5 for 50: 5 industry acronyms you should know

Everyone, it seems, loves a good acronym. They do, after all, streamline our conversations, texts and emails, while helping to define and clarify company goals and focuses.

The rubber industry, with everything from LSR and SSBR to EPDM and TPE, has it's own unique shorthand. But as technologies emerge and impact daily business operations, we're seeing new acronyms find their way into our industry vernacular. Here's a look at 5 acronyms you'll likely encounter in the years ahead.

In every issue leading up to our special 50th Anniversary edition on Aug. 9, we'll explore a new list of 5 things that have changed or are changing the industry. When our 50th anniversary issue arrives, you'll have a total of 50 things that define the last five decades.

1. The CASE for CASE

Your rubber industry perspective may determine exactly what CASE means to you.

Traditionally, the industry acronym stood for coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers. But the emergence of new vehicle technology gave CASE a brand new meaning. When the automotive space began its rush toward industry-redefining technology, CASE characterized those areas where opportunities emerged: connected, autonomous, shared and electric vehicles.

If you're one of those operating in the spaces where CASE meets CASE, we wish you a career full of conversations brimming with context clues.

2. Everyday assists

Tomorrow's autonomous vehicle technology stands on the shoulders of today's back-up cameras and blind-spot warning technologies. And that makes ADAS—advanced driver assistance systems—a critical part of the auto industry's alphabet soup du jour.

This tech, standard on many new vehicles, is the backbone of the new technologies that will define a future automotive landscape. ADAS technologies, driven by GPS (global positioning system) and LIDAR (light detection and ranging), are helping to make self-parking, self-driving vehicles a reality.

3. BEV, no ICE

The auto industry is on the cusp of an electric vehicle revolution. Experts say it's coming quickly, especially as more OEMs invest time and resources into the development of EVs and governments encourage moves toward ZEVs (zero emissions vehicles) with regulations and infrastructure investments.

That doesn't necessarily mean ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles are going anywhere anytime soon. BEVs (battery electric vehicles) are becoming more popular, but likely won't capture a majority of the market share anytime soon. It's also possible we could see a shift toward HEVs (hybrid electric vehicles) before BEVs really take off.

4. STAMPED for safety

STAMPED, an acronym that has taken root in the hose industry, is a quick, easy reminder of what it takes to ensure the utmost safety for any hose used in any application.

During the 2019 Hose Manufacturers Conference, organized by Rubber & Plastics News, Joanna Truitt, NAHAD's director of training and the Hose Safety Institute, discussed the considerations that ensure the right hose is used properly every time. It depends, she said, on Size, Temperature, Application, Material/Media, Pressure, Ends and Delivery—STAMPED.

5. Machine learning scholars

Technology isn't just getting cooler, it's getting smarter. And no matter which sector of the rubber industry you're in, the intelligence of the technology you use is going to grow.

AI (artificial intelligence) encompasses a number of capabilities, and it will impact just about every level of business from product design and manufacturing to sales. The types of AI rising to prominence include ML (machine learning), CL (conversation learning) and DL (deep learning). Each helps break down extraordinary amounts of data to streamline operations and systems.