Regarding the safe handling of diisocyanates in everyday work, the FSK, the Specialist Association Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes in Germany, has developed a training programme that supports and trains processors in the safe handling of this key raw material for our industry in accordance with the REACH regulation. In this issue of PU Magazine International we report on the progress and first promising results of the cross-border initiative of the industry association.

IAL Consultants announced the publication of fully updated editions of its regional directories of polyurethane systems houses in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), in the Americas, and in Asia-Pacific. The company said this complements its ongoing research into the global polyurethanes industry.

We look at mineral fillers, EPDM compounding, peroxide crosslinked silicone rubber, plastics recycling and sustainability.

Waiting is over. The much-awaited new book on thermoplastic elastomers, Thermoplastic Elastomers at a Glance, authored by Guenter Scholz (former BASF) and Manuela Gehringer (Allod Werkstoff) is out now.

In this issue, we look at tyre recycling and the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in R&D and production. We have an interview with Anish K. Taneja, who was appointed President of wdk, the German Rubber Industry Association in November 2020 and market reports from Composites Germany, EuPC and Amaplast Materials discussed in this issue are LSR for marine underwater cables, urea-resistant EPDM gaskets and hoses, and butyl rubber.

Enjoy reading our technical articles

What can you expect? Technical articles:Bob Eller: TPE opportunities in future smart auto interiorsAs in other industries, TPEs have penetrated auto interiors via drop-in replacement in existing applications (instrument panel skins, body/glazing seals, door trim, etc). Looking forward, non-TPE developments in the form of devices for sending and receiving electronic signals accompanied by a shift to electric vehicles (EVs) and (eventually) autonomous vehicles (AVs) will drive TPE usage and profitability in auto interiors well beyond drop-in replacement.

We look at the effects the pandemic year 2020 has had on the polyurethanes industry, its suppliers and customers and the conference and fair schedules.

We take a look at the development of electromobility in Germany, the German plastics and rubber machinery industry, the market for GRP and the results of the European Bioplastics’ annual market data update. Don’t miss out on our technical articles on the physical properties of a biomimetic synthetic rubber developed and the comparison of two highly efficient methods for sulfur curing.

The flexible foam polyurethane industry has been pummeled not only by Corona this year, but also by shortages of raw materials. We talked with some foam producers about their growing concerns and what they would like to see from raw material producers to reduce the risk of disruption.