David Savastano, Editor07.31.18
Patrick Powers of DSM Coating Resins has played a key role in introducing resins for the graphic arts industry.
After seven years at Union Camp, Powers joined Zeneca Resins in 1995, and he saw potential for the company’s resin technology for the printing ink industry.
“Zeneca had developed water-based technology in the US and solvent-based technology for Europe,” said Powers, who is responsible for commercial development, printing and packaging for DSM. “As a salesman, I launched their technology for the first time in the graphic arts. I was able to convince them to make graphic arts a focus.”
DSM bought out Avecia in 2006, and Powers has remained focused on the industry, playing important roles in the development of urethane technology for flexo inks with compatibility with nitrocelluloseand soft feel tactile technology.An advocate for the environment, Powers also took coating resins designed for non-packaging applications and found uses for them with partners concerned about VOC regulations and environmental issues.
Powers credits many people in the ink industry as influences.
“Among my influences, Bill Shook gave me my first shot at Chemcentral, and gave me early fundamentals,” he said. “Sam Gilbert of Sun Chemical, Mike Hines of INX, Phil Earnest of hubergroup, Julio Rodriguez of American Inks & Coatings and Flint Group and Chuck Rybny of Penn Color were some of the industry leaders who taught me a lot over the years.”
Powers is an active member of numerous trade associations. Aside from his support of NAPIM and NPIRI, Powers is a contributing member of the American Coatings Society, Atlanta Printing Club, Detroit Coating Society, Chicago Printing Ink Production Club, Automotive Coatings Society and the Automotive Coatings Federation.
Outside of the industry, Powers enjoys music; he plays rhythm guitar with the Ink Knives, a rock band made up of NAPIM members, and he also enjoys going to blues clubs around Chicago. He will have more time for music, as he is retiring at the end of this year.
For Powers, receiving this year’s Pioneer Award is even more rewarding, as his brother Jack, who is at Sun Chemical, received a Pioneer Award last year.
“It is cool because my brother Jack won it last year,” Powers added.
After seven years at Union Camp, Powers joined Zeneca Resins in 1995, and he saw potential for the company’s resin technology for the printing ink industry.
“Zeneca had developed water-based technology in the US and solvent-based technology for Europe,” said Powers, who is responsible for commercial development, printing and packaging for DSM. “As a salesman, I launched their technology for the first time in the graphic arts. I was able to convince them to make graphic arts a focus.”
DSM bought out Avecia in 2006, and Powers has remained focused on the industry, playing important roles in the development of urethane technology for flexo inks with compatibility with nitrocelluloseand soft feel tactile technology.An advocate for the environment, Powers also took coating resins designed for non-packaging applications and found uses for them with partners concerned about VOC regulations and environmental issues.
Powers credits many people in the ink industry as influences.
“Among my influences, Bill Shook gave me my first shot at Chemcentral, and gave me early fundamentals,” he said. “Sam Gilbert of Sun Chemical, Mike Hines of INX, Phil Earnest of hubergroup, Julio Rodriguez of American Inks & Coatings and Flint Group and Chuck Rybny of Penn Color were some of the industry leaders who taught me a lot over the years.”
Powers is an active member of numerous trade associations. Aside from his support of NAPIM and NPIRI, Powers is a contributing member of the American Coatings Society, Atlanta Printing Club, Detroit Coating Society, Chicago Printing Ink Production Club, Automotive Coatings Society and the Automotive Coatings Federation.
Outside of the industry, Powers enjoys music; he plays rhythm guitar with the Ink Knives, a rock band made up of NAPIM members, and he also enjoys going to blues clubs around Chicago. He will have more time for music, as he is retiring at the end of this year.
For Powers, receiving this year’s Pioneer Award is even more rewarding, as his brother Jack, who is at Sun Chemical, received a Pioneer Award last year.
“It is cool because my brother Jack won it last year,” Powers added.
