David S. Bem is the Senior Vice President, Science and Technology and Chief Technology Officer at PPG, a leading global coatings company. He oversees innovation across a portfolio of key segments to drive adoption of new paint and coatings offerings in products ranging from automobiles and airplanes to electronics and home care goods. Prior to joining PPG in 2015, Bem led research and development at several prominent companies, including Celanese Corporation and Dow Chemical Advanced Materials. Additionally, he was a research and development chemist at UOP-Honeywell and holds nine U.S. patents. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and serves on the Board of Directors for Brady Corporation and the Pittsburgh Carnegie Science Center. He received a B.S. in chemistry from West Virginia University and a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

2025 NASA Symp

The future of sustainable coatings innovation

This presentation will explore how PPG is at the forefront of sustainable innovation by harnessing advanced materials science to develop high-performance coatings that fulfill our mission to protect and beautify the world. Led by PPG’s Senior Vice President of Science and Technology, the session will highlight solutions that deliver on environmental goals while delivering enhanced performance and value for customers. Attendees will gain valuable insights into PPG’s strategic initiatives and future growth opportunities for sustainably advantaged technologies.