Foam Expo Europe 2024 to Showcase Innovation in Foam Materials and...
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Foam Expo Europe 2024 to Showcase Innovation in Foam Materials and Product Design for the Circular Economy

Manufacturing Technology Insights | Tuesday, October 15, 2024

[Stuttgart, Germany] – Foam Expo Europe, the largest international trade fair and conference dedicated to the technical foam manufacturing supply chain, is set to return bigger and better than ever this winter.

Taking place 3 - 5 December 2024 at the Messe Stuttgart, this year’s event will bring together over 200 exhibitors and industry experts to spotlight the latest innovations and trends in foam materials, manufacturing and applications.

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In its 6th year, Foam Expo Europe is attended by thousands from across various sectors, including automotive, aerospace, packaging, construction, medical, furniture, sports and other consumer goods, and welcomes the entire value chain, from raw material providers and converters to manufacturers and leading end-user companies.

Supported by a comprehensive, three-day conference program, the trade fair provides a platform for product developers, engineers, manufacturing, supply chain and sourcing specialists to discover the latest materials and solutions, network with leading manufacturers and gain insights from top innovators.

Exhibitors to watch

With an impressive lineup of exhibitors, attendees can look forward to interactive displays and live demonstrations of the most advanced foam solutions across various industries. Key exhibitors include:

● JSP – showcasing its innovative foam solutions, focusing on lightweighting, sustainability, thermal and acoustic insulation and energy absorption.

● Zotefoams – Featuring high-performance foam products designed for aerospace, sports, and packaging industries, with a focus on material efficiency and recyclability.

● BÄUMER – Presenting advanced foam cutting technologies, including precise cutting machines, automation solutions, and digital tools designed to optimize foam processing.

These companies, alongside hundreds of other exhibitors, will demonstrate a variety of foam technologies, from flexible and rigid foams to elastomers and polymer blends, all designed to meet the needs of modern applications.

Conference highlights

The conference program at the Foam Expo will provide three days of deep insights into the latest trends, paradigm-shifting innovations, challenges and opportunities in foam technology. Conference sessions will address:

● Regulation Fatigue and Sustainability Goals – How to balance European competitiveness with environmental requirements and commitments, turning sustainability into a competitive advantage and driver of innovation.

● The European Packaging Recycling Infrastructure – How to keep expanded polystyrene (EPS) and expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam packaging out of general trash and landfills and get to a fully circular economy for packaging materials.

● Innovation in Car and Aircraft Seating – How car and aircraft seating manufacturers are transitioning to bio-based materials and modular, debondable designs for a circular economy.

● Finding Bio-Based Alternatives to PU Foams and Adhesives – The potential for a generational change of material from polyurethane (PU) to alternative bio-based, biodegradable and recyclable chemistries for various applications and industries.

● The Impact of Digitalisation and AI on Foam Manufacturing – How data, digital simulation and artificial intelligence (AI) can help optimise manufacturing processes and expand the use of foam in increasingly complex moulded parts. 

The conference will feature thought leaders and innovators in foam applications. Speakers will include:

● Roland Krämer, VP Group R&D & Innovation Excellence at NEVEON Holding – A polymer scientist who has led research and development at BASF and is currently focused on the transformation of NEVEON’s product portfolio towards materials with high performance and substantially improved sustainability footprint.

● Ilya Ivkin, Director of Strategic Procurement at Emma - The Sleep Company – An expert in research & development, strategic procurement and product & category management with over 15 years international experience at IKEA and currently Emma - The Sleep Company.

● Bart Haelterman, Vice President R&D & Sustainability EMEA/APAC at Carpenter Co – A long-time industry thought leader with a PhD in Chemical Science, active on several academic and industry boards, responsible for the R&D and sustainability activities at Carpenter Engineered Foams.

● Sumitra Rajagopalan, CEO at Bioastra Technologies – A materials inventor and biomedical engineer who has designed a bioelastomer platform to replace polyurethanes and rubbers in all their forms with applications in healthcare, industrial and consumer industries.

● Robert Pluska, Managing Director at JSP Advanced Solutions – A thought leader in digital transformation in the particle foam industry who developed and industrialised the first lightweight hybrid solution combining expanded polypropylene and injection moulded polypropylene for the BMW i8 door panel.

Why attend?

Foam Expo Europe 2024 is a must-attend event for engineers, manufacturers, suppliers, and decision-makers involved in foam products and applications. Whether you’re looking to discover the latest advancements, network with industry peers, or gain insight into the future of foam technology, this event offers unparalleled opportunities.

Foam Expo Europe 2024 will be co-located with Adhesives & Bonding Expo Europe and Thermal Management Expo Europe, offering attendees access to all three events with a single, free pass. This unique opportunity allows visitors to explore innovations in foam, adhesives, bonding, and thermal management technologies while attending shared sessions and expanding their network across complementary industries.

 

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