Smithers Rapra, a subsidiary of U.S.-based independent testing, research and consulting organization, The Smithers Group, is inviting speakers for its eleventh Blowing Agents and Foaming Processes Conference in Hamburg on 19-20 May 2009.

In an economic climate of increasing energy prices, introducing blowing agents into plastics can be a cost effective way of reducing your material usage and limiting shipping costs by minimising product weight. Over recent years strict energy regulations in many European countries have boosted the use of polymer foams in building and construction. This is a trend that is being replicated across the automotive and aerospace industries in a quest for greater fuel efficiency and passenger safety. Such factors perhaps go some way to explainingwhy this Smithers Rapra’s conference regularly attracts over 100 attendees from all parts of the plastics supply chain and has become a firmly established event in the calendar of those involved in the formulation and application of blowing agents as well as techniques to produce expanded or foamed polymer substrates.

Smithers Rapra is recruiting papers for the 2009 conference that will give an overview on the newest findings and market trends of the industry, as well as more specific papers on topics including; energy saving, optimising cell structure through nano technology and controlling gases. The conference provides an opportunity and platform to present your research and product or process developments in this area to an influential and informed audience.

For more information, please visit www.polymerconferences.com. To submit a paper, please email Gemma Robinson grobinson@rapra.net with a title and abstract by 7th November 2008.