Blowing agents and foaming processes in focus

Rapra Technology is organising its ninth international conference on Blowing Agents and Foaming Processes in Frankfurt on 22nd and 23rd May 2007.

The worldwide polymer foams market has seen enormous growth in recent years, a trend borne out by the filing of record numbers of patent applications for products or processes.

However as the price of crude oil and its derivatives continues to soar, manufacturers of organic chemicals and polymer foam suppliers will need to work hard to deflect growing costs.

Steering the public perception of polymer foams - and blowing agents in particular - away from "harmful" and "environmentally destructive" may not be easy but the ability to produce environmentally friendly foams could be the difference between surviving and thriving in this market.

Environmentally friendly foams come at a high cost and intensive research and development is needed over the coming years to get the process economics right.

If the industry cracks this, it will undoubtedly reap the rewards.

Just one example being the strict energy regulations in most European countries that have boosted the use of polymer foams in building and construction.

This is a trend likely to be replicated across the automotive and aerospace industries in a quest for greater weight reduction and passenger safety.

So the message is clear: innovate or evaporate.

With this in mind, Rapra Technology is organising its ninth international conference on Blowing Agents and Foaming Processes in Frankfurt on 22nd and 23rd May 2007.

Papers are currently invited from all relevant industries involved in the formulation and application of blowing agents and techniques to produce expanded or foamed polymer substrates.

This conference provides an opportunity and a platform to present your research, product or process developments in this area to an influential and informed audience.

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