16 June - 17 June 2026

Innovations in polymeric coatings

Organised by:

SCI’s All-Ireland Group and Materials Chemistry Group

SCI, London, UK

Prices start from £175.00

Early bird offer ends 27 April 2026

Synopsis

This two-day symposium aims to cover the field of polymeric coatings and promote new developments in the field. Through a combination of workshops, academic and industrial presentations and panel discussion, attendees will learn the fundamentals of polymeric coatings as well as learning about new developments in the field and real-world applications of coating technology. Presentations will focus on disruptive technologies within the field of polymeric coatings used in marine, textile, construction, and barrier coatings for packaging as well as key drivers for new developments with a call for abstracts in the following areas:

• New developments in polymeric coatings technology and processes
• Innovations in coating efficiency and performance
• Characterisation of coatings
• Developments in sustainable coatings
o Lower PCF products
o Adopting sustainable materials
• Policy and regulatory considerations on coatings

Attendees

This symposium aims to bring together leading researchers from both academia and industry working in the field of polymeric coatings to promote collaboration and new developments. The event will provide networking opportunities between industry and academia to develop new connections and facilitate knowledge sharing.

There will be a poster session to allow early career researchers to present their work and network.

Programme

Tuesday 16 June

10.00: Registration and refreshments
10.30: Welcome and introduction
10:35: Coating workshops
Mike Praw
10.40: Coatings raw materials and their use in formulations
11.10: Pigments and pigment dispersions
11.40: Resins for coatings
12.10: Coating defects
12.40: Lunch and posters

Regulatory challenges and opportunities for polymeric coatings

13.40: The evolving regulatory landscape: How biocides and ecolabel regulations are redefining polymeric coatings
Hayley Comerford, Synthomer
14.10: Regulatory and policy landscape for polymeric coatings
Prof Aleksandra Cavoski, University of Birmingham
14.40: To be confirmed
15.10: Refreshment break

New developments in industrial coatings

15.30: Navigating innovation: Technological, regulatory, and market drivers shaping polymer development in marine and protective coatings
Dr Adrian Lee, Akzo Nobel
16.00: Protective thin films for blade leading edges: Polymers and metallic systems
Prof Robert Wood, University of Southampton, nCATS
16.30: Breaking and making bonds: New approaches to crosslink control in protective and powder coatings
Dr Gareth Crapper, Northumbria University
17.00: Closing remarks
17.10: Networking and posters
18.00: Close of day one

Wednesday 17 June

09.30: Welcome and introduction

New innovations in sustainable coatings

09.40: Biosourced polymers for sustainable surface cleaning
Prof Clare Mahon, Durham University
10.10: Structure formation during drying of films
Prof Alex Routh, University of Cambridge
10.40: Microfibrillated cellulose/polylactic acid hybrid coatings with an improved water resistance, mechanical durability, and antiviral performance
Dr Ke Ren, University of Birmingham
11.10: From energy efficient composite manufacturing to a circular economy
Han Zhang, 2026 Beilby Medal Winner
11.40: Lunch and posters

Developments in barrier coatings for packaging

12.40: Make paper better with Ingeo PLA
Julian Schmeling, NatureWorks
13.10: Drivers for barrier needs in FMCG products
Dr Will Connolly, Diageo
13.40: Refreshment break
14.10: Polymer surface characterisation with photoinduced force microscopy: mapping chemistry at the nanoscale
Prof Phil Davies, Cardiff University
14.40: Polymer structure at interfaces: Insights from molecular simulations
Prof Flor Siperstein, University of Manchester
15.10: Application of dynamic vapor sorption to evaluate moisture protection in coated products
Dr Andrew Davies, Surface Measurement Systems
15.50: Panel discussion
16.30: Closing remarks
16.40: Conference close

Sponsorship information

Please see the sponsorship pack and email conferences@soci.org to let us know which package you are interested in.

Call for posters

Contributions are invited from both academic and industrial researchers working in the field of polymeric coatings to submit an abstract for a poster presentation. An abstract of maximum 250 words indicating title, authors and institution should be sent to conferences@soci.org by Thursday 30 April 2026 with the subject line “Innovations in polymeric coatings - abstract submission”. An abstract template can be downloaded and prizes will be awarded for the best poster.

Accessibility Grants

SCI accessibility grants are available to support SCI members with disabilities, long term health conditions, those who require a carer, and members who are nursing parents to attend SCI events. Download an application form to apply for a grant.

Venue and Contact

SCI

14/15 Belgrave Square
London
SW1X 8PS

Conference Team

Tel: +44 (0)20 7598 1561

Email: conferences@soci.org

Fees

Before early bird- ends Monday 27 April
SCI Member - £175
Non-member - £225
Student member - £100

After early bird
SCI Member - £245
Non-member - £315
Student member - £140

All registrations will automatically receive a confirmation within 24 hours of registering for the event. Should you not receive written confirmation of your booking, please email conferences@soci.org.

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Booking Process/Deadlines

Booking terms and conditions

CPD Info

All delegates attending this meeting are able to claim CPD points.

Organising committee

Gordon Armstrong, University of Limerick
Richard Greenwood, University of Birmingham
Samantha Molina Gutierrez, Synthomer
James Wickson, Croda Europe
Zhenyu Jason Zhang, University of Birmingham