EC Academy I Your E-learning Platform in Coatings

Managers, R&D managers and employees, laboratory managers and employees, production managers, managing directors, purchasers in the industry of organic coating materials and related products (printing inks, adhesives and sealants, construction chemicals)

Elementary Classes, the first of many courses to follow, provides an introduction to coatings technology. As a non-technician, this online course will give you the opportunity to learn the most important technical basics of the paint and coatings industry. You will have learned the key vocabulary of the paint language and will be able to present yourself confidently in the future.

There are a total of 16 modules covering all aspects of coatings technology:

• Raw materials used in paints and coatings
• Their function and role within a coating
• Learning how paints are formulated and manufactured together with an understanding of their properties and suitability of for use in different applications

Speakers

Prof. Thomas Brock

Prof. Thomas Brock holds a doctorate in chemistry and was appointed Professor of Coating Technology at Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences in 1995. Prior to this, he worked in the printing ink industry and for ten years at Herberts GmbH (now Axalta). From 2006 to 2011 he was chairman and from 2012 to 2014 vice-chairman of the GDCh division “Coating Chemistry”. Since 2010 he has been a member of the FATIPEC Board and Chairman of the European Scientific Committee, co-organiser of the biennial ETCC congresses. Prof Brock has also held teaching posts at the Duale Hochschule in Mosbach/BW and the Cracow University of Technology. Even after his time at university, he continued to be involved in professional development. For many years, he was one of the speakers at the “Coatings for Business Professionals” seminar of Vincentz Network.

On 21 October 2021, Prof. Thomas Brock died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 71.

Prof. Thomas Brock

Prof. Thomas Brock holds a doctorate in chemistry and was appointed Professor of Coating Technology at Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences in 1995. Prior to this, he worked in the printing ink industry and for ten years at Herberts GmbH (now Axalta). From 2006 to 2011 he was chairman and from 2012 to 2014 vice-chairman of the GDCh division “Coating Chemistry”. Since 2010 he has been a member of the FATIPEC Board and Chairman of the European Scientific Committee, co-organiser of the biennial ETCC congresses. Prof Brock has also held teaching posts at the Duale Hochschule in Mosbach/BW and the Cracow University of Technology. Even after his time at university, he continued to be involved in professional development. For many years, he was one of the speakers at the “Coatings for Business Professionals” seminar of Vincentz Network.

On 21 October 2021, Prof. Thomas Brock died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 71.

Peter Collins

Peter Collins’ career in the paint industry has spanned over 45 years. He now operates independently as Peter Collins Coatings Consultancy Ltd. Previously he was the Technical Director at the Paint Research Association (PRA) in the UK, with responsibility for coatings research, technical consultancy, business consultancy and laboratory services. He joined PRA from Sonneborn & Rieck Ltd (now Fujichem Sonneborn) where he was the Technical Manager, with responsibility for a wide range of industrial coatings technologies and markets. Prior to this he was at ICI Paints (now AkzoNobel) for over 25 years, working mostly in R&D on architectural paints. His final appointment at ICI was as UK Manufacturing Excellence Manager with responsibility for product quality and process improvement across two sites. He has a BSc in Chemistry from Loughborough University, and he is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) and a Fellow of the Technology of Surface Coatings (FTSC) at the Oil and Colour Chemists’ Association (OCCA).

Peter Collins

Peter Collins’ career in the paint industry has spanned over 45 years. He now operates independently as Peter Collins Coatings Consultancy Ltd. Previously he was the Technical Director at the Paint Research Association (PRA) in the UK, with responsibility for coatings research, technical consultancy, business consultancy and laboratory services. He joined PRA from Sonneborn & Rieck Ltd (now Fujichem Sonneborn) where he was the Technical Manager, with responsibility for a wide range of industrial coatings technologies and markets. Prior to this he was at ICI Paints (now AkzoNobel) for over 25 years, working mostly in R&D on architectural paints. His final appointment at ICI was as UK Manufacturing Excellence Manager with responsibility for product quality and process improvement across two sites. He has a BSc in Chemistry from Loughborough University, and he is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) and a Fellow of the Technology of Surface Coatings (FTSC) at the Oil and Colour Chemists’ Association (OCCA).

Gesa Patzelt-Thiel

Surface and coating specialist at Schmitz Cargobull AG

Gesa Patzelt-Thiel studied chemistry in Bremen and completed her doctorate at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM) on the topic of “Investigations into the curing and ageing behaviour of adhesives using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy”. From 2011 to the end of 2022, she worked as a project manager in the Coating Technology department at IFAM and managed industrial projects and European and nationally funded projects for the development of functional coatings. These developments included anti-ice, anti-contamination, drag reduction, erosion protection and improved barrier properties of coatings for aerospace, automotive and electronics applications. In addition, she also gained experience in the field of corrosion protection and damage assessment. Gesa Patzelt-Thiel has been working as a surface and coating specialist at Schmitz Cargobull AG since 2023.

Gesa Patzelt-Thiel

Surface and coating specialist at Schmitz Cargobull AG

Gesa Patzelt-Thiel studied chemistry in Bremen and completed her doctorate at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM) on the topic of “Investigations into the curing and ageing behaviour of adhesives using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy”. From 2011 to the end of 2022, she worked as a project manager in the Coating Technology department at IFAM and managed industrial projects and European and nationally funded projects for the development of functional coatings. These developments included anti-ice, anti-contamination, drag reduction, erosion protection and improved barrier properties of coatings for aerospace, automotive and electronics applications. In addition, she also gained experience in the field of corrosion protection and damage assessment. Gesa Patzelt-Thiel has been working as a surface and coating specialist at Schmitz Cargobull AG since 2023.

Detlev Sassenberg

Detlev Sassenberg is an experienced manager with a diverse background in the paint and coatings industry. His professional career spans several decades.

From 2009 to 2011, Sassenberg served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 3 H Lacke, where he demonstrated his skills in managing medium-sized companies. Building on this experience, he took on the role of CEO at Sherwin Williams from 2012 to 2014. Detlev Sassenberg has been the owner of DS Chem e.K. since 2015.

With his extensive background in the paint and coatings industry, Detlev Sassenberg brings extensive industry knowledge to his role as a speaker for European Coatings.

Detlev Sassenberg

Detlev Sassenberg is an experienced manager with a diverse background in the paint and coatings industry. His professional career spans several decades.

From 2009 to 2011, Sassenberg served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 3 H Lacke, where he demonstrated his skills in managing medium-sized companies. Building on this experience, he took on the role of CEO at Sherwin Williams from 2012 to 2014. Detlev Sassenberg has been the owner of DS Chem e.K. since 2015.

With his extensive background in the paint and coatings industry, Detlev Sassenberg brings extensive industry knowledge to his role as a speaker for European Coatings.

The Short Courses are a series of digital lectures that provide basic knowledge on the important coatings related topics. Experienced experts teach the important basics and explain how they relate to current applications. Perfect for professionals who value efficiency, these digital courses will sharpen your expertise and ensure you are ready to excel in your day-to-day work and at upcoming industry events.

The constantly changing courses cover all important coatings-related topics presented in 90 minutes:

• Coating for different applications and their chemistry
• Formulation and optimization of coatings
• Coatings productions and testing

Speakers

Dr. Stefan Friebel

Stefan Friebel completed his doctorate in 1995 at the University of Durham (UK) on the subject of solid-state NMR investigations of block copolymers. He joined the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in 1996 and is currently a Senior Project Manager in the Surface Technology department at the Fraunhofer WKI. The main applications are exterior wood coatings, furniture coatings and plastic coatings.

Dr. Stefan Friebel

Stefan Friebel completed his doctorate in 1995 at the University of Durham (UK) on the subject of solid-state NMR investigations of block copolymers. He joined the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in 1996 and is currently a Senior Project Manager in the Surface Technology department at the Fraunhofer WKI. The main applications are exterior wood coatings, furniture coatings and plastic coatings.

Ph.D. Qingling Zhang

Qingling Zhang obtained his Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering from University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2007 and an Executive MBA from Michigan State University in 2021. He worked on surface modification of carbon blacks, color pigments and fumed silicas for coatings, inks and displays at Cabot Corporation. Qingling joined BASF in 2015 and has been leading North America OEM coatings R&D team as a technical manager. He is very passionate about growing company top line and bottom line business results through innovation. Qingling has been involved in primer, basecoat, pigment dispersion and clearcoat development to meet and exceed OEM’s needs in North America. The most recent development focus has been on technologies such as low bake and UV curable technologies to enable low carbon emission and sustainability in automotive OEM paint shops.

Ph.D. Qingling Zhang

Qingling Zhang obtained his Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering from University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2007 and an Executive MBA from Michigan State University in 2021. He worked on surface modification of carbon blacks, color pigments and fumed silicas for coatings, inks and displays at Cabot Corporation. Qingling joined BASF in 2015 and has been leading North America OEM coatings R&D team as a technical manager. He is very passionate about growing company top line and bottom line business results through innovation. Qingling has been involved in primer, basecoat, pigment dispersion and clearcoat development to meet and exceed OEM’s needs in North America. The most recent development focus has been on technologies such as low bake and UV curable technologies to enable low carbon emission and sustainability in automotive OEM paint shops.

Mike Jeffries

Mike began his career at Covestro (Mobay at the time) in 1989 working in the Quality Assurance Laboratory. In 1992 he moved into Research. There he worked on the scale up of the various polyisocyanates, polyisocyanate prepolymers, polyaspartics and polyurethane dispersions into production. In 1998 he specifically began working on the development on new isocyanate resins for use in the coatings industry. In 2007 Mike began a customer facing roll as a Field Technical Service Manager and became a technical resource for Covestro customers and the coatings industry. In 2022 Mike became a Business Development Manager in Covestro’s Coatings and Adhesives division. Mike has been awarded sixteen patents and holds a BS Degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Mike Jeffries

Mike began his career at Covestro (Mobay at the time) in 1989 working in the Quality Assurance Laboratory. In 1992 he moved into Research. There he worked on the scale up of the various polyisocyanates, polyisocyanate prepolymers, polyaspartics and polyurethane dispersions into production. In 1998 he specifically began working on the development on new isocyanate resins for use in the coatings industry. In 2007 Mike began a customer facing roll as a Field Technical Service Manager and became a technical resource for Covestro customers and the coatings industry. In 2022 Mike became a Business Development Manager in Covestro’s Coatings and Adhesives division. Mike has been awarded sixteen patents and holds a BS Degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Brian Skerry

Retired 2021 – Formerly The Sherwin-Williams Company, USA
Dr. Brian Skerry retired in 2021 after a career spanning 36 years with The Sherwin-Williams Company, during which time he worked in R&D, and held a variety of technical management roles. From 2009 – 2012, he served as Global Technical Director for the company’s Protective & Marine Division. He subsequently had responsibility for innovation technology across the company’s Performance Coatings Group, covering the Protective and Marine, Industrial Coatings, and Automotive Coatings Divisions. He holds a BSc in Chemistry and PhD in Corrosion Engineering from the University of Manchester, UK. He has authored approximately 50 technical papers on corrosion and coatings and has given multiple presentations on these topics in the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Australia. Dr. Skerry provided an invited plenary lecture to the Australasian Corrosion Association Annual Corrosion Conference in 2018. He also served for 8-years on the Board of Governors for the Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC), including as SSPC Board President in 2018.

Brian Skerry

Retired 2021 – Formerly The Sherwin-Williams Company, USA
Dr. Brian Skerry retired in 2021 after a career spanning 36 years with The Sherwin-Williams Company, during which time he worked in R&D, and held a variety of technical management roles. From 2009 – 2012, he served as Global Technical Director for the company’s Protective & Marine Division. He subsequently had responsibility for innovation technology across the company’s Performance Coatings Group, covering the Protective and Marine, Industrial Coatings, and Automotive Coatings Divisions. He holds a BSc in Chemistry and PhD in Corrosion Engineering from the University of Manchester, UK. He has authored approximately 50 technical papers on corrosion and coatings and has given multiple presentations on these topics in the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Australia. Dr. Skerry provided an invited plenary lecture to the Australasian Corrosion Association Annual Corrosion Conference in 2018. He also served for 8-years on the Board of Governors for the Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC), including as SSPC Board President in 2018.

Kerstin Breckner

Kerstin Breckner (M.Sc.) has been working at Fraunhofer IFAM as a project manager in the Paint Technology department since 2017. She has completed an apprenticeship as paint laboratory assistant at Fraunhofer IFAM and studied biotechnology with a focus on industrial biology. In her master’s thesis, she dealt with the design of new rheological properties using hydrocolloids. After working in the biotechnology industry for several years, she returned to the Fraunhofer IFAM in Bremen. In her position as scientific project manager, she deals with various coating technology issues, especially in the field of functional coatings and anti-contamination topics. She was head of public funded projects for the development of barrier coatings in the aerospace sector. Her current area of work are the development and investigation of LOX-compatible coatings and anti-contamination issues in the automotive sector.

Kerstin Breckner

Kerstin Breckner (M.Sc.) has been working at Fraunhofer IFAM as a project manager in the Paint Technology department since 2017. She has completed an apprenticeship as paint laboratory assistant at Fraunhofer IFAM and studied biotechnology with a focus on industrial biology. In her master’s thesis, she dealt with the design of new rheological properties using hydrocolloids. After working in the biotechnology industry for several years, she returned to the Fraunhofer IFAM in Bremen. In her position as scientific project manager, she deals with various coating technology issues, especially in the field of functional coatings and anti-contamination topics. She was head of public funded projects for the development of barrier coatings in the aerospace sector. Her current area of work are the development and investigation of LOX-compatible coatings and anti-contamination issues in the automotive sector.

Dr. Artur Palasz

Dr. Artur Palasz is a chemist specializing in the synthesis of polymer dispersions as binders for latex paints and other raw materials for waterborne paints from the point of view of their application to obtain maximum performance in formulations. For almost 20 years, he has been managing the independent development laboratory, supporting external projects for leading raw material producers related to formulation development. He is a globally known expert in raw materials and formulations, author of numerous technical publications and research on raw materials, and a speaker at the most important global coatings conferences. In his free time, he is a creator of electronic music, a lover of bourbon and American motoring.

Dr. Artur Palasz

Dr. Artur Palasz is a chemist specializing in the synthesis of polymer dispersions as binders for latex paints and other raw materials for waterborne paints from the point of view of their application to obtain maximum performance in formulations. For almost 20 years, he has been managing the independent development laboratory, supporting external projects for leading raw material producers related to formulation development. He is a globally known expert in raw materials and formulations, author of numerous technical publications and research on raw materials, and a speaker at the most important global coatings conferences. In his free time, he is a creator of electronic music, a lover of bourbon and American motoring.

The course selection at the EC Academy is growing constantly. You can already look forward to the following courses:

• Further Short Courses