CHARLOTTE, NC – The UTECH North America two-day conference and exhibition is taking place June 4-5, 2014, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC. Featuring 46 technical papers delivered in a total of eight sessions, the conference will cover the latest developments in the world of polyurethanes and reveal unique insights into the recovering North American polyurethanes market.
Among the highlights in the program is a session focusing on sustainability issues. Delegates will also benefit from updates on all the key issues facing the polyurethanes industry as well as the chance to network with the world's leading practitioners.
Mark Bassett, Global Vice President, Polyurethanes at The Dow Chemical Co. will deliver the conference’s opening keynote with a paper entitled “A World of Change, A World of Opportunity.” Looking at shifting markets, energy dynamics, technology innovation, chemicals regulation and sustainability trends, he will give delegates a practical view of how the forces and economics of the polyurethane industry create opportunity for its value chains to grow and prosper.
The first day’s program continues with over a dozen papers covering innovations in coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers (CASE). In the afternoon, the focus switches to sustainability issues. Parallel sessions will also look at flexible foam developments and polyurethane innovations for the automotive sector. The sustainability session starts with a roundtable discussion featuring proponents of alternative raw material technologies. It continues with papers detailing the latest advances in using materials as diverse as palm oils and cashew nuts, as well as presentations on the benefits of other renewably resourced materials in several specific applications.
The second day of the conference features more than a dozen papers on rigid foam, including the latest blowing agent advances and detailed technical innovations in the manufacture of rigid foams including spray foams, appliance insulation and building products. The conference concludes with a science session looking at some of the more detailed research activities of scientists from around the world.
The independent UTECH North America event will connect suppliers and buyers from across the polyurethane industry for two days of networking, learning and identifying new business opportunities. Among the 80-plus international companies with booths at the accompanying exhibition are The Dow Chemical Co., Wanhua of China, Cannon, Hennecke Inc., DuPont & Tate & Lyle, Evonik, Lanxess, Repi LLC and Honeywell.
For more information, visit www.utech-north-america.com.
