RadTech Continues to Advance UV+EB Technology Sharing, Innovation, Competitiveness, and Sustainability

RadTech Review 2025:

Leadership

RadTech named Mike Bonner of Saint Clair Systems as President for a two-year term, succeeding Michael Gould of Rahn USA; with Todd Fayne, PepsiCo elected as President‑Elect to assume office in 2027. Please note the current RadTech Board of Directors.

Todd Fayne, PepsiCo

Scientific & Sustainability

Environmental Footprint of UV+EB Packaging Materials

RadTech released a life‑cycle assessment led by Dr. Calvin Lakhan of York University, comparing the environmental impacts of Water-Based, UV, and EB inks used in packaging. The study concluded that UV+EB inks offer the lowest carbon footprint, minimal VOC emissions, and reduced energy usage, delivering significant environmental benefits compared to water‑based systems.

Environmental Footprint of UV+EB Packaging Materials

Rita Loof, the RadTech West Coast Director, continued efforts to educate regulators about the environmental, health and safety benefits of our technology.

Convening Experts: Key Events of 2025

Annual Winter Meeting – Tampa, FL (January 27-28, 2025)

At our January Winter Meeting, attendees explored pressing topics such as photoinitiator regulation, sustainability metrics, life-cycle assessments, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) trends. The sessions emphasized regulatory shifts, such as TSCA, REACH, and upcoming EPR legislation.

RadTech 2025 UV+EB Technology Conference – Detroit, MI (May 18–21)

RadTech 2025 UV+EB Technology Conference in Detroit, Michigan brought together innovators from 21 countries across the global UV/EB ecosystem for an energizing showcase of advanced manufacturing and industrial progress. Featuring 100 technical presentations, 56 exhibitors, and high-impact panels, the event highlighted the expanding role of UV+EB in automotive coatings, packaging, industrial applications, and OEM collaborations. With a strong mix of decision-makers, R&D leaders, and equipment providers, the conference underscored how UV+EB technologies are fueling efficiency, precision, and the next wave of industrial resurgence.

Photopolymer Additive Manufacturing (PAMA) Workshop – Boulder, CO (September 15-16, 2025)

Co-hosted with NIST, the workshop kicked off Photopolymer Week with an intensive two-day program uniting academic and industry leaders to shape the future of photopolymer 3D printing. The workshop addressed the state of the technology, evolving regulatory and safety frameworks, materials innovation, and the emerging promise of volumetric additive manufacturing. Designed for collaboration, this annual event aims to align research, industry roadmaps, and policy to accelerate the next wave of progress in photopolymer additive manufacturing.

Photopolymerization Fundamentals Conference – Boulder, CO (September 16–19, 2025)

The premier global gathering where academic and industrial leaders converge to delve into the essential science of photopolymerization. Hosted at the University of Colorado Boulder, the event offered intensive short courses, plenary sessions, multiple technical tracks, interactive poster sessions, and a vendor exhibit—all designed to spark discovery and foster dialogue across sectors. Presenters shared their latest research breakthroughs and product-focused achievements, followed by generous discussion time to drive collaboration and advance the field. 

Welcoming New Members

RadTech is proud to welcome a rapidly growing community of members from across the UV+EB ecosystem, including global leaders, pioneering startups, and top academic institutions. This diverse and dynamic network is helping push the boundaries of manufacturing and reflects the momentum driving our mission forward. Among the newest members are AkzoNobel, PPG, Eastman Chemical, Sherwin-Williams, Altana, and many more.

Programs Fueling Future Growth

RadLaunch Accelerator & Innovation Awards

At RadTech 2025 we honored leaders at the intersection of UV/EB technologies, Next Gen Innovation and sustainability, including:

• Ford Motor Company for its patented precision-painting system using UV-curable coatings, achieving major efficiency, material, and cost savings.
• Toyota Industries Corporation introduced a single‑layer UV-curable hard coating for plastic glazing, reducing emissions and processing complexity.
• PPG 100% solids coil coatings process demonstrating up to 70% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional systems, representing a major step forward in sustainable metal finishing.
• Pixelligent using UV enabled high tech manufacturing including nanoimprint lithography, and inkjet printing, to develop next generation high-tech displays, lighting, extended reality (XR) devices and advanced sensors.  
• Supernova’s Viscous Lithography Manufacturing (VLM) advances photopolymer AM using controlled layer deposition and precise UV patterning to cure resins with mechanical properties comparable to injection-molded engineering plastics.
• Maddiy Segal, Duke University is developing groundbreaking UV DLP 3D printing, paving the way for biodegradable medical implants and other next-generation biomedical devices.
• Plus visit our other sustainability and degradability challange winners!

Looking Forward: Upcoming Events & Initiatives

RadTech is steering numerous strategic projects and future programming, including:

• RadTech has launched an AI/Machine Learning (AI/ML) Working Group to explore how these tools can accelerate formulation design, process optimization, and testing in UV/EB applications. Industry feedback highlights both the promise of uncovering complex material interactions and improving real-time system monitoring, as well as the challenges of data readiness, cultural adoption, and trust in model outputs. The group will work to align members around shared use cases, data strategies, and partnerships to move AI/ML from early experimentation into practical, industry-wide applications.
• Development of new of life‑cycle assessment tools and sustainability metrics for coatings and adhesives, including a coil coatings LCA 
• Expansion of RadTech’s partnerships and outreach, reinforcing global collaboration on policy, technology, and environmental innovation.
• The RadTech Coil Coatings committee is initiating a UV+EB Coil Coatings Life Cycle Analysis, with new initiatives including a market research analysis, cost modeling, and further collaboration with the National Coil Coatings Association. 

Get ready for BIG IDEAS for UV+EB Technology, March 2–3, 2026, on the legendary USS Midway Aircraft Carrier in San Diego. This one-of-a-kind event will spotlight the biggest ideas transforming UV+EB technology through dynamic panels and presentations, while introducing a fresh format with local company tours and activities during the day, and unforgettable evening sessions aboard the Midway. Stay tuned for more details on this landmark gathering.

New Academic Collaborations

Thank you to RadTech members for joining us at Impactful Lunch & Learn sessions at Michigan State and Purdue University offering us a hands-on look at tomorrow’s innovations. Ideas of future University visits? Please let us know!

About RadTech

RadTech is a member-driven, nonprofit trade association with global reach, devoted to advancing UV and EB curing technologies across sectors such as coatings, packaging, printing, additive manufacturing, and medical devices. Through advocacy, research, education, and global events, RadTech accelerates cleaner, energy‑efficient manufacturing and champions responsible innovation. Learn more at RadTech.org.

Thank You

Whether you’re a longtime member or newly joined, thank you for being part of this extraordinary community. Together, we’re accelerating the adoption of UV/EB technology and shaping a more sustainable, energy-efficient future.

Let’s keep up the momentum!