Royal DSM N.V., the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company headquartered in the Netherlands, announces today that Ad Overbeek, Global Science Manager DSM NeoResins+, has been selected by The Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology (FSCT) to deliver the 2009 Joseph J. Mattiello Memorial Lecture.

The award, considered by many to be the most prestigious in the international coatings scientific community, recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the field of coatings science and technology. The lecture forms the focal point of the Mattiello Symposium and will be held on Tuesday 28 April 2009 during the FSCT’s CoatingsTech Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana (United States).

Ben van Kooten, Business Group Director of DSM Resins, which includes DSM NeoResins+, commented: “We are extremely proud to have this award bestowed upon one of our leading research scientists. This award underlines DSM’s ongoing commitment to pioneering research, development and innovation as a core platform of our business strategy. We are particularly pleased with Ad’s success as it also reflects the success DSM NeoResins+ has achieved in the field of advancing and developing more environmentally responsible resin systems, such as our waterborne resins, which has given us a global leadership position in the marketplace.”

Ad Overbeek, was educated at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands and is Global Science Manager and Competence Manager ‘Aqueous Polymer Technology’ at DSM NeoResins+. Throughout an illustrious career that spans 24 years at the forefront of surface coatings science, he has amassed many notable accolades including 53 published patents, and also received the European Coatings Award (2001) and the Golden Coat Award (1995).

Overbeek’s work has focused on the contribution of polymer technology to coatings developments and performance. In particular he has led a number of advancements in environmentally responsible coatings and has been highly instrumental in driving the industry’s transition to waterborne resin technology, underlining DSM NeoResins+ leadership position in this field globally. A significant factor in this has been the company’s ability to successfully convert a high number of patents and scientific developments from its R&D resources into commercial realities.

Ad Overbeek is a highly active member of the international coatings community and has been an active Advisory Board member of SEP (Foundation of Emulsion Polymerization) since its founding in 1988. He has also served as industrial liaison and steering committee member for IOP-Paint (Innovative Research Program for Paints, by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs) as well as serving on the Advisory Board of a number of symposia and conferences, most notably the Athens Conference (1999-2003) and Coatings Science International (2004-present).

The Federation of Societies for Coatings Technologies (FSCT) organized the first Joseph J. Mattiello Lecture in 1949 and it has been held annually ever since. The invited lecture commemorates the contributions of Dr. Mattiello, former President of the FSCT (1943-44), who was instrumental in expanding the application of the sciences in the decorative and protective coatings fields. Dr. Mattiello was vice president and technical director of Hilo Varnish Corporation, Brooklyn, NY, when he died in 1948.

The lecturer, chosen from among select individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the science and/or technology of coatings, is invited to deliver a paper on a phase of chemistry or other physical science, engineering, human relationships or other sciences fundamental to paint and coatings, varnish, lacquer, or otherwise related to protective or decorative coatings.

DSM NeoResins+
DSM NeoResins+ is a leading, committed, global supplier of innovative specialty resins, specialized in the development and manufacturing of resins that are focused on fulfilling the needs of the coatings and graphic arts industries. DSM NeoResins+ has 1,250 employees and operates seven manufacturing sites across the world. DSM NeoResins+ is committed to a strong focus on customer needs and has five Application and Research & Technology Centers, which are further supported by three Customer Service Centers. The business also includes the recently acquired company DSM NeoSol based in Providence, US. DSM NeoResins+ is headquartered in Waalwijk (Netherlands).