Paper calls.

Intertech. Papers are solicited for Intertech's annual international business development conference, Functional Fillers for Plastics 2005, to be held September 19-21 at the Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

This year's international conference will bring together both users and producers of reinforcing fillers for thermoplastics, as well as thermosets, to focus on the new opportunities emerging for increased use of functional fillers in polymer systems. Calcium carbonate, silica, kaolin, talc, ATH, wollastonite, nanocomposites, natural fibers and other materials will he discussed.

Users will learn about new fillers and new filler grades, and also new techniques for maximizing benefits from each material. Producers will hear about market opportunities, as well as learn new ways to modify, classify, micronize and add value to their products.

Other sessions will address surface treatments, compounding and blending. Participants are said to obtain a complete picture of the functional filler market, and will have the opportunity to discuss key issues with speakers and fellow attendees from around the world.

Speaker recruitment for the conference is now underway. To submit a topic for consideration, contact Scott Stephenson [phone].

Polymer Process Communications.

The Advances in Blown Film Conference, sponsored by Polymer Process Communications and Plastics Technology magazine, will take place December 7-8 at the Marriott Biscayne Bay in Miami, FL.

Information will be provided on how to manufacture a better film product with increased line speeds at a reduced cost. Topics will include extrusion/die/ auxiliary equipment/downstream developments, controls/gauging, material advances, printing/surface treatments, plant management and updates on emerging markets, i.e., medical/pharmaceutical.

To submit an abstract for a technical paper/presentation, contact Jim Callari [phone].

Rapra Technology Ltd. The Fourth International Conference on Natural and Synthetic Rubber Latex will be held in Frankfurt, Germany, January 24-25, 2006.

Latex is used in fields as diverse as gloves, condoms, adhesives, building and construction products, inks, drug delivery systems, paper coatings, textile treatment, leather finishing, polishes, films, paints, medical assay kits, carpet backing and cosmetics, according to the sponsor. It is also used to alter properties of other materials. Latex is said to be currently undergoing extensive research and development as a replacement for many solvent-based systems.

This conference aims to bring together researchers, manufacturers and technologists in industry and academia, with a common interest in latex applications and technology. The conference scope includes both synthetic and natural rubber latex materials and additives, as well as developments in manufacturing applications/markets.

Papers are invited on developments in latex materials and properties; additives; applications; processing; issues; standards and regulations; and market trends.

Further information on this latex technology and research conference is available from Dr. Sally Humphreys, tel.: [phone]; fax: [phone].

Rapra Technology Ltd. The Fifth International Conference on Rubber Bonding will be held at the Holiday Inn in Dusseldorf, Germany, February 21-22, 2006.

This conference on rubber bonding aims to bring together manufacturers, rubber technologists, and adhesives and adhesion specialists to debate the hot topics in rubber bonding. This is said to be an excellent opportunity to network with experts in this field and discuss the latest developments, according to Rapra.

The aim of any manufacturer is said to be the establishment of the best possible bonds between rubbers and substrates, and to achieve the best service life from the products manufactured. The emphasis of this conference is on the applied technology of rubber bonding.

No single method or adhesive can provide the required level of adhesion to all elastomers, or even to one elastomer in different applications, according to the sponsor. Factors to be considered are said to include the rubber type and compounding system, the application of the bonded assembly, the environment, the substrate, the molding method, the geometry of the part, color and means of application.

Papers are invited on all aspects of rubber bonding, from substrate preparation to long-term bond durability, and methods of bonding rubber to metal, fabric, plastics and rubbers.

Further information on this rubber bonding conference is available from Dr. Sally Humphreys, tel.: [phone]; fax: [phone].