Metz and Volpato to deliver keynotes

Crain Communications, organisers of the UTECH Europe 2021 polyurethane event have announced full details of its comprehensive three-day conference taking place 16-18 November 2021 at the MECC, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Featuring over 80 detailed technical papers, the conference will cover the latest developments in the world of polyurethanes and reveal unique insights into the European and global market. Registration for the event is now open at: www.utecheurope.eu

Cannon Group’s CEO Marco Volpato will deliver one of the keynote addresses. The second keynote address will be delivered by Christopher Metz, vice president, isocyanates, PO & glycols EMEA at BASF. Metz is also president of ISOPA.

In his role as ISOPA president, Christopher Metz will give a welcome address from the trade association. Following him, Marco Volpato will present a paper entitled Polyurethane: where we came from and where we’re going. During close to 50 years’ experience as a leader in the sector, he has overseen Cannon’s growth to become a global supplier of machinery for polyurethane foam manufacture before expanding into machinery for plastics and composites manufacture and wider industrial automation.

Robert Peacock, Consultant, ICIS Consulting, will present a Review of current market and pricing developments in polyurethane chemicals. This is expected to be one of the conference’s most eagerly awaited papers. Other prominent speakers from across the European polyurethane industry include:

  • Oliver Geiger, Senior Manager Sustainability – Performance Materials Europe, BASF
  • Aurelie Perrenot, Global Head of Application and Development, Covestro Elastomers
  • Annelies Vandevelde, Technical Manager, Global Technology and Innovation group, Huntsman
  • Walther Ploos van Amstel, Professor in Citylogistics, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
  • Orcun Yucel, R&D Senior Specialist, Arcelik
  • Herbert De Breuck, Global Polyurethane Technical Lead, Milliken Europe
  • Gerry King, Head of Technical Services & Application Development – EMEA, LANXESS

The comprehensive three-day UTECH Europe 2021 conference programme will cover many areas of the polyurethanes industry including markets, sustainability, polyurethane recycling, the latest developments in polyurethane science, innovation, legislation and regulation, flexible foams, rigid foams, PU composites, and CASE (coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers) as well as lowering emissions and improved flame retardants.

Flexible foam innovations for the bedding and furniture industries feature prominently, with multiple papers being presented in this area. Papers covering important VOC and FOG topics in the automotive sector will feature in a dedicated Automotive session. Away from these areas, other notable papers include Design of PU foams for hydroponic horticulture, given by Angel Marcos-Fernandez, Researcher at Instituto de Polimeros (CSIC) and Nature-inspired impact absorbing polyurethanes, by Grazyna Mitchener, Director at Polychemtech.com

Early registration for the UTECH Europe three-day conference secures an ‘early bird’ discount with savings of more than €200 up until 3rd September: Full 3-day conference: €979 +VAT (normally: €1,235 +VAT); 2-day rate: €670 +VAT (normally €835 +VAT); 1-day: €399 + VAT (normally €555 +VAT). Should UTECH Europe 2021 be cancelled or postponed for any reason, all conference delegates will be issued with a full refund or will be able to carry their booking over to a rescheduled event.

Online pre-registration to attend UTECH Europe ensures free entry to the exhibition and avoids paying the standard €40 exhibition entry fee.

UTECH Europe is the only truly international exhibition and conference for the polyurethane industry. Unique to Europe is the sheer breadth of the applications of polyurethane technology from automotive interiors, medical devices, textiles, furniture and footwear through to insulation, adhesives and coatings.

UTECH Europe’s organisers are working closely with the MECC venue to ensure that the November event is fully compliant with all prevailing social distancing and hygiene measures and that all participants enjoy a COVID-safe and secure event.

To stay up-to-date with the latest information and details for UTECH Europe 2021, please visit the event website: www.utecheurope.eu

Video preview of UTECH Europe 2021: https://youtu.be/ILa1FYM27hU