CHARLOTTE, N.C.—The latest developments in the world of polyurethanes and unique insights into the North American polyurethanes market will be among the topics at UTECH North America.
The polyurethanes conference, which will include nearly 40 technical papers delivered in eight sessions, will be held April 6-7 at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Delegates are expected to hear updates on key issues facing the polyurethanes industry in North America as well as the chance to network with the world's leading practitioners.
Two sessions focusing on sustainability, which include nine papers, are among the highlights in the program. Other dedicated sessions from two parallel conference streams include a look at polyurethanes technology in automotive applications, flexible foams, rigid foams, CASE products (coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers) and the latest advances in processing equipment.
Among the presenters are Galen Suppes of the University of Missouri, who will discuss “Simulation as a Tool to Design and Understand Urethane Formulations;” and Bin Shi, technical engineer at Wanhua, who will speak on the “Introduction of Innovation R&D platform for polyurethane-Wanhua.”
The first day's program will feature a session examining polyurethanes for automotive applications and focusing on key areas of noise reduction, air quality, seating and comfort versus lightweighting. Six papers in the parallel session look at machinery and processing innovations for polyurethane applications including premix technology, compression technology, dual axis mixing and mix head technologies.
A session on flexible foams will be held that afternoon, with papers on fire retardants, advances in stabilization of PU flexible foam and performance comparisons of renewable resource polyols in flexible, slabstock polyurethane foam.
The second day includes a sustainability round table, a session on CASE innovations including a new hydrophobic diol given by Herbert Chao, innovations manager at Total Cray Valley. Four papers on rigid foams will examine new multi-metal and amine catalysts, silicone surfactant reactivity, advances in pour-in-place foam and novel biobased polyols.
Early-bird rates are $150 for one day or $225 for both days until Feb. 5, the rates increase to $180 for a single days and $265 for both days after the deadline.
The event is supported by the Polyurethane Manufacturers Association, the industry organization dedicated to advancing cast polyurethane technology.
Visitors can now register to attend the free trade show and paid-for conference at its website.