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AI and Digitalization: Strategic Differentiators in Specialty Chemicals and Formulated Products
by Daniel Murad, Chairman
As client meetings and speaking engagements keep me travelling all around the globe, I’m continually impressed by the pursuit of excellence I see in the people I meet. Yes, geopolitical tensions, energy costs, inflexible supply chains, and myriad other issues are causing much stress and uncertainty. But the desire to improve and grow in pursuit of long-term success is prevalent everywhere I go.
One pervasive point of discussion (and concern) is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalization throughout specialty chemicals and formulated products. Many wonder if AI is a “flash-in-the-pan” fad, or perhaps too complicated or outright inaccurate to make a positive impact in our complex industries.
In truth, AI and digitalization are beginning to reshape the basis of competition. Across coatings, adhesives and sealants, HI&I, consumer care, construction chemicals, and adjacent markets, digital capability is moving from pilot projects and innovation showcases into core business strategy.
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Built to Sell: Why the Best Exits Start with Better Business Operations
by Prem Patel, Vice President
After a sluggish 2025 — one in which nearly 60% of announced adhesives and coatings deals were withdrawn over valuation gaps between buyers and sellers — some signs for 2026 are pointing the other way. Private equity is still sitting on record dry powder from 2021-2022 vintages, and family offices are competing directly for lower-middle-market deals.
The sellers who capture the best multiples in 2026 won’t be the ones who time the market. They’ll be those who have spent the last 12 to 18 months doing the unglamorous work of making their business easier to buy. Capital markets won’t rescue an unprepared seller; lack of preparation means more competition for buyer attention and more scrutiny and fallout once you have it.
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Optimizing Your Innovation Process
While new product development is essential for raw material suppliers looking to grow or remain relevant in competitive formulated products sectors such as coatings and adhesives, it is an inherently risky process. In this series, Eric Casebolt details best practices for developing and conducting an optimized innovation process that aligns technical development with commercial objectives and improves your chances of delivering market-ready solutions.
| | | | Many of our team members contribute insightful articles to various industry publications. We invite you to peruse the selection below and explore our full library. | | | |
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by Victoria Scarborough, Ph.D.
Technology development increasingly occurs at the intersection of materials science, biotechnology, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, electronics, and advanced manufacturing. As a result, breakthrough technologies often emerge in one industry before migrating into others.
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Hybrid Coating Systems
by Nathan Biller
Powder coatings and liquid paints are often perceived as competing finishing solutions in a zero-sum game wherein one technology is the victor and the other is being displaced. Although there are numerous examples of one or the other approach being declared the winner in a particular market segment, plenty of applications involve both types of coating systems complementing each other and bringing their unique advantages for the most effective solution.
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The State of the U.S. Paint and Coatings Industry
by George R. Pilcher
The U.S. paint and coatings industry is doing acceptably well, all things considered. The year 2025 ended with an increase of 0.6% in value but a 1.1% decline in volume, compared to 2024. Our assessment is that the U.S. paint and coatings industry remains large and relatively healthy—and the forecasted outlook for 2027 suggests that growth will continue at a slightly faster pace than estimates for 2026 performance.
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Adhesives' Expanding Role in Data Centers
by James Swope
While much of the more noticeable data center-related volume will be in construction and infrastructure adhesives, sealants, and related chemistries, stealthier growth may be noticed by specialty adhesive suppliers. Functional adhesive applications range from potting to ferrule bonding to light path connections. Reactive adhesives dominate the use landscape, with epoxy-based materials enjoying the biggest share.
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| | How can you prove your value proposition and compete effectively in today's market? With our technology exploration resources, ChemQuest is uniquely positioned to support you through integrated R&D collaboration, advanced testing, and comprehensive performance evaluation to reduce risk, generate credible data, and advance technologies from concept to commercialization. | | This fall will be packed with insightful presentations by the ChemQuest team! We look forward to seeing you at these events and discussing a wide range of issues and technologies influencing the specialty chemicals and formulated products industries. | |
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Guild CPO Annual Meeting
September 21-23 | Cleveland, Ohio
Meghan Patel will explore "Making Operational Excellence Approachable" on September 23.
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Wood Coatings & Substrates Conference
September 24-25 | Greensboro, N.C.
On September 24, Victoria Scarborough, Ph.D., will discuss "It's a Wrap! Performance Films and the Reinvention of Wood Finishing."
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The Chemical Summit
September 29-30 | Houston, Texas
Crystal Morrison, Ph.D., will moderate a panel discussion focusing on "Creating Advantage Across the Value Chain" on September 29.
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TRFA Annual Meeting
October 26-28 | Cleveland, Ohio
Eric Casebolt will discuss "Dielectric Powder Coatings: Meeting the Demands of Electrification."
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We also hope to see you at these upcoming events:
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CAMX – Atlanta, Ga., September 21-24
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Powder Coating Institute Business Growth Summit – New Orleans, La., October 4-6
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MS&T – Pittsburgh, Pa., October 4-7
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The Battery Show – Detroit, Mich., October 12-15
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FABTECH – Las Vegas, Nev., October 21-23
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Alliance for Chemical Distribution Annual Meeting – Arizona, November 10-12
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Compounding World Expo North America – Cleveland, Ohio, November 11-12
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Sabina Chatterjee Joins ChemQuest Leadership Team
Sabina Chatterjee has joined ChemQuest as executive vice president. Based in New York City, she will be responsible for driving growth in our Business Strategy & Transformation and M&A Advisory pillars. A seasoned finance executive who has followed the chemicals industry for 20 years, Sabina brings strong expertise in capital markets, transactional advisory, and strategic positioning, along with a deep appreciation for the industry’s sub-sectors. In this leadership role, she will work closely with Chairman Daniel Murad and CEO Robert Lovegrove to fuel expansion in advisory services, bridging financial acumen with operational expertise to deliver integrated value to private equity firms, strategics, and founder-owned businesses alike.
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Ross Widenor is a cross-sector value delivery leader with a track record of translating complex technical and organizational challenges into deployable solutions. Over the course of his career, Ross has led strategic R&D, innovation, and sustainability business initiatives, aligning priorities among senior leaders in four global geographic regions. Recognized for leading enterprise-wide initiatives and hands-on project execution, he has a record of building new processes from scratch, creating executive alignment, and forging strategic partnerships across organizational boundaries.
Read the Release >
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