Sustainability and Renewable Resources Top Agenda at UTECH North America Polyurethanes Conference

Sustainability and the use of renewable resources in the manufacture of polyurethanes are the focus of two technical sessions at the upcoming UTECH North America conference taking place April 6th and 7th 2016 at Charlotte Convention Center, North Carolina, USA. A free-to-attend trade show takes place alongside the conference.

No less than eight out of a total of nearly 40 technical papers being presented at the UTECH North America conference will present innovative approaches to increasing sustainability in the manufacture and use of polyurethanes including the latest global developments in the production of raw materials. Jeff Rowlands, Director, Green Urethanes chairs the two sessions running over both days of the event.

Soybean and cashew nutshells are among two sustainable resources whose use features in the program with Phil Sarnacke, Plastics Commercialization Manager at the United Soybean Board presenting on Soy Polyols – a Sustainable Bio-Material for the Global Polyurethane Industry. He will be followed by Cardolite Corporation’s Technical Marketing Manager Yun Mi Kim whose paper is entitled: Cashew Nutshell Liquid based Polyols and Diols: Their Hydrophobicity and Outstanding Durability.

Anna Cherian, Senior Scientist, Applications Development at Novomer will deliver a paper on Converge CO2-based polyols for Rigid Foam insulation, while speakers from Wanhua, DuPont Tate & Lyle, Croda and Bio Amber will further explore a range of innovations in the use of bio-based polyols. Their papers include:

• Next generation novel polyols, raising the bar of high performance polyurethanes
• Production of Bio-based Polyester Polyols for New Polyurethane Applications
• Application of bio-based polycarbonate diol in polyurethane elastomer
• Bio-Based Succinic Acid: A Building Block for Succinate Polyester Polyols in Modified Thermoplastic Urethanes for Elastomers and Hot Melt Adhesives
• Biobased 1,5-pentanediol and polyvalerolactone polyol: Unique C5 polyol for green polyurethane

Polyurethane Specialist, Mark Listermann will chair a session-closing round table debate looking at the sustainable use of additives and formulated products.

Other sessions from two parallel conference streams include those looking at polyurethanes in automotive applications, flexible foams, rigid foams, CASE products (coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers), the latest advances in processing equipment and blowing agent innovations.

Conference delegate rates are highly competitive compared to other events in the industry and offer outstanding value to all those with a professional interest in polyurethanes. Early-bird delegate rates for conference bookings made until February 19th are US$150 for a single day or US$225 for both days. Thereafter the standard rates are US$180 for a single day and US$265 for both days.

Often described as the hidden polymer, polyurethanes are widely used in automotive, aerospace, building and construction, furniture and bedding, electrical and electro-technical, footwear and textiles, mining and offshore, pipes, refrigeration and insulation.

Among the major international companies with booths already booked at the accompanying free-to-attend UTECH North America 2016 trade show are Dow Chemical, Wanhua of China, Cannon, Hennecke Inc, DuPont & Tate & Lyle, Repi LLC, Honeywell, Chromaflo Technologies and Tosoh. The event is supported by the Polyurethane Manufacturers Association (PMA), the industry organization dedicated to advancing cast polyurethane technology.

For more information, to book a place as a conference delegate or to register for free attendance at the trade show visit: www.utech-north-america.com

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