Peter Huntsman of Huntsman Corporation to deliver keynote address

Sustainability takes right, left and centre stage when UTECH Europe, the world-leading polyurethanes exhibition and conference, returns to MECC, Maastricht, Netherlands from 23-25 April. The majority of the 80 detailed technical papers being presented in the conference focus directly on a range of sustainability themes.

Peter Huntsman Chairman, President and CEO of Huntsman Corporation has now been confirmed to deliver the opening keynote address entitled Europe's road to sustainability is dependent on a strong chemical industry.

“Sustainability has been a consistent theme at UTECH Europe over the last decade and more, but now it is the overriding theme of the conference and exhibition,” says Matthew Barber, Global Events Director at UTECH Europe organiser, Crain Communications. “With over 200 exhibitors from across Europe and around the world, the show will be packed with the latest innovations in sustainable manufacture and applications of polyurethanes.”

As one of the most effective thermal insulation materials, polyurethane offers huge unrealised potential to reduce the energy used to heat and cool buildings. Previously seen as harder to recycle than some other polymer-based materials, more and more commercially viable innovations are emerging for the mechanical and chemical recycling of polyurethanes. With rising CO₂ emissions being the fundamental driver of global warming, many companies are using CO₂ to produce new raw materials for polyurethane. Bio-based polyols derived from natural raw materials including soya beans, caster beans and cashew nuts are becoming increasing available as an alternative to fossil fuel derived polyols. In the automotive sector, innovative polyurethane materials are helping manufacturers to enhance vehicle sustainability and playing a key role in EV battery development. All these innovations and more can be discovered at the UTECH Europe exhibition and conference.

The winners of the UTECH Europe Awards 2024 will also be presented on the first day of the event with no less than nine different companies shortlisted in the new Sustainability Initiative category including Covestro, Dow, Econic Technologies, essencia Polymatters, Kimpur, PLIXXENT, Polylabs, SIMALFA and the Vita Group.

Sustainability highlights from the UTECH Europe conference include:

Circular economy and climate neutrality – from vision to implementation, the conference’s second keynote given by Hermann-Josef Dörholt, Head of Performance Materials at Covestro.

Improving the thermal insulation and mechanical properties of PU foams by infusing aerogels: from insulation to superinsulation by Cristina Saiz-Arroyo, Manager New Products and R&D at CellMat Technologies.

Redeeming CO2: the future of sustainable polyols by Richard Stevenso, Senior Scientist - Polyol & Application at Econic Technologies.

Sustainable mattress recycling – now! ... but how? By Julien Heusser, CTO at SIMALFA / ALFA Klebstoffe.

New polyols utilising rigid PUR foam waste and PET by Marco Farina, R&D Chemist at Elachem

More sustainable polyurethane foam materials developed for automotive acoustic applications by Mark Brennan, Senior Research Manager at Huntsman Polyurethanes.

Polyurethane foams for battery electric vehicles: recent developments within Covestro produce and application portfolio by Ivo Erler, Marketing and OEM Management Automotive at Covestro Deutschland AG

Polyurethane additive solutions for EV batteries by Michael Klostermann, Technical Manager Advance Polyurethanes at Evonik Operations GmbH - Specialty Additives

Challenges and prospects in biomass-derived green polyol production by Sibele Augusta Ferreira Leite of the Federal University of Vicosa.

Rigid polyurethane foams synthesized from soy-based polyols; the effect of formulation parameters on the specific mechanical properties by Leonel Chiacchiarelli, Researcher, CONICET, Argentina and Professor, ITBA University.

Driving transformation of the PU insulation industry to a sustainable future through industrial scale rigid foam recycling plants by Mila Skokova, Sales & Product Manager - Deputy Managing Director, H&S Anlagentechnik

UTECH Europe exhibition is the only truly international exhibition and conference for the polyurethane industry. Unique to Europe is the sheer breadth of the applications of polyurethane technology from automotive interiors, medical devices, textiles, furniture and footwear through to insulation, adhesives and coatings.

Registration for the UTECH Europe three-day conference is still open, priced as follows: Full 3-day conference: €1,420+VAT; 2-day rate: €960 +VAT; 1-day: €640 +VAT. Admittance to the UTECH Europe exhibition only costs €50+VAT.

For the first time UTECH Europe will be co-located at MECC with the inaugural edition of Sleep Expo Europe, the region’s only dedicated event for the sleep and mattress industry. Sleep Expo Europe is organised by Media Fusion LLC and Crain Communications, and encompasses the full spectrum of technology and well-being, spanning Sleep Tech and Sleep Care. For more information visit: https://www.sleepexpoeu.com/

For more information and to register to attend UTECH Europe 2024, visit: www.utecheurope.eu

UTECH Events Calendar

UTECH Europe, MECC, Maastricht, 23-25 April 2024 https://www.utecheurope.eu/
PU China, Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre, 17-19 July 2024 https://www.puchina.eu
UTECH Middle East Foam and Polyurethane Expo, Dubai World Trade Centre, 10-12 September 2024 https://www.mefpu.com/
UTECH Southeast Asia, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 13-14 November 2024 www.utechseasia.com
UTECH India – Sustainable Polyurethane & Foam Expo, NESCO, Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, 4-6 December 2024 https://ifpuexpo.com/
UTECH Las Americas, Centro Citibanamex, Mexico City, 3-5 June 2025 https://www.utechlasamericas.com/