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Agenda

The 2023 program has been released! 

Meet the speakers from Ford, P&G, Sun Chemical, Eckart, BYK, PPG, PRA, Schlenk Metallic Pigments, Sierra Rutile Limited, Orion, Iluka, Penn Color, TiPMC Consulting, and more.

Hear presentations and panels covering enhanced TIO2 sustainability, digital color rendering, jetness, the value chain and outlook, aluminum pigments, and much more.
 

Please click on the dates below to see each day's program!


Registration Opens & Continental Breakfast
Registration Opens & Continental Breakfast
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Session I: State of the Pigments and TiO2 Industry
< Session Description >
In this session, delegates will hear the latest industry developments with overviews in the pigment and tio2 intermediates market, and an update on recent acquisitions as well as the impact of current events.
Prelude to Pigments
  • The economic backdrop: industrial growth, trade & monetary inflation
  • Rising importance of: climate change, sustainability, health & safety
  • Pigments, as the vital ingredients
  • Trends in pigment end-use applications
  • Recent events in the pigment & allied industries
  • Impact of legislation & prospective changes
  • Innovations & technological advances
  • The world of TiO2 & coloured pigments in 2030

Reg Adams | Chief Executive, Artikol
2023 -TiO2 Value Chain Review and Outlook
2023 has continued to be a challenging year for TiO2 Industry participants. Underlying demand remained low, with many observers calling it the quietest coatings season in memory.  Plastics customers are seeing large destocking in some segments. Asia, led by China, is fading from the post-lockdown surge following the Lunar New Year. TiO2 feedstock producers have felt the impact also, as low utilization rates among chloride producers are filling inventories. Raw material inflation for TiO2 producers is not backing down. Where is the light at the end of the tunnel, and how long is the tunnel ?
  • How are demand drivers changing?
  • How is value in the chain shifting, and why?
  • What are the potential shifts in the position of key players within the value chain?
  • Which markets are having a great impact on the TiO2 value chain from outside of it? Why?
  • What may create a very different cycle mid to late decade?

Gerry Colamarino | Managing Director, TiPMC Solutions LLC
Networking Break
Ultrasonic High Transfer Efficiency Paint Applicators for the Automotive Industry
Automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are constantly seeking ways to improve the efficiency and sustainability of their manufacturing processes. One area of focus is the exterior paint application process.  In typical automotive paint application only ~60% of the atomized paint lands on the vehicle body.  The rest is captured by an overspray-capture system and disposed of via landfill or incineration.  New applicators that improve transfer efficiency are being developed, using ultrasonic technology to direct the paint droplets more precisely at the substrate. However, these applicators and their nozzle designs will likely limit the size and shape of pigments and flakes that can be used in the paints that can be applied with the technology.This presentation will review some of the new applicator technologies that are being developed for automotive OEM painting, as well as the potential applications of these technologies within the industry. The presentation will also discuss the challenges and limitations of these technologies, and the potential future of automotive OEM painting.
Dr. Christopher Seubert | Research Engineer, Ford Research and Innovation Center
Advancements in Color Digitalization to Address Technical Challenges and Meet the Growing Coatings Market Demand
In our increasingly digital world, the manner in which color stylings are developed is changing rapidly.  The need to accurately depict color through digital means is vital for global teams and the growing number of remote personnel in our organizations.  The demand for proper color communication extends beyond intra-company to supplier/customer interactions requiring specific tools or software systems to share seamlessly between companies.  Next generation systems can help foster greater interaction and include functional aspects of the coating in addition to the shade.  When done effectively, the benefits include quicker color development, reduced costs and lower environmental impact.  While significant progress has been achieved with digital color rendering tools, challenges remain to improve the sparkle appearance due to the high demand for metallic stylings in Automotive Coatings.  Through recent technical advancements in color measurement and the development of our Color Explorer software, we will explore solutions to the technical hurdles besetting the industry, highlight improved functionality and ease of use.  The new software tool offers broad utility to Coatings applications and can easily be extended to address demands from Cosmetics, Plastics and Inks.
Andre Bendo | Technical Industry Manager, Senior Expert for Automotive Coatings , Sun Chemical
Networking Lunch (Included with Ticket)
Session II: Adopting to Sustainability and Resilience
< Session Description >
This session will address how companies have reacted during the crisis in supply chain communication, including strategy, community action, and more.
Recyclability Without Compromise: CPG Leader & Industry Experts Collaborate to Redesign Packaging with High Performance Effect Pigments

Additional Presenters:

  • Nicolas Rivollet, VP Marketing, Penn Color, 
  • Dr. Frank J. Maile, Global Technical Director, Schlenk Metallic Pigments GmbH
Design for Recyclability is a priority for leading companies in Consumer-Packaged- Goods (CPG) market while maintaining and even elevating brand CMF (Color-Material- Finish). Success is a matter of enabling technologies and expertise, but also requires a creative design process.
  • Why are metallic effect colorants appealing to consumers?
  • What are the challenges presented by metallized parts for recyclability of consumer packaged goods?
  • How was a new material approach applied, to achieve better recyclability, without compromising shelf appeal?
  • How was success driven by developing a new design process, based on a three-party collaboration between a CPG leader (P&G), a masterbatch expert ( Penn Color) and a metallic pigments expert ( Schlenk Metallic Pigments)

Brad Neufarth | Group Scientist, Procter & Gamble
Innovations and Sustainability in Aluminum Pigments
The latest developments will be presented as well as the achievements in reducing the product carbon footprint of aluminum pigments general introduction of the production and applications of aluminum pigments
  • Basic information on the methodology to calculate the product carbon footprint according to scope 1-3
  • Eckart's strategy and measures to produce aluminum pigments with the lowest product carbon footprint
  • Eckart's entry into a secondary economy
  • Use of recycled materials
  • Presentation of the latest developments: pigments to enhance the accessible colour space: white-, grey- and ultra black-aluminum pigments the finest "silver dollar" pigment with high brilliance and smooth and structureless optic

Dr. Mark Stoll | Global Head of Marketing and Technical Service, Eckart GmbH Germany
Colorants and Sustainability from a Plastics Perspective
This presentation covers new and sustainable colorants for plastics along with new innovations and materials that are more circular than their predecessors.  There will also be a review of important colors and finishes projected for 2025 and important new and pending green legislation that will impact the plastics business.
Doreen Becker | Corporate Director of Sustainability, Ampacet
Networking Break
A regulatory perspective on the role of TiO2 as an ‘essential’ pigment in creating a safe and sustainable future economy
The European Union’s Green Deal has set out its zero pollution ambition to address climate change and environmental degradation that will transform the EU into a modern, resource efficient and competitive economy. The EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) is a flagship initiative under the EU Green Deal. It is a comprehensive plan to boost innovation in chemicals and the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry, while ensuring that chemicals are suitable for a circular economy. The Titanium Dioxide Manufacturers Association (TDMA) supports the European Green Deal and Europe’s ambition to become climate neutral by 2050. Under the CSS, the legislative framework of the REACH regulation is being revised and strengthened to include the concept of ‘Essential Uses’. Criteria established by the Montreal Protocol are being further defined to ensure the most harmful chemicals are only allowed if their use is necessary for health, safety or is critical for the functioning of society and if there are no alternatives that are acceptable from a human health and environmental perspective.  Titanium dioxide (TiO2) plays an important role as an essential chemical and is a key ingredient in thousands of everyday products across a range of applications e.g. paints, coatings, food contact materials, cosmetics and medicines. For example, by using TiO2, high standards of brilliance, colour strength and opacity can be achieved with fewer resources. Without TiO2 in a paint formulation, higher quantities of paint would be required to achieve the same level of coverage. TiO2 also brings wide-reaching environmental benefits, for example, energy efficiency in reflective coatings and ‘cool roofs’, and in cleaning air with the use of TiO2 in its ultrafine form to allow the conversion of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from industrial plants and vehicles to nitrogen gas and water. In building and construction products, TiO2 pigments help to maintain the quality of products for longer and support durability through a resistance to heat, light and weathering. TiO2 pigment in plastics helps to protect and extend plastic product lifetime, contributing to the reduction of plastic waste. The protective properties of TiO2 in plastic pipes also helps to keep drinking water safe. Many car manufacturers praise the protective qualities of TiO2, which combats paint degradation by reflecting and dissipating UV rays to help protect the paint finish. This keeps vehicles brighter for longer, meaning owners commit less time and resources to maintaining the gloss of their cars.
As a safe and essential chemical, the benefits of TiO2 will be discussed to illustrate how titanium dioxide is a key contributor to the success of the EU’s circular economy plan.
 
Naheed Rehman | Director of Global Product Stewardship, Tronox, Chair TDMA
A circular economy for enhanced sustainability of TiO2
Improvements in the sustainability of the coatings industry has been on the agenda for a number of years, particularly in the reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Environmental and Health legislation regulating the levels of VOCs in coatings and longer-term emissions of other volatiles has driven a major shift in the coatings industry so that more than 80% of architectural paints now sold in the UK and Europe are water-based. We have shown that TiO2 can be isolated from mixed waste paint, providing a product with properties comparable to virgin product. We are currently engaged on a project, working with TiO2 and paint manufacturers, to prove the scalability of this technology from lab-scale to pilot-scale processing. This has the potential to address the substantial environmental burden of waste paint and presents an opportunity to recover valuable materials from manufacturing waste streams. A circular economy approach to TiO2 manufacture will provide significant benefits for sustainability and cost reduction.
Dr. Benjamin Naden | Senior Scientist, PRA World
Orion's Sustainable Vision
We recognize the opportunities that investments in innovative and sustainable products and technologies have to offer. They contribute to our goal of launching a broad range of products using recycled materials. To reach our goal and reduce our dependency on fossil feedstocks significantly, we are focusing on three aspects:
• DECARBONIZATION of our production process to be able to provide renewable carbon black
• RECYCLING – e.g., through manufacturing carbon black from oil made from end-of-life tires
• INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS for a low-carbon economy – e.g., with the help of conductive additives
Environmentally friendly and sustainable coating systems have become major innovation drivers in the global coatings industry. Consequently, powder coatings, ultra-high solid and water-borne coating systems have exhibited lower environmental impact with healthy growth potentials. In this contribution, we will introduce you to these trends, innovations and opportunities.
Markus Mahn | Director Global Marketing Coatings, Specialty Carbon Black , Orion Engineered Carbons GmbH
Panel: Concerns on Sustainability and Sourcing
Moderator: Lisa Clapp, Sun Chemical

Panelists:
  • Bob O’Boyle, Senior Key Account Manager - Sustainable Products, Sun Chemical
  • Michael Stucky, Senior Sustainability Business Manager, PPG
  • Doreen Becker, Corporate Director of Sustainability, Ampacet
  • Naheed Rehman, Director of Global Product Stewardship, Tronox, Chair TDMA
  • Dave Wawer, Executive Director, Color Pigments Manufactures Association
Networking Reception (Included with Ticket)
Registration Opens & Continental Breakfast
Registration Opens & Continental Breakfast
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Session III: A Closer Look
< Session Description >
This session will address current activity in the Pigments and TiO2 Markets.
TiO2 from the Financial Markets Perspective
  • From the perspective of the equity market, will provide an overview of our industry detailing some of the macro factors that impact our coverage.
  • We'll dive into the TiO2 landscape discussion to explain the financials and characteristics of the key players.
  • We'll close with our expectations of market dynamics factoring feedstock and TiO2 supply/demand. 

Aziza Gazieva | Vice President, Fermium Research
The shifting sands at Iluka Resources
Mineral Sands economics are shifting due to higher development and mining costs and the addition of Rare Earths as a key component of future mineral sands deposits.  Adding to this complex mix, Iluka is now in full development of the Balranald mine, a first of its kind technology utilizing a unique underground mining method that will unlock deep deposits of mineral sands and other minerals, previously uneconomic due to the depth of the ore bodies.  How will these changes impact the future of titanium feedstocks?
Aaron Bertram | Project Manager Product Development TiO2, Iluka
Networking Break
Digital Color Rendering for Styling and Quality
As our society becomes more dependent upon electronic communication to increase global connectivity, digital communication of color has been identified as a crucial aspect of modern design, marketing, and education.  Effective digital color communication hinges on various factors, including monitor attributes, effective color data capture, and appropriate color management software.  At PPG, a global paint and coatings company, we have defined a strategy to communicate our paint colors digitally by creating a pipeline of digital capture and rendering technology for best-in-class digital color delivery.
Eldon Decker | Sr. Research Associate, PPG Industries, Inc.
Angle-Dependent Optical Effects: Nature Meets Technology
One of the most captivating aspects of materials found in nature is the metallic and color-changing appearance often linked to specific surface structures. Angle-dependent colour and structural effects can be observed in various industrial products, leading to diverse end-use applications. These effects, often inspired by the wonders of the natural world, are harnessed for both functional and decorative purposes. This presentation aims to compare angle-dependent optical effects originating from both natural and industrial sources. We will gain valuable insights by characterizing these effects using high-resolution goniometric imaging devices.
Dr. Jiri Filip | Cofounder & CEO, SightTex, s.r.o.
"The Hardest Working TiO2” – The Potential Rewards in Higher Opacity when Improving TiO2Efficiency in Coatings
Titanium dioxide is by far the most important white pigment available to the coatings and plastics industries when whiteness and/or opacity are needed. With over 100 years of development and production, the physical and chemical properties of TiO2 have been honed to produce a range of grades providing the “optimum” performance in the required application. However, while in some solvent systems the maximum optical attributes can sometimes be achieved, in water-based coatings, the effects of pigment dispersion, pigment flocculation (particularly on drying) and pigment crowding can significantly reduce the efficiency of the TiO2. Maintaining the optimum spacing of TiO2 pigment particles in water-based coatings is difficult, but the prize for those who can achieve it, even partially, is potentially huge. This paper compares the performance of “random” TiO2 in matt paint with that of “spaced” TiO2 (provided through FP-Opacity Pigments™) when introduced either as a complete replacement or as a partial exchange. Unlocking the potential that already exists within TiO2 can lead to significant improvements in opacity (up to 4 units of contrast ratio), while maintaining wet hide and other film properties. Accessing these improvements can open new doors for the formulation chemist,
producing higher quality paints, true one coat paints and more sustainable paints, with significantly higher spreading rates, making raw materials go further.  
 
Paul Dietz | Group Technical Director, FP-Pigments Oy
Understanding jetness and the importance of measurement in production
Matching and maintaining consistency of blacks across a manufacturing process is of upmost importance to producing quality products. Data must be analyzed, process variations identified, and adjustments made during manufacturing to consistently produce a black and be able to match it. Properly measuring color and gloss as well as predicting the long-term color stability of a sample is imperative for standardization in the manufacturing process, it’s cost effectiveness, and it’s ROI. Because black can be lighter or darker, have a blueish or brownish undertone or be more or less “deep” or ”jet”, using a test instrument such as a spectrophotometer is imperative for quality control. By learning about how to analyze andcontrol jetness you can improve the consistency of color, standardization of process, and quality of the manufactured end product resulting in improved return of investment.
Greg Shrider | BYK-Gardner USA, Vice President, Head of Key Accounts
Networking Lunch
KEYNOTE: The Criticality of Rutile and Leucoxene to Building a Better Modern-Day World – A Welding Sourcing Manager (and Geologist)’s Perspective
Rutile and leucoxene are critical raw materials for welding consumables that are a necessity to help build a better modern-day world.  Stringent chemical and particle size specifications dictate limited sourcing options for the welding sector, globally.  This combined with supply/demand imbalance, insufficient projects in the pipeline and somewhat limited industry knowledge of welding requirements, resulted in an extremely stressed supply chain for the welding industry over the past few years.  Lincoln Electric will provide a holistic view of these crucial industrial minerals, how they apply to welding, and the importance of the industry to consider and ensure supply for the welding sector.
Amanda Rowe, PhD. | Sourcing Manager Geologist/Mining Specialist, The Lincoln Electric Company
Sierra Rutile: to 2040 and beyond
Rutile is the highest grade naturally occurring titanium bearing ore consumed in the manufacture TiO2 pigment. The rutile from Sierra Rutile, in particular, is renowned for its quality, which explains why its highly valued in the most demanding end-use applications and by pigment plants operating in jurisdictions with strict environmental regulations. Mining started at Sierra Rutile 56-years ago, in 1967, and there are plans in place to extend the mine life to beyond 2040.  In this presentation Sierra Rutile will explain the challenges facing the operation today, as well as the efforts required to extend and the expand the mine for at least another 17-years. Attendees can expect to gain a broader understanding of the Australian listed company as well as its unique position as the only company solely focused on filling the world’s premium rutile requirements, both today and for years to come
Derek Folmer | General Manager Marketing, Sierra Rutile Ltd.
RheoLight by Ink Invent: Unlocking a new dimension in the color landscape - enabling increased Safety and LiDAR Visibility design options for the mobility industry
Up to now, increasing (LiDAR) visibility of traffic participants and their traffic environment, over and beyond lights and reflectors, could not be achieved in industrial form-free application as a truly tunable design parameter. Enter RheoLight ‘Crystal Glass Pigments’, the first in class of a new and innovative type of effect pigments. In a perfect symbiosis with existing metallics and pearlescents, RheoLight opens up a new color landscape and play with light, enabling stylists with a new design freedom to incorporate increased visibility for both humans and machines (e.g. LiDAR) in any desig
Paul Mijnen MBA MSc. | CEO, Ink Invent BV
Closing Remarks, Advisory Board