SERDP and ESTCP have announced the next ASETS Workshop, scheduled for August 11–13 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
As regulatory pressures, supply-chain constraints, and performance demands continue to reshape the finishing and coatings landscape, the U.S. Department of War is expanding its efforts to identify and deploy advanced alternatives to traditional surface-treatment technologies.
One of the most significant initiatives supporting that transition is the Advanced Surface Engineering Technologies for the Services (ASETS) program, led by the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP).
Visit https://serdp-estcp.mil/page/f7ad5195-e8ef-11ec-9685-026db1cbe810 to register for the event
According to SERDP and ESTCP, the Department of Defense spends more than $20 billion annually addressing corrosion and material degradation across defense systems. Corrosion protection remains essential for maintaining the readiness, safety, and long-term performance of military aircraft, vehicles, ships, and support equipment. At the same time, many legacy coatings and surface treatments face increasing regulatory scrutiny and supply-chain risks.
Moving Beyond Legacy Materials
The ASETS initiative focuses on advancing and demonstrating surface engineering technologies that can maintain—or improve—performance while reducing dependence on materials affected by regulatory restrictions and supply disruptions. The program is particularly focused on alternatives to:
- Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+, chromates, chromic acid)
- Cadmium-containing coatings
- Coatings containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
For manufacturers, MRO facilities, coating suppliers, and materials engineers, the transition away from these legacy materials represents one of the most important technological shifts currently underway in defense finishing operations. New technologies must not only meet increasingly stringent environmental requirements but also deliver the durability, corrosion resistance, wear protection, and lifecycle performance demanded by military applications.
A Collaborative Technology Transfer Platform
ASETS serves as more than a research initiative. The program provides a structured forum where defense maintenance organizations, weapons-system manufacturers, researchers, and industry partners can exchange information on emerging technologies, qualification data, implementation strategies, and approval pathways.
Through its workshops and technical outreach activities, ASETS helps bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and real-world deployment. Participants gain access to performance data and implementation experiences that can accelerate the adoption of new coating systems and surface engineering processes across defense sustainment operations. 
This collaborative approach is particularly valuable as defense organizations evaluate alternatives that can reduce environmental liabilities while maintaining mission-critical performance standards.
Focus on Readiness and Lifecycle Cost Reduction
A central objective of the ASETS program is helping defense organizations improve weapons-system performance while reducing lifecycle costs and minimizing financial and regulatory impacts associated with legacy coating technologies. By supporting the evaluation and implementation of advanced surface engineering solutions, the initiative seeks to enhance equipment availability and long-term sustainment outcomes.
For the coatings industry, the program highlights growing opportunities in areas such as:
- Environmentally compliant corrosion protection systems
- Advanced conversion coatings
- Alternative pretreatment technologies
- Wear-resistant surface treatments
- Low-VOC and VOC-free coating systems
- Sustainable finishing processes designed for demanding operational environments
These technologies are increasingly important as both military and commercial sectors seek to balance performance requirements with environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance.
ASETS Workshop Continues to Grow
SERDP and ESTCP have announced the next ASETS Workshop, scheduled for August 11–13, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The event will bring together stakeholders from across the defense surface engineering community to discuss emerging technologies, qualification efforts, and implementation strategies.
The workshop continues ASETS’ role as a premier forum for knowledge sharing and technology transfer within the defense finishing and coatings sector. By convening government agencies, OEMs, repair depots, researchers, and suppliers, the event provides a unique opportunity to examine the latest developments in corrosion prevention and advanced surface engineering.
In addition to its workshops, ASETS provides access to technical resources through an integrated database within the EC-SMART decision-support platform. The database is designed to help defense organizations evaluate emerging chemicals and alternative technologies, supporting more informed decisions regarding materials selection and technology adoption.
For finishing and coating professionals, the ASETS initiative offers a clear indication of where future defense requirements are headed. As regulatory and supply-chain challenges continue to affect traditional surface treatment chemistries, the demand for validated alternatives will only increase. Programs such as ASETS are helping ensure that next-generation coating and surface engineering technologies can be transitioned more rapidly from development to operational use, strengthening both military readiness and the broader industrial base.
