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London - The programme for the UTECH Europe 2009 conference has just been issued, featuring many of the polyurethane industry's leading international experts in what has been described as the world's leading event for 2009.

Over 80 papers will be presented in eight separate sessions over three days, from 31 March – 2 April 2009, including a series of presentations in two half-day sessions created by leading organisations in the sector focussed on current safety, health and environmental matters, as well as the latest developments in the use of polyureas, the fastest-growing technology in the plastics sector.

The Plenary Session opening the event, has a sharp focus on sustainability, and will be followed by a trio of presentations detailing developments in three key fast-growing markets.

"The range of expertise on offer in this event is incredible," suggests Paul Mitchell, managing director of Crain Communications Ltd, which organises the conference and publishes Urethanes Technology International, the world's leading magazine which has been reporting on the polyurethanes industry since 1986.

"The willing support of so many of the world's leading experts makes this the most important event in the industry's calendar in 2009," he added, pointing out that speakers come from all the major concerns active in the sector.

In addition, Mitchell said, "these specialists come from all the leading companies around the world, across Europe and off into the USA, South Korea, Japan and, of course, the People's Republic of China.

"The support of key industry groups such as ISOPA (the European Diisocyanate and Polyols Producers Association) and the recently formed Polyurea Development Association Europe, further confirms the importance of this event," Mitchell concluded.

Keynote from Bayer chief
The three-day event opens on 31 March 2009 in the Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands, with a Keynote presentation from Patrick Thomas, chief executive officer of Bayer MaterialScience, leading into the Plenary Session focussed on the concept of sustainability. This first morning ends with a trio of presentations by key regional specialists discussing the situation of and prospects for key developing markets of India, eastern Europe and, of course, the People's Republic of China.

Opening remarks from Steven English, the recently appointed head of ISOPA (the European Diisocyanate and Polyols Producers Association), will highlight the views of raw material makers on sustainability, and other speakers in this session include Timo Mäkelä, Director – Sustainable Development and Integration – in the DG Environment of the European Commission, David Crowhurst from the UK's Building Research Establishment, discussing the responses needed from the construction sector, and a representative of the European Furniture Industry Confederation addressing the pressures on this key market for flexible polyurethane foams.

Papers on the developing markets have been agreed with Gujurat Narmada Valley Fertilisers Co. Ltd, India's sole maker of TDI (toluene diisocyanate), and Yantai Polyurethane Co. Ltd, the leading domestic manufacturer of MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) in China. Jonathan Mawbey with Elastogran of Germany will provide detailed insights into the markets of eastern Europe, where growth has continues at a high rate among the various countries.

The technical conference, opening on the afternoon of the first day, will run through to 2 April, in a series of half-day sessions focussed on the key technical developments in the use of polyurethanes to make rigid and flexible foams, and CASE products (coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers), with a separate session on automotive applications.

Green issues high on agenda
Several papers in the different sessions will be discussing the use of renewable resources in making polyurethanes, as well as other key environmental issues such as the elimination of ozone-depleting materials, recycling of end-of-life products, and recent advances in polyurethane technology for energy saving insulation.

Two further technical sessions will discuss the latest innovations in polyurethanes technology and some of the most recently developed processing techniques used to make high-performance composites. Although primarily for the automotive sector, these tough composites are now also finding applications where their combination of rigidity and low weight is of value.

Associations focus on key issues
The morning of the second day of the UTECH Europe 2009 Conference will see the first of two half-day sessions from key industry bodies. ISOPA has compiled a wide-ranging programme addressing key safety, health and environmental issues including an overview of the latest status of the European Union's REACH legislation (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals), which is now well into implementation, an examination of the PU industry's role in promoting sustainability, and the sector's continuing efforts to improve combustibility of products used in the construction sector.

In addition, the recently formed Polyurea Development Association Europe will be running a half-day session on the morning of the final day of the conference, 2 April, detailing the latest commercial and technical developments relating to this fast-growing market. This will feature several papers addressing the use of these materials in Europe, North America and the Far East, as well as some of the key technical issues and possibilities, illustrated by recent case studies.

Without doubt, this combination of high-level information on technical, legislative and commercial activities in the polyurethanes sector, will make the UTECH Europe 2009 Conference an unmissable event. Book your place now, to avoid disappointment!

The programme will shortly be available by post from UTECH 2009 Conference, Crain Communications Ltd, 21 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9EU; Tel: +44 (0)20 7457 1400; Fax: +44 (0)20 7457 1440; E-mail: UTECH-2009@crain.com and via the UTECH link on the Website: www.urethanes-technology-international.com.

SOURCE: UTECH Europe