Franklin Chemist Recognized for Innovation at PSTC 2025

Franklin Adhesives & Polymers is proud to announce that Dr. Katie Burdette-Trofimov, Senior Product Development Chemist and Technical Service Group Leader, received an Honorable Mention for Technical Excellence at Tape Week 2025, hosted by the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC). This marks the first time PSTC has presented an honorable mention as part of its prestigious Carl Dahlquist Award program—highlighting the innovation and relevance of her contribution to the pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) industry.

Dr. Burdette-Trofimov's research investigates how microsphere technology can be used to fine-tune adhesive performance—allowing for repositionability and long-term clean removability without compromising bond strength. This is particularly relevant for fast-growing applications such as removable graphics and linerless labels, where adhesives must meet demanding performance and application requirements. The Pressure Sensitive Tape Council noted that her work demonstrates how advances in formulation science can bridge the gap between performance and flexibility—key for customers seeking high-performance products with sustainability and user convenience in mind (PSTC, 2025).

“We’re proud to see Katie honored by PSTC for her outstanding technical expertise and leadership in pressure-sensitive adhesive innovation,” noted Zhaohui Sun, Vice President of Polymer Business, Franklin International. “Her commitment to addressing real-world industry challenges exemplifies our mission to provide trusted, reliable, high-performance solutions to the PSA market.”

Tape Week 2025, hosted by the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council, brings together industry leaders to cultivate learning and spark discussion across multiple lenses including regulatory insights, technical research, performance testing, and product marketing. The Carl Dahlquist Award, named after the scientist who established the foundational Dahlquist Criterion in PSA design, is the highest technical honor presented by PSTC. The 2025 award went to Dr. Edward Lee of Dow Chemical for his research on nanoparticle dispersions and film morphology in waterborne acrylic adhesives—pushing the boundaries of PSA performance and environmental responsibility. Dr. Lee and Dr. Burdette-Trofimov's recognitions are a testament to the level of innovation being driven across the industry.

Franklin Adhesives & Polymers congratulates both award recipients and remains committed to fostering cutting-edge adhesive technologies that provide solutions for the industry’s most critical performance challenges.

Read the original announcement article from PSTC here.

PSAs Engineered to Fit Your Workflow

Franklin Adhesives & Polymers, a division of Franklin International, manufactures wood adhesives, specialty polymers, and pressure-sensitive adhesives used across a wide range of applications in both industry and component manufacturing. Our PSA business focuses on water-based emulsions used in specialty labels, tapes, graphics, and protective films. Family-owned and operated since 1935, Franklin International remains committed to fostering and enhancing the industry. Click here to see our full PSA product offerings.

Does your company have specialized application needs? Connect with our team of adhesive experts to discover how Franklin Adhesives & Polymers can engineer PSAs to your workflow by clicking here.

About PSTC

The Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC) is recognized as an influential North American trade association of world-class pressure sensitive adhesive tape manufacturers and their suppliers, whose goal is to increase the global usage of PSA tape products. PSTC member-companies comply with the highest standards for manufacturing quality products with environmentally and socially responsible methods and practices (PSTC, 2025). Click here to learn more about PSTC markets, initiatives, and event information.

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Pressure Sensitive Tape Council. (2025, June 17). Edward Lee receives PSTC’s 2025 Carl Dahlquist Award for technical excellence in pressure‑sensitive adhesives. PSTC. Retrieved July 1, 2025, from https://pstc.org/edward-lee-receives-pstcs-2025-carl-dahlquist-award-for-technical-excellence-in-pressure-sensitive-adhesives/

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Franklin Adhesives & Polymers is a division of Franklin International.

About Franklin International: Established in 1935, Franklin International is among the largest privately held manufacturers of adhesives and sealants in the U.S. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, the company maintains multiple manufacturing and distribution locations in the U.S. and a plant in Guangzhou, China. The company maintains two divisions: Franklin Adhesives & Polymers provides pressure-sensitive adhesives for labels, tapes and graphics applications, and adhesives for wood assembly markets, and the Construction Division manufactures Titebond-brand wood glues, construction adhesives, sealants and flooring products.

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