Gathering at Shanghai's Guangfulin · "Paint" Meets Underwater Millennia · A Brilliant Recap of the "Coating the Industrial Future" Technology Exchange Salon!
"Paint" Meets Underwater Millennia · A Brilliant Recap of the "Coating the Industrial Future
On May 23rd, the Shanghai Kastar "Paint" Meets Underwater Millennia・Coating the Industrial Future Industrial Coatings Technology Exchange Salon successfully concluded at the Prime Minister Hotel in Shanghai's Guangfulin. Renowned international suppliers including Milliken's additives division Borchers®, Dow Chemical, and Imerys, along with Kastar’s technical experts and end customers from related fields, gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on core raw material innovation, formulation optimization, and application scenarios for industrial coatings.
Guest speech
Mr. Ye Qingfeng, General Manager of Shanghai Ye Hua Technology Co., Ltd, stated in his opening address: "when centuries of coating craftsmanship wisdom meet the tide of modern industrial innovation, this salon becomes a dialogue between tradition and breakthrough". He highlighted how coating additives have evolved from ancient techniques to becoming the "magic key" for performance optimization in today's industrial coatings—especially as core technologies in sectors like new energy and high-end equipment manufacturing. Facing opportunities presented by the "dual-carbon" initiative and smart manufacturing, Mr. Ye called on industry peers to leverage the salon platform for knowledge sharing, trend discussions, and collaborative exploration. Together, he urged, the industry can advance industrial coatings toward a more sustainable future—greener, smarter, and more efficient.
Meeting Agenda
Dr. Neil Simpson, Global Coatings Technology Director of Milliken, and Zhang Xiaoni, Asia-Pacific Technical Service Manager, conducted an in-depth presentation on "Borchers Additives Drive Sustainable Coatings Development", focusing on the dual challenges of environmental protection and performance enhancement in the coatings industry, highlighting three major innovation directions:
1. Cobalt-Free Catalytic Technology: Introduced high-performance catalysts (HPC) to replace traditional cobalt driers, achieving 60-70% bio-renewable raw material utilization, addressing regulatory risks and ethical concerns of traditional cobalt-based solutions, while surpassing conventional approaches in key performance aspects including fast drying, water resistance, and corrosion protection.
2. Tin-Free Polyurethane Catalytic Solutions: Targeting the toxicity and environmental shortcomings of traditional tin catalysts, demonstrated alternative solutions using bismuth, zinc and other metal compounds, achieving low yellowing and high gloss through formulation optimization while meeting EU regulatory requirements.
3. Rheology Additive Innovations: Introduced Borchi® Gel series thickeners, utilizing non-associative acrylic technology and associative polyurethane technology to reduce system stratification, improve spray atomization and anti-splashing performance, particularly suitable for waterborne coating systems, helping reduce VOC emissions and processing costs.
He stated that additives, as the "key" to optimizing coating performance, are driving breakthroughs in the industry toward low-carbon, high-efficiency, and multifunctional directions through innovative approaches such as ligand technology and microencapsulation.
Milliken Asia-Pacific Market Development Manager Chen Qiongzhu delivered a presentation titled "Milliken Coating Additive Solutions—The Art of Dispersion and Rheology Technology," focusing on pigment dispersion and rheology optimization in industrial coatings. New additions included the Borchi® Gen dispersant series: Gen1757 (compatible with bismuth vanadate pigments, high-pigment-load dispersion), Gen1750 (aqueous transparent iron oxide dispersion, anti-settling), Gen5113/5115 (solvent-based cost-effective options, compatible with carbon black/titanium dioxide). The presentation also reiterated key products from the previous session: Gen0851, Gen0451, and Gen1252. For rheology additives, the focus was on: Gel0620 (low-shear anti-sagging), Gel PN (thixotropic thickening) with an emphasis on eco-friendly compatibility.
Dow Chemical (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Application Technology Service Engineer Shi Lili presented a thematic discussion titled "Small Amount, Big Impact: Functional Solution Exploration of Silicone Coating Additives", introducing DOWSIL™ 8590/106F defoamers, DOWSIL™ 213S slip and scratch-resistant additive, and UV-curable coating additives 601T/603T silicone elastomer powders. The presentation highlighted the newly launched DOWSIL™ 213S from the DOWSIL™ silicone slip/scratch-resistant additive series. DOWSIL™ 213S demonstrates high compatibility and stability in water-based inks and overprint varnish (OPV) applications, while offering excellent compatibility and wear resistance in water-based industrial coatings and automotive interior coatings. Additionally, it boasts high environmental friendliness, being free from benzene-series compounds and organotin. Dow has also introduced the digital platform PaintVision.Dow.com to support formulation development.
Highlights
Imerys Performance Minerals Asia Pacific Coatings Application Scientist and Technical Service Expert Zhao Xu presented "The Application of Mineral Fillers in Coatings", featuring Imerys' innovative SteaShield® 10W ultra-high-aspect-ratio talc product. Utilizing the proprietary HAR® exfoliation process, it maintains lamellar structure while delivering high whiteness and barrier properties, with excellent resistance to salt spray, acids/alkalis, and water, while retaining superior mechanical performance (adhesion, hardness, etc.). Additionally, Imerys' new Wuhu plant has commenced operations, specializing in ultrafine and high-aspect-ratio talc production to serve related industrial clusters.
Kastar Technology Director Hao Yinjie engaged in an in-depth discussion on the understanding of adhesion promoters, with a primary focus on silane coupling agents among various types of adhesion promoters. The presentation culminated in proposing lanthanum-based adhesion promoter solutions from multiple perspectives including acid/alkali/salt spray resistance of paint films, as well as adhesion enhancement for water-based ambient-temperature self-drying systems, amino baking paints, difficult-to-bond substrates, and UV free-radical curing systems. Regarding challenging substrates, the discussion expanded beyond the melamine substrates emphasized in the previous seminar to include polyolefin materials and super-wear-resistant coatings.
Inspired exchange
During the conference break, the thematic coffee break meticulously prepared by Kastar became a "secondary venue" for technical exchange.
As night fell and lanterns illuminated, Kastar's meticulously prepared appreciation banquet commenced in grandeur at the Prime Minister Hotel in Guangfulin. Classical eaves intertwined with modern lighting as industry elites raised their glasses to celebrate collaborative partnerships, with the fervor of technical discussions extending seamlessly from the seminar venue to the banquet tables.
Kastar’s General Manager He Jianquan Takes the Stage for Opening Remarks
Dr. Neil Simpson, Global Coatings Technology Director of Milliken, and Gao Xiang, Asia Pacific Business Director of the Coatings Additives Division, took the stage to deliver their speeches
Milliken's Additives Division (Borchers®), Dow Chemical, Imerys, and Kastar jointly prepared exclusive gift sets featuring practical items like fleece vests, Xiaomi power banks, Bluetooth earphones, and neck massagers - all highly praised by attendees!
The warmth of technology lies in solving problems; the future of our industry lies in moving forward together! Finally, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the friends who have followed and supported this event. Let us meet again at the next salon, where we will continue our dialogue on industrial coating technologies and refine coating solutions. Until then, we look forward to seeing you all again!
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