Conference looks at compounding.

"Rubber compounding for improvements in health, safety and the environment," is the subject of a European conference to be held September 26 at the Tun Abdul Razak Research Center in Hertford, U.K.

This conference is being held to disseminate and discuss the findings of a four-year thematic network project funded by the European Community titled "Rubber compounding for improvements in health, safety and the environment."

The network involves a partnership of 14 industrial companies and four research organizations from eight EU member states. The industrial partners represent material suppliers and product manufacturers making rubber articles in different sectors, such as automotive, chemical, construction, food and water, healthcare, materials processing and railways. Partners are active in the work of national rubber manufacturers associations and in product standardization at the national, European and international level.

Safety, health and the environment are said to be at the forefront of the European rubber industry, with the protection and well-being of the employee and consumer being of paramount importance. This is said to be an ongoing process, with the industry needing to respond quickly and effectively to developments in legislation, specifications and consumer demands, according to the sponsor.

The project partners identified a number of specific and general aims where exchange of information, a pooling of ideas and further improvements would be beneficial for the partners, the industry at large and the consumer These aims included identification and evaluation of safe chemical ingredients for compounding existing rubber types, formulation of nitrosamine-safe rubber compounds, reduction of airborne pollution and odor in both rubber manufacturing and in products in service, and consideration of ways to reduce waste and improve its disposal or recovery.

Other areas covered will include formulating rubber compounds resistant to microbial growth and biodeterioration in potable water, finding low toxicity rubber process oils, mold fouling and reviewing the latex protein allergy situation.

The network findings will be presented and discussed at the conference. The day's program will include an opportunity to visit the Tun Abdul Razak Research Center. Further information is available from Gail Reader, tel.: [phone].