CoatingsTech Conference 2025 /// April 28 – 30, 2025
Omni William Penn /// Pittsburgh, PA

Call for Papers + Abstract Submissions

Abstract Submissions Due October 23, 2024

ACA seeks technical papers and posters for its 2025 CoatingsTech Conference. This biennial conference features a multi-track forum, industry awards, and presentation opportunities for both industry professionals and students, and will follow the theme, “Coatings and Technologies for a Resilient Future.” This theme underscores the industry’s challenges in addressing the impacts of climate change and other environmental trends. Changing weather patterns have placed a greater emphasis on coatings performance to withstand more extreme conditions; demand for higher energy efficiency has also generated innovative ways to rely on coatings to reduce energy consumption; and increasing awareness on resource conservation and circular economies also requires innovations for formulators.

Key Deadlines

October 23, 2024
ALL Abstract Submissions Due

November 12, 2024
Speaker Notification of Acceptance:

February 6, 2025
Student Poster Notification of Acceptance

February 12, 2025
Submission of Completed Paper for Best Paper Consideration

February 24, 2025
Submission of All Other Completed Papers

Paper Poster Topics

Papers and posters on the following topics are being sought and will be considered:

  • Advances in Analytical Methods &Technology
  • Application/Manufacturing/Processing Equipment
  • Architectural Coatings
  • Biocidal Control (e.g., preservation, surface protection, antifouling)
  • Corrosion and Adhesion
  • Functional Coatings
  • High-throughput Testing
  • Infrastructure Coatings
  • Nanotechnology
  • Pigments & Other Additives
  • Powder Coatings
  • Protective Coatings
  • Radiation-cured Coatings
  • Renewable/Bio-based Coatings
  • Transportation Coatings
  • Waterborne Coatings
  • Weathering & Durability
  • Wood Coatings
  • Health, Safety and Environmental Regulations
    • Hazard Communication & Labeling
    • Hazardous Air Pollutants & Indoor Air Quality
    • Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) substitutions
    • Life Safety Engineering
    • Volatile Organic Compounds
    • Waste Minimization

Guidelines & Important Information

To submit a paper or poster, please provide a maximum 1,500-character abstract by filling out the form that follows further down on this page. An asterisk (*) denotes a required field.

Also, please note the following vital details:

  • If your abstract is accepted, you will be expected to provide a full paper (or poster, if you were selected for a poster session), register for the conference, provide slides and a headshot, and make an in-person presentation/poster during the conference. Full papers and presentations must be submitted by the indicated deadline for publication in the CoatingsTech Program. NOTE: To be considered for the CoatingsTech Award, your paper must be submitted by February 12, 2025; otherwise, papers are due by February 25, 2025.
  • You must indicate whether you want to be considered for the CoatingsTech Best Paper Award (click the check box below).
  • To comply with the expectations of conference attendees, use of commercial trade names or product names is not permitted. All abstracts and subsequent paper submissions must be non-commercial in content.
  • All abstracts will be reviewed by the CoatingsTech Conference Program Committee, and acceptance decisions will be based on a variety of factors, including originality, quality, and relevance to the coatings industry.
  • Each speaker is required to register for the CoatingsTech Conference and will receive complementary registration for the day of the presentation. (Speakers may receive a discount for the full CoatingsTech Conference should they desire to attend sessions on other days.)
  • Speakers will not be compensated and must pay for their own travel, lodging, and per diem expenses.
  • Student registration fees are heavily discounted, and limited student travel stipends may be awarded. Further details will be provided to students whose submissions are accepted.

NOTE: ACA retains the right of first refusal on all papers accepted for the 2025 CoatingsTech Conference for possible publication in an ACA magazine or journal. As a condition to participating in the CoatingsTech Conference, authors of accepted submissions will be provided and must execute a publication and speaker agreement with respect to such accepted submission(s).

Information about the CoatingsTech Best Paper Award

The CoatingsTech Best Paper Award will be presented for the best overall paper contributed to the CoatingsTech Conference, and the award winner will earn a $2,500 cash prize. Final papers must be submitted by February 12, 2025, for consideration.

To submit a paper for the 2025 competition, the following rules must be observed:

  • Participants must complete an entry to the Call for Papers, and request to be considered for this award
  • All submissions must have high technical merit, including objectivity and sound experimental design
  • Papers must have strong relevance to coatings technology and its high potential impact on the industry

Information about the Student Poster Awards

Student Poster Awards will be given for the top three student posters presented at the CoatingsTech Conference. Student posters will be judged on site, and the award winners will be chosen based on experimental design and execution, originality, and relevance to the future of the coatings industry. Student Poster Awards are as follows: First Place – $500; Second Place – $300; Third Place – $200.

To submit a poster for the 2025 competition, the following rules must be observed:

  • Participants must complete an entry to the Call for Papers, designate student status and a preference for the poster session.
  • Posters must include original research on a subject related to coatings technology or present a significantly insightful comprehensive review of a field of coatings technology.
  • Posters may be related to a senior project, thesis, or dissertation and will be accepted from undergraduate, Master’s degree, and PhD students, respectively.

Abstract submissions are now closed.