Auto innovations to feature at Nashville polyurethanes conference

Hosted by the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council (Washington, DC), this year's conference will take place September 26-28 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN. "Polyurethane use in transportation has been increasing for more than a decade. Our industry is constantly innovating to help improve the many automotive applications of polyurethane, including lightweight parts that decrease auto weight and help increase  fuel economy for cars and vehicles," says Lee Salamone, senior director of CPI.

Featuring more than 60 technical presentations, the Polyurethanes 2011 Technical Conference will provide both automotive and polyurethane industry leaders and professionals with an opportunity to hear about the latest technical innovations and issues affecting the global polyurethanes industry. This year's conference agenda features a technical session with four papers on automotive-related topics, ranging from advancements in flexible molded foams to improvements in paint protection films. The session also includes updates from members of the Molded Foam Industry Panel, a group of industry experts working to evolve automotive seating specifications.

Researchers from BASF (Leverkusen, Germany) will begin the session with a discussion of new antioxidant systems that offer lower volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for flexible molded foam. Scientists from Huntsman International will examine cross-linked thermoplastic polyurethane as an automotive paint protection film.

Researchers from BASF, Dow Chemical (Midland, MI), Huntsman International (Salt Lake City, UT) and The Woodbridge Group (Mississauga, ON), who are members of the Molded Foam Industry Panel, will  present an investigation of odor test methods for molded foam. Another Molded Foam Industry Panel member will conclude the session with a discussion on the validity of polyurethane hysteresis loss as a viable prediction of long-term performance of automotive seating.

CPI will also offer its popular Polyurethane Professional Development Program at the conference, with course topics ranging from introductory polyurethane chemistry and technology to physical testing and raw materials. In addition, CPI will present its annual Innovation Award and host tabletop exhibitions where companies can showcase their products.-[email protected]