The Manchester Spring Seminar will be the first big event during OCCA’s much publicised Centenary Year.

In a break with past tradition, the seminar will take place between 10.00am-2.00pm on Tuesday 6th March 2018, at The Old Fire House, Salford University. The session will commence at 9.30am with registration and Danish pastries/light refreshments, ready for a 10.00am start.  There will be a mid-session lunch break prior to the final 3 presentations.

Once the seminar session ends, all delegates will be given the option of visiting 4 of Salford University’s Depts:  Analytical labs, Acoustic Labs, Robotic Labs and the Energy House.

There is still an opportunity for participating companies to sponsor Table Top displays at a cost of £200 – which includes the fee for 1 delegate.

Bookings are open - Please click here for instant booking & payment:

Seminar Programme

The seminar proper will consist of an address by this year's Key Note Speaker, Prof. Long Lin, Dept of Colour Chemistry, Leeds University. This will be followed by a number of presentations concerning "A Century of Innovation: Past, Present & Future".

This year's programme includes the following presentations:

Elementis Specialities – Steve Birkett
“Modern Rheological additives for non-aqueous coatings”
Profile: Stephen left school & dived straight into the Coatings Industry in 1974. Working in the Laboratory in QC & Development whilst achieving ONC Chemistry followed by HNC Supplementary focussing on Coatings & Polymers via day release. First move into Sales was with UK Distributor, Whitchem, before working for Henkel, eChem & Cognis as UK Sales Manager. Stephen joined Elementis 11.5 years ago as Regional Sales Manager & currently covers UK, Ireland, Israel & South Africa as well as being EMEA Key Account responsible for 6 Global Customers.

Synopsis: In this lecture the application of rheology modifiers based on castor wax/ricinus oil derivatives and diamides, which are frequently used in non-aqueous coating applications requiring sag and slump resistance, is described. These systems can be solvent based as well as free of solvents. The benefits and limitations of the traditional castor waxes and diamides, as well as the complexity of activation process, are described and discussed. A new class of organic thixotropes under the brand names THIXATROL® PM - the novel easy-to-use organic thixotropes - will be introduced. THIXATROL® PM grades are easier to incorporate with respect to process temperature control, have a wider production operating window, and can even be activated at lower temperatures putting less demand on equipment and energy use. Throughput at the manufacturers’ site can be improved. These products provide robust rheology control even under accelerated aging tests, and can be used in a variety of industries such as high solids industrial coatings, sealants and adhesives.

FP PIGMENTS – Andy White
“Advanced Opacifying Solutions - Opacity Pigments - Cost Saving Opportunities in Coatings”
Profile: After a degree in Chemistry from Nottingham University, Andy started work making industrial coatings for ICI in Birmingham in 1984. In 1991 he stepped into raw materials when he moved to SCM Chemicals (laterly Millennium Chemicals and now Cristal) as a Technical Service Manager, having a 17 year career in TiO2, ending up in some of their highest sales positions (Global Account Manager – Akzo, BASF, Sigma Kalon). In 2007 Andy moved out of TiO2 into coloured pigments as European Sales Director for Rockwood Pigments (now Venator), moving on the Cathay Pigments as VP for Global Key accounts. In early 2017 Andy was recruited back into the TiO2 sphere by the lure of the next generation opacifying technology with FP Pigments and now heads up they Paints and Plastic Business Unit for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Synopsis: The reason we make paint is to cover the substrate with a protective and opaque coating. The concept of opacity has developed into a concise science over the last 100 years, the last 50 of them being dominated by Titanium Dioxide, without doubt the most efficient chemical which can be mass produced, which will facilitate opacity in a reasonably cost effective way. For 50 year the science of Titanium Dioxide has been relatively stable, with most developments being focussed on the cost effectiveness of production rather than the optical efficiency of the actual product. As we enter an era of greater environments focus, and greater cost of chemical production, Titanium Dioxide has become one of the most costly fundamental materials required by the paint maker. Our presentation will review the effectiveness and efficiency of Titanium Dioxide and some of the methods developed over the last 50 years to improve its use. It will conclude with a presentation and discussion of new 21st century proprietary technology developed by FP Pigments which optimises the optical performance of the Titanium Dioxide in a given film and hence allows for real potential cost savings whist maintaining optical performance. All with a product that itself has environmentally positive effect.

Table Top Displays

Labman Automation – Jo Batey/Simon Parker
TIDAS is the automated fineness of grind analyser perfected by Labman. The system works with grind gauges to objectively rate particle dispersion in materials such as paints, lacquers, pigments, resins, filler and even chocolate. All the results, data and images are saved in an electronic format. TIDAS supports QC and can save time in Production as optimum dispersion levels are often highlighted earlier reducing issues and costs. Ask about our free testing service or bring along samples to event.

Aspira Aerial Applications – Dave Jolley
“Spray technology – Drones and so much more”
Profile: Managing Director of Aspira Aerial Applications with a background of independent management consultancy experienced in the delivery of complex commercial and IT Transformation projects. Dave has worked for large blue chip organisations across the financial service sector, retail and wholesale and programme manager new business launch, business relocation and automation. He joined Aspira in November 2016.

Synopsis: The presentation will cover the background to Aspira Aerial Applications, Our drone development and technology, the journey so far, a brief video of the drone in operation, how it can be used for spray applications and potential future applications.

Indestructible Paint– Richard Banks
“Surface Engineering – Paint is not just a pretty colour ”
Profile: My background is as a Paint and Coating Formulator with extensive experience producing water and solvent based coatings for aerospace and general industrial applications. From stating in the coating Industry up until the present time I have produced formulations from first principles, run customer trials, run extensive specification and approval testing scenarios. 

Synopsis: Paint and Coatings have a role in everyday life without us taking too much notice of their presence. During OCCA's first 100 years many companies and technologies have come and gone. Or have they? This presentation is a journey through three decades of coating and paint development as seen through the eyes of a Coating Technologist. There are technologies used today that were presented as old 30 years ago. Environmental and Resource pressure is both driving and stifling innovation and progress. Looking at the technologies in use today and using examples of past and present company capabilities we will look at the diversity and opportunities presented by the Coating and Paint Industry. 

HMG Paints – Stephen (Paddy) Dyson
“Advances in Social Media and its importance in Modern Day business”
Synopsis: Learn how to brush up on your Twitter, Facebook and other social media skills. In our fast-moving world, where everyone seems attached to their phones, tablets and laptops, we are being swept along on the wave of Social Media. Come along and listen to the experiences of HMG's marketing team as they educate us all on the best use of Social Media, how best to manage it, the pitfalls and benefits that best use of these tools can bring.

Timings Guide (subject to change)

Time	Session Title
09.30	Registration Opens, Coffee & Pastries
10.00	Keynote - Prof. Long Lin
10.30	Modern Rheological additives for non-aqueous coatings
11.00	Advanced Opacifying Solutions - Opacity Pigments - Cost Saving Opportunities in Coatings
11.30	Table Top Displays - Elevator Pitch
11.35	Promotion of Funding - Salford University
11.45	Promotion of Salford University Services
12.00	Lunch Break (30mins)
12.30	Spray Technology – Drones and so much more
13.00	Surface Engineering – Paint is not just a pretty colour
13.30	Advances in Social Media and its importance in Modern Day business
14.00	Closing Remarks
14.20	Move to Adelphi Building
14.30	Optional tours - Labs, Energy House, Acoustic Labs, Robotics

Visitors travelling by train

Salford Crescent station is located on the campus between Peel Park and Allerton. Direct services run to and from Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria, as well as Blackpool, Bolton, Buxton, Blackburn, Southport, Preston, Lancaster and Barrow-in-Furness. Inter-city services normally use Manchester Piccadilly which is about ten minutes train journey from Salford Crescent.
Walking instructions from Salford Crescent Station to the Old Fire Station.

Visitors travelling by car

Parking is provided free of charge at the nearby Irwell Place Car Park, but we will require registration numbers in advance for all delegates needing a parking space. An opportunity to give your car registration details will be provided when we send out our badge details emails soon after booking.
Walking instructions from Irwell Place Car Park to the Old Fire Station.

Detailed travel instructions are also available here: Salford University - How To Find Us

We look forward to seeing you in March.

TECHNICAL LIAISON COMMITTEE
OCCA MANCHESTER SECTION

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