Surcon 2025 "Inspiring Colourful Futures"

Join the Forefront of Coating Innovation

SURCON 2025 is the premier event for the surface coatings industry, bringing together the brightest minds from academia, research, and commercial sectors. Organised by The Oil & Colour Chemists' Association (OCCA), this two-day conference is your opportunity to connect with peers, discover groundbreaking technologies, and shape the future of paints, inks, adhesives, and sealants.

Why You Should Attend SURCON 2025

Unrivalled Networking: Connect with over 100 researchers, engineers, technologists, and industry leaders. Forge new partnerships, exchange ideas, and renew old acquaintances in a collaborative environment.
Cutting-Edge Content: Immerse yourself in a dynamic programme of 10 top-tier technical papers and 2 engaging panel sessions, showcasing the very latest in surface science and coating technologies.
Discover New Solutions: Learn about innovative products and scientific discoveries that are solving today's challenges and paving the way for a more colourful, sustainable future.
The Conference Dinner: Extend your networking in a relaxed and social atmosphere at our exclusive Conference Dinner.

SURCON 2025 Full Programme

Day 1

Optimising Coatings Appearance through Advanced Imaging-Based Measurement Systems

Tony Burrows · Rhopoint

New water-based binders to solve well-known problems in architectural coatings

Markus Dimmers · Alberdingk-Boley

CFRP Dispersants: Precision Polymerisation for High-Performance Coatings

Maurice Epple · BASF

Exporting Excellence: Confronting the Complexities of International Trade

Alastair Gardner · Department for Business & Trade

TEGO® Res 1100 – enabling true circularity of flexible packaging

Christian Schirrmacher · Evonik

Graphene as an Additive for Advanced Coating Systems

Dr Lisa Scullion · Graphene Institute / University of Manchester

Creative Formulation in an Age of Complex Regulation

Isla Taylor · Lorama UK Ltd

Panel Session 1: Sustaining Sustainability

Host: Chemical Business Association · Chair: Tim Doggett

Day 2

Generation Steam

Tim Doggett · Chemical Business Association (CBA)

Sustainable by Design: Low Carbon Footprint Acrylic Binders with Recycled Content

Ilka Kocabiyik · Organik Kimya

A Systematic Study of the Copolymerisation of MDO in Aqueous Systems

Mars Poxon · University of Warwick

Panel Session 2: UK Regulatory landscape: where are we now and where are we going?

Host: HMG Paints · Chair: Paul Sheppard

Polymer Club at SURCON 2025

Running alongside SURCON 2025, the Polymer Club brings together external partners — including industry, local and UK government, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Launched in 2013 at the University of Warwick, the Club serves as an incubator platform to exchange ideas, collaborate, and discuss future research in polymer science and engineering within wider societal, political, and cultural contexts.

The broad range of talks from across stakeholders not only highlight challenges but also explore practical solutions — sparking valuable discussions throughout the networking sessions. In recent years, themes have centred on sustainability and green science, reflecting one of the most pressing global challenges we face today.

Please note that registration for the Polymer Club is separate from SURCON 2025. Find out more and register here: Polymer Club at Warwick.