The specialist exhibitions and conferences organiser Smarter Shows announced that Foam Expo Europe 2019 – the region’s only free-to-attend trade show and conference uniting the entire foam supply chain – has disclosed its full conference agenda, packed with exciting sessions, essential information and a stellar line-up of speakers. Taking place 10 – 12 September 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany, the conference covers key industry topics, market trends and regulatory updates, and highlights R+D and innovation in foam materials, technologies and properties.

Running alongside the trade fair, the conference marks a unique opportunity to hear from those driving major developments across the industry and disrupting end-markets from automotive, aerospace and construction to packaging, medical and sports & leisure, said the organiser.

Speakers for 2019 include subject experts from BMW Group, The Dow Chemical Company, Recticel, Velux, FACC Operations and Huntsman. They’ll be tackling a diverse agenda, with sessions on everything from understanding global trends in the polymeric foam market and the business case for digitising manufacturing lines, to material requirements and opportunities for foams in vehicle electrification and how to implement the European Union’s circular economy package.

Recycling, sustainability and end of life are prominent topics, with panel discussions and round-tables debating:

• How to put circular economy legislation into action;

• How to overcome the key obstacles of recycling in the foam industry;

• The challenges in commercialising bio-based materials and green chemistries; and

• What the industry should expect from the EU and national governments in the years ahead.

The opening keynote dives into global trends in the polymeric foam market, with Europur’spresident Bart ten Brink exploring market trends and discussing where new markets are opening up, how to stay cost-competitive and the likely effect of Brexit on the industry.

Smarter Shows said the conference is tailored to educate, inform and help delegates grow their business. Networking lunches ensure ample opportunity to forge new business connections – and strengthen existing ones.

Previous years have seen the event receive a very positive response. Following last year’s conference, Jaguar and Land Rover’s Frederic Sicard praised the “industry-focused conferences, which can be upon your choice technical, market or application-centric”, while application engineering manager José V. Fernández Morales from Trocellen Ibérica said that the exhibition was “complemented by interesting technical conferences”.

New for 2019

Building on this success, the 2019 edition of Foam Expo Europe welcomes a brand-new element: 360 Sessions – a dynamic programme of round-table discussions, workshops and material jam sessions. Designed to enable focused peer-to-peer discussions, the sessions cover topics ranging from eliminating hazardous chemicals to re-imagining foams and the new processing methods they require. Thought-leaders from across the industry are billed to moderate the sessions.

Visit the event website to view the full list of participating companies and speakers and for timings of the sessions.