"We are excited for the potential of our continued collaboration and the vision, not only to advance coatings technologies, but also [to] make a positive impact on our region's economy," said Stuart Rowan, director of the Institute for Advanced Materials and Kent Hale Smith Professor of Engineering at Case Western Reserve University.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Sherwin-Williams Co. on Monday announced that it is donating $1 million to support materials research at Case Western Reserve University's Institute for Advanced Materials.
The money will support collaborative projects with Case Western Reserve faculty and graduate students researching advanced materials and polymers to create innovative designs in coating technologies.
"We are excited for the potential of our continued collaboration and the vision, not only to advance coatings technologies, but also [to] make a positive impact on our region's economy," said Stuart Rowan, the Institute's director and Kent Hale Smith Professor of Engineering at Case Western Reserve University, in a written statement.
Chris Duston, executive director for the Institute for Advanced Materials at Case Western Reserve University, shows off some of the ongoing research at the recent Ceramics Expo at the IX Center. W.A. "Bud" Baeslack III, provost and executive vice president, said in the same statement that "We deeply appreciate Sherwin-Williams' long engagement with our university and more recent involvement with our Institute for Advanced Materials.
"The Institute has catalyzed impressive partnerships within Case Western Reserve, and this new commitment will foster even more collaboration between our organizations," he said. "We are very grateful."
The Institute for Advanced Materials, founded in 2010, aims to enhance and energize Ohio's industrial base and manufacturing capability by using a broad range of materials as a foundation for innovations in multiple technology sectors, the company said. The Institute uses an interdisciplinary approach to advance new materials research and promote the region's economic viability.
Both Sherwin-Williams and Case Western trace their roots to the 1800s, and have partnered on various endeavors since the Cleveland paint company opened its first chemistry research lab 75 years ago on what is now Case Western's campus.
Moreover, the son of one of the firm's co-founders was a trustee of Adelbert College and Cleveland College, the predecessors of what is now Case Western Reserve. And numerous Case Western graduates have held executive roles at Sherwin-Williams, including former Chief Executives Walter Spencer and Jack Breen. More than 70 CWRU alumni currently work for Sherwin-Williams, the company said.
"Our industry-leading R&D team and innovation excellence culture are the fuels that drive Sherwin-Williams to create the best products for our customers," said Diana Strongosky, senior vice president of research and development for the company's Global Supply Chain and director of the Breen Technology Center in Cleveland.
More than 350 chemists, scientists, and engineers at the Breen Technology Center work to develop innovative processes, products, and technology solutions for Sherwin-Williams' architectural products, such as the germ-killing Paint Shield paint developed for healthcare facilities that the company launched on Oct. 28. Forty-one percent of the chemists, scientists and engineers there are women.
"Our continued success and growth depends on a robust innovation pipeline," Strongosky said. "Long-term productive partnerships, like the one we have at CWRU, are critical to developing best-in-class technology and the next generation of research scientists who will pioneer continuous innovations which increase shareholder value and financial performance."