UV/EB Now: Building a New World
'These are exciting times for the energy curing industry', says David Helsby, President of RadTech Europe -- the industry's long-established association which continues to be a trailblazer in the promotion of UV and EB curing. This year, in response to the unprecedented interest and growth these technologies are experiencing in an ever-wider arena of applications, RadTech Europe is convening its two-yearly Conference and Exhibition in a new format, and at a new location.
The RadTech Europe Conference and Exhibition 2015 will take place at the Clarion Congress Hotel, Prague, 13-15 October 2015. The three-day event is expected to attract around 400 delegates, representing every part of the energy-curing supply chain -- from chemistry, materials, and equipment suppliers - as well as participants from the many end-use industries which are today exploring, and expanding the use of these dynamic technologies.
Together, the conference and exhibition deliver an ideal, high-energy opportunity for learning about current product innovations and applications, networking, and gaining valuable insights into potential future pathways for the industry.
Plenary conference session
The formal agenda opens with a plenary session chaired by Dawn Skinner of Heraeus Noblelight Fusion UV, featuring the conference keynote and in-depth overviews of the UV and EB markets in Europe, USA, and Asia. It will also feature the presentation of the Advanced Development Award for the application for UV/EB technology deemed by the RadTech Europe Marketing Committeeto be the most innovative and outstanding; as well as the presentation of the prestigious Paul Dufour Award - named after one of the founding fathers of RadTech Europe -- for the best conference paper.
Parallel specialist sessions
Taking account the diverse nature of technology usage, the conference programme then offers delegates a choice of intensive parallel sessions, each of which will offer a number of cutting-edge expert papers, addressing advances in photochemistry and photopolymerisation; developments in coatings and formulations; innovation in chemistry and materials; advances in UV/EB equipment and process control; developments in printing technology; HSE and the safe use of UV/EB curing; advances in UV LED technology; 3D printing; and innovation in applications. Indeed, this year's programme strongly focuses on new end uses, answering questions regarding the practical use of radiation curing in industries as diverse as 3D printing, packaging, electronics, and automotive.In all, the conference programme features some 50 papers from specialists, with the preliminary programme now available on the dedicated event website, www.radtech2015.com.
The partner exhibition - showcasing the industry
Conference breaks during the day provide the opportunity for delegates to visit the extensive partner exhibitionat the same location, which is also open to visitors who are not attending the conference. In itself, it is a hub of considerable activity with the presence of all prominent industry players. Within the Business Information Market area on the exhibition floor, RadTech Europe members will make short commercial presentations, showcasing the latest UV and EB product and equipment developments. Sharing the same stage, the expanded poster presentations will provide a new platform within which university students can showcase their talents, thus attracting a new generation - tomorrow's industry leaders - to learn about radiation curing. RadTech Europe's Secretariat is handling a 'call for submissions' for this part of the programme.
The social side
No industry event would be complete without associated social events, and at the end of the first day, delegates are invited to relax at the conference 'afterwork party' on site and enjoy an evening of good music, food, and drink.
'New place, new format, new applications'
'This premier event in RadTech Europe's 2015 calendar has been structured to be as inclusive and wide-ranging as possible,' says conference chairman Dawn Skinner, who also chaired the conference programme committee: 'Energy curing is a long-established and well-proven technology that nonetheless is now opening doors in a great number of new areas of usage. We believe this new format will be both exciting and empowering.'
