The Specialist Association Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes (FSK) will celebrate its 60th anniversary at its International Specialist Conference Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes on 13 and 14 September 2022 in Dortmund.

Stuttgart, 18 May 2022 – The Specialist Association Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes FSK was founded 60 years ago in October 1962 in Frankfurt. Back then, the FSK was known as Industrial Association Foamed Plastics (Industrieverband Schaumkunststoffe, ISK) but changed its name four years later to Specialist Association Foamed Plastics (Fachverband Schaumkunststoffe). The FSK is one of the world’s oldest associations for the foamed plastics and polyurethane industry. In Europe, no other association comprises polyurethanes and other materials and has as many member companies as the FSK. Right from the beginning, the FSK was in close contact with the creator of polyurethane, Prof. Dr Otto Bayer, who – like several other pioneers in the industry – was honoured by the FSK with the association’s Medal of Honour for his achievements.

The FSK has been organising conferences on foamed plastics and polyurethane applications for more than half a century. In 1987, the FSK hosted the first Global Polyurethane Congress in Europe. To this day, the FSK is the only association worldwide to offer a Polyurethane Innovation Award and a Foamed Plastics Innovation Award, honouring students, young professionals, and companies for their ideas for over 25 years. Since its founding, the FSK has been following political and social developments and their consequences for the industry. For the first time this year, the FSK will present an innovation award in the category “Sustainability” in recognition of the call for a rethink towards more sustainability.

“We are really looking forward to celebrating our anniversary – 60 years FSK – as a live event,” says Klaus Junginger. “Many important topics have surfaced in the industry over the past few years, which we want to present and discuss at our conference. This year, we have addressed the current topics of circular economy and sustainability, artificial intelligence, flame retardancy and the European chemicals policy for the conference. We will hear exciting presentations and experience lively discussions on these topics. The conference is renowned throughout the polyurethane industry as an important platform for knowledge exchange.”

Outstanding partners support the FSK conferences in the usual manner, offering insights into their companies as part of the event. In Dortmund, the company ATLAS® Schuhfabrik GmbH & Co.KG known as Atlas® – the shoe company, will open its doors to the FSK event participants and demonstrate the manufacturing process of its safety shoes.

The event programme for the International FSK Specialist Conference Polyurethanes 2022 can be found here.