Attendees at the conference were treated to presentations from PMT-Jetmill, Manchester Metropolitan University, Rhein Chemie Rheinau, Austrian Research Centre, Queens University Belfast, Polytechnic of Torino, Universiti Sans and Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial management.

Day one was opened by Roger Rothon from Rothon Consultants who gave a difficult paper on market forecasts that was a point of debate throughout the event. Day two was opened with a keynote presentation from Kevin Breeze from Electrolux Major Appliances Europe, who gave a popular keynote presentation investigating holistic costs savings through a performance/component cost evaluation.

Other subject areas covered over the two days included improving filler processing, additives to provide a viable alternative to plastic separation, nanofillers and their effects, natural fibres and flame retardant fillers.  Therefore it is clear how much information delegates at the conference would be able to take back to their organisations.

Delegates discovered that above and beyond listening to these papers, the benefit only available at an international conference of being able to meet, talk to and debate with presenters and like-minded delegates in a friendly environment. Roger Rothon (Rothon Consultants) said “this is not a time for reducing one’s marketing and exposure, iSmithers’ conferences are a fantastic opportunity for companies to show that they are ready to take every business opportunity available in 2009 and this was evident at High Performance Fillers for Polymer Composites”.

High Performance Fillers for Polymer Composites 2009 illustrated the continued need for regular international events facilitating the sharing of information and experiences. This bi-annual conference will look forward to its next event, which will hopefully build on the experiences of its 2009 delegates that showed that irrelevant of economic conditions, meeting and networking with key players in your industry is a must.