstock Engineering
09:50 - 10:10
Legislative Challenges of Placing Products on the Market in the UK and EU
Speaker
Dr Eleanor Grimes Regulatory Affairs Specialist - Lisam Systems
10:10 - 10:30
Impact of Packaging EPR to the Coatings Sector
Speaker
Danny Stapleton Torres Policy Advisor - Valpak
11:10 - 11:30
PFAS-free Surface Treatments Using Sustainable Ingredients
Speaker
Prof. Manish Tiwari University College London
11:30 - 12:00
Journey to Net Zero For The Coatings Industry
Speaker
Zoe Slade Sustainability Manager - British Coatings Federation
11:30 - 11:50
Performance Re(de)fined: Advanced Crystalline Silica-free Organoclay
Speaker
Kevin Spittka Head of Technical Service Marine & Protective - BYK Chemie
12:00 - 12:30
The Political Landscape: What’s Visible and What’s Over the Horizon?
Speaker
David Park Public Affairs Manager - BCF
14:00 - 14:20
Optimisation Of A Novel Radcure Coil Coating Formulation
Speaker
Reagan Locke Research Engineer - Swansea University
14:20 - 14:40
Bio-Based Reactivity for Next-Gen Coatings
Speaker
Frederique Catterman Sales Manager - Cardolite Specialty Chemicals Europe NV
14:40 - 15:00
A Universal TiO2 Grade for Evolving Regulatory Requirements: Meeting Challenges with Innovation
The coatings industry continues to face increasing pressure from evolving regulatory and voluntary standards. Trimethylolpropane (TMP), a common surface treatment for TiO₂, was moving toward a higher hazard classification; while circumstances have evolved, it remains self-classified as Reprotoxic Category 2. This drives the need for alternatives that meet performance and compliance requirements across architectural, industrial, and powder coatings.
This paper outlines the changing regulatory landscape and shows how Chemours’ TMP-free grades provide a viable path forward. This grade offers improved wetting and enhanced dispersibility, delivering reliable performance while supporting compliance with food contact requirements and future regulatory expectations.
Speaker
Shalinder Dhillon Technical Service Senior Consultant, Coatings, Titanium Technologies - Chemours
14:40 - 15:00
Comfort Properties Enhancement with Hollow Glass Microspheres in Paints and Coatings
Speaker
- Michael Wimmer Innovation Sales Manager - OMYA
09:30 - 10:30
CLP and Hazard Communication – Challenges for Industry
More information coming soon....
Speakers
Caroline Raine Regulatory Officer - BASA
Kathryn Tearle Regulatory Affairs Manager - British Coatings Federation
Simon Ward Senior Manager - Thermo Fisher Scientific
09:30 - 09:50
What’s Expected of Business in a Changing Sustainability Reporting Landscape
Speaker
Danish Zaiful Azri Regulatory & Supply Chain Support - Chemical Business Association
09:35 - 09:50
The Benefits of Solar Energy and Choosing the Correct System for Your Company
Most of us can agree that installing solar panels and generating renewable energy can be beneficial, not just for the environment, but the bank balance and company image too. Producing your own electricity and becoming less reliant on purchasing energy can also protect companies from external factors that heavily influence the cost of electricity, and increase competitiveness, ultimately due to lower energy costs. When it comes to choosing the correct system, there are numerous options, both in terms of hardware and how to finance the project, and we also must not forget ongoing maintenance.
This presentation will briefly explain the concept of solar energy and expand on the three main systems that are available, but it will also the two main ways to pay for a solar installation, as no one system or finance option will fit every situation. The presentation will draw upon practical experience of managing an installation from conception to realisation and detail some of the issues encountered and solutions provided to deliver a solar installation.
Speaker
Paul Sheppard Immediate Past President - OCCA
09:50 - 10:10
Continuing the Cycle of Health, Safety and Environmental Improvements in 2026 through the Global Responsible Care Programme
Speaker
Dr Karen Harvey Membership Manager - Chemical Business Association
10:10 - 10:30
Supply Chain Engagement and Carbon Management Performance
Speaker
Koen Nickmans Business Development & Sustainability Manager - Lawrence Industries
11:30 - 12:00
From REACH to Reality: Legislative Trends Reshaping Adhesives and Sealants
Speaker
Lorna Williams CEO - BASA
11:30 - 12:00
Is Artificial Intelligence A Benefit Or Threat to Materials and Corrosion Engineering?
Speakers
Andrew Duncan Lead Consultant - Intertek CAPCIS
Dan Lester Corrosion Engineer - Intertek CAPCIS
12:00 - 12:30
Graphene as an Additive for Advanced Coating Systems
Speaker
Dr Aula Alwattar Application Specialist - Graphene@Manchester
12:30 - 13:30
Early Careers Panel
Speakers
- James Plant SIA
- Leah Elvin BCF
- Bushra Khan OCCA
- Phoebe Cawley Davies BASA
- James Plant SIA
Isla Taylor Technical Lead - OCCA / Lorama
14:00 - 14:20
Paint Recycling for End-of-life Coil Coated Products
Speakers
Anna Voytyukova Research Engineer - Swansea University
James Smith Global R&D Project Manager - Beckers Group- Prof. Matthew Lloyd-Davies Head of the Applied Photochemistry Group - Swansea University
14:20 - 14:40
Observations When Formulating Paints and Coatings – Errors, Understanding Reasons and How to Avoid Problems
Speaker
Markus Dimmers Head of Technical Marketing - Alberdingk Boley
14:40 - 15:00
Cutting-edge Carbodiimide Crosslinkers for Water-based Coatings
Speaker
Joan Pareda Technical Business Support - Stahl
16:00 - 16:30
Sustainable and Biobased Surface Coatings Using Polylactic Acid and Micro-Fibrillated Cellulose
Speaker
Dr Ke Ren Postdoctoral Research Fellow - RSC SCIG and University of Birmingham
16:00 - 17:00
The Vital Role of the Chemical Supply Chain and the Challenges and Opportunities it Faces
Speakers
- Daneille Barfoot Shrewdd Marketing
- Marcos Clowes
- Ross Straughan Nordmann UK
- Richard Gilkes Stort Group
- Alastair Gardner Head of Trade and Investment, Chemicals a - Department for Business & Trade
- Danish Zaiful Azri Regulatory & Supply Chain Support - Chemical Business Association
Tim Doggett Chief Executive Officer - Chemical Business Association (CBA)
16:30 - 17:00
Non-Isocyanates Polyurethane Coatings
Speaker
Dr Daisy Rabbitt Research Fellow - RSC SCIG. University of Birmingham
