News Release

Green Technologies, Improved Coatings, Adhesives and Sealants to be Presented at Global Polyurethanes Conference

Three CASE Sessions Scheduled

ARLINGTON, VA (May 5, 2008) – Global producers of polyurethane-based coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers will find a rich variety of technical presentations reporting on important new environmental technologies, novel chemistries and improved materials performance at the Polyurethanes 2008 Technical Conference, sponsored by the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council. This year’s Conference will include more than 100 technical papers and poster presentations, educational seminars, the Annual Innovation Awards, and a Polyurethane Professional Development Program. The Conference will be held September 29 through October 1 at the Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio, Texas and is the world’s premier polyurethane annual technical conference.

“Because polyurethane-based coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers are invaluable in so many applications worldwide, three separate technical sessions are needed to cover new advances relating to sustainability, overall performance and new applications,” says Neeva-Gayle Candelori, Director of CPI. “Polyurethanes 2008 Technical Conference is an exciting arena for making contacts and keeping up to date with important trends and developments.”

The Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, Elastomers (CASE) Chemistry technical session will explore novel chemistries for improving sustainability and overall performance of polyurethane materials in CASE applications. Representatives from Shepherd Chemical will report on the use of bismuth as a polyurethane catalyst, while scientists from INRC Polymate will discuss their development of hybrid nonisocyanate polyurethane (HNIPU) material with lower permeability, increased chemical resistance and a material synthesis that exhibits superior environmental characteristics. Representatives from Nippon Polyurethane will present the company’s progress in developing high-performance polyurethane dispersions for sustainable water-based coatings.

The CASE One session will focus on processing innovations and material performance, starting with a paper from KraussMaffei on high-pressure processing for CASE applications that result in increased productivity and improved ergonomics, as well as exhibiting desirable environmental attributes. Three new products/applications will be introduced: polyurethane foam reactive tape with NCO prepolymers that reduce costs while providing better moldability, three dimensional elasticity, resin adhesion, and smoother edges of cured tapes,for adhesive and casting applications by Troy Polymers; the adhesion of spray polyurethane elastomers to aluminum substrates for various industrial and OEM applications by Willamette Valley Company; and the development of polyurethane-based composite utility poles designed to last 80 years by RS Technologies.

The CASE Two session will focus on new material advances based on analytical and morphological studies. Scientists from Chonbuk National University, Jeollabukdo, South Korea, will report on their work with energy-saving dispersible polyurethane powders for sustainable waterborne polyurethane systems in CASE applications. A joint team from Beijing Research Institute and Yantai Wanhua Polyurethanes will report on their studies into the morphology and mechanical properties of spray polyurea elastomers. Koile & Associates will discuss their investigation into three titrimetric technologies for characterizing polyols in terms of hydoxyl number/molecular weight, the acid/base balance, and moisture content. 

The Polyurethanes 2008 Technical Conference will spotlight 19 technical sessions in all, with many additional poster presentations on breakthrough technologies, developing markets and product innovations. The 2008 Conference also will feature the Annual Innovation Awards for materials, processes and finished products, as well as the always popular Polyurethane Professional Development Program – eight seminars ranging from introductory courses to advanced topics. CPI anticipates that the Conference will attract more than 1,200 people from 40 countries. For more information about CPI and the Polyurethanes 2008 Technical Conference, contact CPI at (703) 741-5103, or visit the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry for entry forms or more information.

www.polyurethane.org
The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council represents U.S. producers or distributors of chemicals and equipment used to make polyurethane or are manufacturers of polyurethane products CPI promotes the sustainable growth of the polyurethane industry, by identifying and managing issues that could impact the industry, in cooperation with user groups.The polyurethane industry is essential to economic growth. The business of polyurethane is a $50 billion enterprise. It employs more than 225,000 Americans and helps create nearly 5 jobs for each job in the polyurethane industry. The polyurethane industry operates in more than 650 locations in the U.S.