This first ever technical conference for the polyurethanes industry in South America combines a unique overview of the industry in that region with the latest technological developments worldwide. More than 40 papers were presented, from speakers based in South America, the United States and Europe. All papers are published in English only.

The theme of the conference was Progress through Technology, and the technical papers describe new materials, new machinery and new demands. The full 3-day programme comprises the following sessions:

Plenary Session - reviewing the PU business in South AmericaHealth Safety and Environment Session - addressing the key issues in a South American context

Technical Update 1 - flexible block foam developments

Technical Update 2 - automotive-related developments

Technical Update 3 - rigid foams

Technical Update 4 - footware and CASE applications (coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers).

List of Papers

DAY 1, 28 AUGUST 2001

Keynote Presentation: Antonio Martelli, Brazil

Plenary Session

Paper 1: Overview of the PU Business in South America
Alberto Bell, IAL Consultants, UK
Paper unavailable at time of print

 

Paper 2: Raw Material Supply - Current Present Situation and Future Prospects
Eduardo Simoniello, Dow Quimica S.A., Brazil

 

Paper 3: Multi-Cultural Aspects of Doing Business Internationally
Douglas Commette, Gusmer Corporation, USA

Health, Safety & Environment Session

Paper 1: Product Stewardship Program - Environment, Health and Safety
Weber D. Felippe, Dow Quimica S.A., Brazil

 

Paper 2: Environmental Regulations in Latin America - Example Brazil
Bert Veenendaal, Rappa Inc., USA

Flexible block foam developments

Paper 1: New Surfactants for Flexible Slab
Gary D. Andrew, Donald H. Ridgway and Mark L. Listemann, Air Products and Chemicals Inc., USA

 

Paper 2: New Additives for Improved Properties and Processing
Clovis Nogueira de Holanda and Lee F. Lawler Witco do Brasil Lid, Crompton Corporation and OSI Specialties, Crompton Corporation USA

 

Paper 3: Solutions for an Environmentally Friendly Future - Additives for the Flexible Foam Industry
Hans H. Schlns, Goldschmidt AG, Germany

 

Paper 4: Polymer Polyols: Polyolether Matrix Effect on Foam Performance
Laurent Brami, Antonio Sierra and Cristina Martinez, Repsol YPF. TS & D Intermediates, Spain

 

Paper 5: Flexible Slab Foams Based on Dow Polyols and Flex Uniblock A - Variable Pressure Machine
Alvaro Pauprio and Rodrigo Santiago, Dow Quimica S.A., Brazil

 

Paper 6: Polyurethane Flexible Foam: Continuous Innovation as Key to Success
Ralf Busch, Klaus Steinborn, Richard Skorpenske, Fernando D Andrea and Fabio Quintas, Bayer AG, Germany, Bayer Corporation USA, Bayer do Brasil, Brazil

 

Paper 7: Novel Polyols Offer a Versatile Tool for Foam Hardness Control
Jurgen Maebe, Galle Chevalier Steve Chin and Sonia Ellero, Shell Research and Technology Centre, Belgium

 

Paper 8: Flexible Slabstock Production: State-of-the-art Technology and New Developments to Meet the Global Challenge
Volke Brninghaus, Hennecke GmbH, Germany

 

Paper 9: Recent Advances in the Three-dimensional Contour Cutting of Flexible and Rigid Polyurethanes
Kevin Ryan, Wintech International Ply. Ltd., Australia

DAY 2, 29 AUGUST 2001

Automotive-related developments

Paper 1: Release Agent - The Most Unpopular But Indispensable Material in the Moulded PUR Industry
Wilfried Thies, ACMOS Chemie, Germany

 

Paper 2: An Innovative Solution to Fully Automate the Manufacture of Automotive Sound Deadening Parts: "Foam & Film" Technology
Max Taverna, Cannon Group, Italy

 

Paper 3: Foam Cushion Hardness Response to Changing Environmental Test Conditions
G. Ron Blair, C Rochini, A. Russ and D. Robertson, Woodbridge Corp., Canada

 

Paper 4: Innovative Open-cell Polyurethane Rigid Foams for Head Liners with Improved Performance
Werner Rasshofer and Adercio Savignani, Bayer AG, Germany and Hennecke GmbH, Germany
(Paper unavailable at time of print)

 

Paper 5: Industrial Developments in Co-Injection/Long-Fibre Technology
Max Taverna and Alberto Zarantonello, Cannon Group, Italy and Cannon Afros, Italy

 

Paper 6: Mass Production Requires New Manufacturing Technologies and Shorter Cycle Times
Gero Willmeroth, Hennecke GmbH, Germany

Rigid Foams Session: Developments and opportunities in building & construction

Paper 1: HCFC and HFC Blowing Agents for PU High Performance Insulation Foams
Lothar Zipfel, Solvay Fluor und Derivate GmbH, Germany

 

Paper 2: New Spray Systems with Improved Fire Resistance
P.M. Escobar, J.M. Mons, J. Santamaria,