Seminars and workshop at Plast 06

Rapra is organising polymer seminars at the Plast 06 show in Milan.

Rapra is organising polymer seminars at the Plast 06 show in Milan.

By registering early, delegates can save 10% and a further 10% per person by booking more than two delegates.

The first seminar is on nanocomposites, key new materials in polymer technology.

In very small quantities they can deliver big changes in polymer properties such as flame retardancy and permeability.

However, they are relatively expensive and processing can be an issue.

This seminar will discuss the different types of nanoparticle available, the benefits and issues surrounding their use.

It takes place on Wednesday 15 February from 11.00 to 13.00 in Italian and will be given by Daniela Tabuani.

The cost per delegate is 100 euros.

The second seminar looks at why fillers are no longer used just to reduce costs and bulk out plastics.

Fillers can offer other functions such as flame retardancy, conductivity and controlled permeability.

Roger Rothon will deliver the seminar and will cover the background to choosing fillers and filler modifiers, the markets for them and the latest trends.

It takes place on Wednesday 15 February, 14.30 to 17.45 and costs 150 euros.

A workshop will look at how thermoplastic elastomers are melt processable rubbery materials.

They are growing rapidly in importance due to their properties, design freedom and improved economics.

Growth is particularly strong in automotive and medical applications.

This workshop, run by Barry Statham, will explain the basic structure and properties, review the main types in use, consider design and processing, and look at the latest and future developments.

It takes place on Thursday 16 February, 11.00 to 17.45 and costs 250 euros.

Another seminar will look at how plastics are used in many different types of medical application from blood bags to syringes, and from hip joints to microscopic heart implants.

These different applications place many demands on each device type.

The body is a hostile environment for many materials and plastics material selection for medical devices is critical.

There are also many regulations which affect the medical device industry.

Quality control, cleanroom conditions and attention to material sourcing are critical.

This seminar brings together four expert speakers on materials, additives and processing issues for medical device manufacturers.

It will be on Friday 17 February, 11.00 to 13.00, and costs 50 euros.

The final seminar will give advice to manufacturers concerned about protecting the environment.

This can be done in many ways including reducing material and energy consumption, eliminating pollution and recycling waste.

The EU has produced a package of environmental legislation, which is focused on waste reduction, recycling, producer responsibility and prevention of pollution, and affects the polymer industry.

Phillip Charlesworth will guide processors to an understanding of the new EU laws and John Colwell from the EU project on Reduced Energy Consumption in Plastics Engineering will give practical advice on how to reduce energy consumption, which cuts costs as well as favouring the environment.

There will be free guides available on cutting energy use, compiled from the best examples in Europe.

Friday 17th February, 14.30 to 17.45, cost 50 euros.

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