As part of a collaborative project focusing on coatings and joining systems for lightweight materials, the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory (ARL) tasked PPG to develop a high-strength, highly ductile structural adhesive to meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) test method standard MIL-PRF-32662, Tier I-III specification. MIL-PRF-32662 incorporates a decade of rigorous research efforts to statistically correlate the complex ballistic response of adhesively bonded armor assemblies to universally translatable and commercially relevant quasi-static mechanical properties.

The seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic entered the consciousness of most people I know (in the U.S., anyway) in March 2020. I specifically remember circling the date on the calendar when it truly sunk in for me: March 13. What a difference a year makes.

Before 2020, I always thought it would be fascinating to live through a truly “historic” time. The massive losses of the past year—both human and economic—have cured me of that naïve perspective. However, the continued upheaval has also shown how resilient, supportive, and innovative we can be in the face of multiple crises.

IPC APEX EXPO 2021 is being held virtually on March 8-12, 2021. “Given ongoing COVID-19 health and safety concerns and continued restrictions for large gatherings and events in California, it was not feasible to safely convene the nearly 9,000 expected participants at IPC APEX EXPO 2021,” said John Mitchell, IPC president and CEO. “The event will now take place in a safe, all-virtual format.”

Chemical and materials companies have three mandates that, if done well, can ensure great business results for decades to come.