Rubber Division Expo begins

Attendees prepare to receive their badges during the opening of the ACS Rubber Division's International Elastomer Conference Tuesday at the I-X Center in Cleveland.

Attendees check in during the opening of the ACS Rubber Division's International Elastomer Conference Tuesday at the I-X Center in Cleveland.

Joseph Walker, corporate director of Material Development and Chemical Regulatory Compliance, Americas, for Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies Inc., addresses attendees during his keynote speech Tuesday at the ACS Rubber Division's International Elastomers Conference at the I-X Center in Cleveland.

Leonard Thomas (center), chairman of the ACS Rubber Division, addresses the dignitaries at the ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday at the International Elastomer Conference at the I-X Center in Cleveland. The event continues through Thursday.

Leonard Thomas, ACS Rubber Division chairman and 2013 chairman of the International Elastomer Conference in Cleveland, cuts the ribbon to launch the three-day event.