TPE TopCon 2007 conference held.

TPE TopCon 2007, the 8th Annual Thermoplastic Elastomer Topical Conference, will be held at the Hilton Inn in Akron, OH, September 17-19. This conference is a joint effort of the Society of Plastics Engineers Topical Group on TPEs and the SPE's Akron Section.

Session 1 on marketing will include the following technical presentations: "Markets in Europe and North America," Bob Eller, Bob Eller Associates; "Development of specialty TPEs in China," Roger Young, Bob Eller Associates; "Thermoplastic elastomers: Asia Pacific impacting the global value chain," Howard Blum, Klein Group; "Demand shifts and new technology impacts on TPE global markets and technologies," Balaji Singh, Chemical Marketing Resources; and "Nomenclature, classification and typical properties of thermoplastic elastomers," David Goldwasser, Nike.

Session 2 on new materials will include the following presentations: "Infuse olefin block copolymers for soft compound applications," Mahalia Soediono, Dow; "A high performance TPE designed to meet the demands of tomorrow," Sean Arsenault, Arkema; "Injection molding and new applications of DuPont ETPV," Dan Saunders, DuPont; "Applications and future of new aliphatic and aromatic TPU," Mahmoud Ghanem, BASF; "Mechanical properties and chemical resistance of new phthalate-free soft grade TPU," Limei Lu, BASF; "Specialty polyolefin elastomer and its blend with polypropylene resin," C.Y. Cheng, Exxon; "Novel ethylene/ alpha-olefin copolymer--polypropylene blends for extruded profiles," Laura Weaver, Dow; "Siloxane enhanced elastomers," Gifford Shearer, Multibase; "Performance characteristics of a novel isobutylene-based TPV," David Marshall and Hideki Kawai, Kaneka; "New Kraton polymer for improved overmold adhesion," Kathryn J. Wright, Kraton Polymers," and "Ionomer sheet lamination with TPE/TPV coextrusion: Emerging technology for body color roof, glass run channel and belt sealing," Tom Egan, Schul.

Session 3 on additives will include the following technical presentations: "Mullins effect requires new FEA material models," Ward Narhi, AES; "Innovative Kraton additive for high flow and high melt strength TPEs," Jeff Southwick, Kraton Polymers; "Next generation polymeric surface modification additives," Bill Blasius, Clariant; and "Improved impact properties of TPO/ TPE systems containing scratch and mar additives; effect of the resin composition on the efficacy of the additives," Nikolas Kaprinidis, Ciba Geigy.

Session 4 on applications will include the following technical presentations: "Bonding materials in automotive weatherseals: Novel approach with thermoplastic vulcanizates," Justin Crafton, AES; "Processing of oil-extended rubber for soft TPE and TPV formulations," Martin Mack, Berstorff; "Understanding TPE gas fading in automotive interior applications," Reza Sadeghi, Schulman; "A fast-processing, soft, plasticizer-free TPU: Properties and processing characteristics," Brucy Lawrey, Bayer; "TPE product innovations designed to create new profit opportunities for users," Sachin Sakhalkar, Teknor Apex; "New advances in materials for thermoplastic weather sealing systems," Charles Reid, Solvay; "Morphology development of (sub-micrometer) thermoplastic vulcanizates," Martin Van Duin, DSM; "How TPV outperforms EPDM in acoustic properties for automotive sealing," Jim Browell, Jyco Sealing Technologies; and "Engineering thermoplastic elastomers containing radiopaque fillers for medical device applications," Lawrence Johnson, Foster.

Tabletop exhibitors will display their products during this conference. Registration fees range from $65 to $520. Further information is available from Vivian Malpass [phone]; email: [e-mail].