Presserelease

Stuttgart, 18 April 2024 – The Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (FSK) is once again inviting conference guests to a unique venue this year. The 23rd FSK conference will take place on 21 and 22 November 2024 with a get-together the evening before on 19 November 2024 at the new main plant and headquarters of the KraussMaffei Group in Parsdorf. The association would like to thank the long-standing member for the invitation and is already looking forward to great and unique insights during the entire event and, of course, especially the planned plant tour. Following the relocation, Parsdorf will be home to the corporate headquarters, the injection moulding and reaction technology divisions as well as production and automation under one roof – a modern location for the 182-year-old traditional Munich-based company.

But it’s not just the location that attracts visitors – the trade association is also planning a great programme again this year. “We are in the middle of the preparations and have already finalised a few exciting presentations,” says FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger. As part of the event, current industry topics will be addressed and presented in talks alongside exciting contributions from the co-host. There will also be plenty of opportunity to exchange ideas with the speakers and with each other. “We always notice how important the personal meetings and discussions are when there is a large crowd at the cosy get-together on the evening before the actual event,” explains Junginger.

Another important highlight of this year’s conference is once again the FSK Innovation Award Ceremony for Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes. “Our application phase for the FSK Innovation Award is currently running until mid-June. We are excited to see who we will be honouring with our popular Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Jury Prize in November,” Junginger continues.

Make a note of the date now – the association will also be opening the registration tool on its website shortly. You can find an overview of all the association’s events here.

Stuttgart, 16.04.2024 – Lectures, group work and plenary discussions at the “Insulation Materials Specialist Day – Sustainable into the Future” on 9 and 10 April 2024 shed light on forward-looking topics in the construction industry. The Insulation Materials Specialists Group of the Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (FSK) had invited participants to the symposium in Berlin and put together a great program.

“Great presentations and contributions from the group – we took a lot away with us!” said FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger in a brief summary of the event. The event was deliberately kept relatively small and was therefore fully booked. This allowed the speakers and participants to delve deeper into the topic. The symposium started with a rousing introduction by Peter Bachmann from the Sentinel Haus Institut GmbH in Freiburg. He vividly presented the Sentinel Haus concept, which could help to develop the solutions that will be needed in the future.

Jurist Kerstin Abend from the DIBt (German Institute for Building Technology), and therefore directly from Berlin, had prepared the European Construction Products Regulation for the participants. The CPR is expected to be adopted by the European Parliament before the European elections in June 2024. It is then expected to come into force at the end of 2024/beginning of 2025. The presentation was met with great interest as it dealt in particular with the upcoming new regulations and the resulting consequences. Anita Kietzmann from IBU (Institut Bauen und Umwelt e.V.) was also sent from Berlin to give a presentation. Her presentation introduced the IBU and its globally recognized EPDs. EPDs will be almost indispensable in the future, as they form an important basis for the sustainability assessment of buildings. The use of independent third-party experts and continuous monitoring and review by an independent expert council are a matter of course. In his comprehensive presentation, Prof. Alexander Rudolphi introduced the assessment system of the DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council), which is also based in Berlin. He also presented the requirements matrix for building products and focused in particular on the insulation materials and products associated with them. Dr. Sebastian Harms, Chemische Fabrik Budenheim KG, had prepared a market analysis for flame retardants in insulating materials and brought this with him as a presentation. He openly outlined the company’s own efforts against the background of substance regulations and reported on the challenges on the way to sustainable, halogen-free flame retardants.

“The size and setting of the event was just right for an intensive working meeting,” Junginger continued. The day before the symposium, the insulation materials specialist group had already held its 78th meeting within the association and discussed forward-looking topics and legislative trends in a smaller group. The agenda included topics such as the equivalence of concentric insulation, GEG amendments, standardization, news from the association’s European and national partner associations and networks, as well as marketing and social media and the use and benefits of AI.

Participants at the Insulation Symposium listened intently to the presentations and technical discussions in the plenary session

FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger (right) and the specialist group spokesperson Bernhard Radinger, Steinbacher Dämmstoffe GmbH (left) thanked all the speakers: pictured Kerstin Abend, DIBt (German Institute for Building Technology)

Insulation specialist group with spokespersons Bernhard Radinger, Steinbacher Dämmstoff GmbH (left) and Daniel Graba, BBQS GmbH (right) and FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger (6th from right)

Further information on the Fachverband Schaumkunststoffe und Polyurethane e.V. (FSK) and its events, as well as on the work of the expert committees, is available online at www.fsk-vsv.de/eng or by phone: 0711 993 751- 0.

Stuttgart G – Maastricht NL, 03.04.2024 – The Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (FSK) will be exhibiting at UTECH 2024. The largest international exhibition and conference for the global polyurethane industry will take place from 23 to 25 April 2024. The industry experts meet every three years at the MECC conference center in Maastricht. The association has some great highlights in store at its stand this year. Visit the FSK at its stand H 13!

Quizzes and prizes

The FSK invites visitors to test and deepen their knowledge on the safe handling of diisocyanates in several quizzes. Participants have the chance to win coveted prizes, including a “Spätzle-Press” (traditional Swabian noodle press) as the main prize, recipe included! The FSK is also awarding second prize of a pack of “Spätzle” (Swabian noodles) from the Stuttgart region, the association’s headquarters. The third winner will receive a voucher for the e-learning module “Basic knowledge of diisocyanates”.

How and where to take part

The quizzes will take place at the FSK stand H 13 at the following times:

• Tuesday, 23 April, at 11:30 a.m. and at 3:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, 24 April, at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
• Thursday, 25 April, at 11:00 a.m.

To take part in the interactive and entertaining quiz, visitors need a mobile device.

Stay for a chat

All visitors are welcome to stay for a chat with the FSK team at the stand afterwards. Find out more about the services offered by the association, which range from specialist conferences and specialist groups to advice on laws and regulations. Visitors can also learn more about the range of online and face-to-face training courses on the safe handling of diisocyanates, designed for a variety of industry applications.

“UTECH provides an excellent opportunity to network with our members and forge new relationships within the polyurethane industry,” says Klaus Junginger, Managing Director of FSK. “We look forward to welcoming all visitors to our stand, having good conversations and awarding a few quiz winners.”

About the Fachverband Schaumkunststoffe und Polyurethane e.V. (FSK)

The FSK acts as an advocate for the foam plastics and plastics processing industry. Through its involvement in European and national networks, the association actively supports political initiatives and legal frameworks and keeps its members up to date with industry developments. In addition, the FSK plays a decisive role in standardization committees and contributes to the formulation of industry standards and test protocols. Through the FSK, companies gain valuable access to a network of industry peers, suppliers and research institutions.

Further information on the Fachverband Schaumkunststoffe und Polyurethane e.V. (FSK) and its events, as well as on the work of the expert committees, is available online at www.fsk-vsv.de/eng or by phone: 0711 993 751- 0.

Stuttgart, 20.03.2024 – The “Insulation Symposium – Sustainable into the Future” on 10 April in Berlin is almost fully booked. “The scope of the event has been kept relatively small in order to allow the participating experts to engage in more in-depth discussions on current topics,” explains Klaus Junginger, Managing Director of the Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (FSK). The FSK’s Insulation Materials specialist group is organising the industry meeting and has been able to attract great experts from well-known companies as speakers:

• Kerstin Abend, DIBt (German Institute for Building Technology)
• Peter Bachmann, Sentinel Haus Institut GmbH
• Dr Sebastian Harms, Chemische Fabrik Budenheim KG
• Prof Alexander Rudolphi, DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council)
• Stefan Zwerenz, IBU (Institut Bauen und Umwelt e.V.).

The presentations are all focussed on the major topic of sustainability and current requirements for insulation materials. Peter Bachmann, for example, will discuss how health and sustainability can be a key to success for companies. Kerstin Abend will shed light on the amendment of the European Construction Products Regulation. Prof Alexander Rudolphi will report digitally on the Europe-wide network for sustainable construction. Stefan Zwerenz will explain how companies can create sustainability through transparency. A new addition is the presentation by Dr Sebastian Harms, who will talk about current market developments in the field of flame retardants.

The specialist group is deliberately organising the symposium in Berlin and has thus created an additional incentive for participants and hosts. “Where better to discuss these forward-looking topics and legislative trends with our speakers and guests?” says Junginger. The association is still accepting registrations for the specialist day. Hotel rooms must be requested or organised by the participants themselves, as the association’s contingent is already fully booked.

The day before, on 9 April 2024, there will be an internal meeting of the Insulation Division followed by a get-together. The specialist group meeting is only for members of the Insulation specialist group. The get-together is open to all early arrivals and is a great opportunity for networking and to get in the mood for the symposium.

The detailed programme and all other information is available on the FSK website.

Further information on the Fachverband Schaumkunststoffe und Polyurethane e.V. (FSK) and its events, as well as on the work of the expert committees, is available online at www.fsk-vsv.de/eng or by phone: 0711 993 751- 0.

The Converter Network will meet on 20 June 2024. Our member, Hanno Werk GmbH & Co. KG is inviting the group to a symposium in Laatzen near Hanover. Thank you very much for this. During the event, we will get to know the classic converter company better – both theoretically and practically. The specialist for sealing, room acoustics and sound insulation will introduce itself, its products and projects as well as its network of suppliers and customers and invite all participants to a factory tour.

The specialist speakers will again deal with current and processor-related topics. Dr. Andreas Hohlfeld, Head of R & D at Hanno Werk GmbH & Co. KG on the subject of PFAS. Philipp Staude, Application Engineer and Bernd Kardinal, Area Sales Manager, both Hanno Werk GmbH & Co. KG, will give a joint presentation on the subject of foam finishing. Sustainability will also be an important focus of the symposium. This will not only be covered in a presentation, but also in the presentation of the work results and the status quo of the Converter Network working groups. This is because the specialist group is working particularly hard on the CO2 footprint aspect.

On the evening before the event, 19 June 2024, the get-together will take place for participants with a longer journey and offer a cosy setting for getting in the mood for the symposium and initial networking.

Make a note of the date now – the registration tool is already open. You will receive another invitation with a detailed program in good time. You can find further information on all our events on the FSK website.

We look forward to the Specialist Day and to your registration!

Stuttgart, 12.03.2024 – The applicant portal is now open: The German Specialist Association Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes (FSK e. V.) is organising the Innovation Award for Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes 2024. Young talents and specialists as well as professionals and companies are invited to submit innovative ideas, forward-looking concepts and new developments in the field of foamed plastics and polyurethanes.

With the Innovation Award, the FSK promotes young talent in the industry, but would also like to motivate experienced professionals to submit new ideas, concepts and developments. To this end, the FSK organises an annual innovation award in the categories “Technology”, “Design and Creation” and “Sustainability” in the fields of foamed plastics and polyurethanes. Individuals and groups from universities and companies from all over Europe can apply until 15 June 2024. Submissions from young talents and professionals or companies will be evaluated and honoured separately in order to ensure a fair and proper assessment and awarding of prizes based on knowledge and experience. The evaluation is carried out by a jury of experts selected by the FSK. The criteria are the novelty and innovative strength of the products and solutions submitted, as well as their marketability and competitiveness. “The great thing is how varied the applications are every year. Of course, this also reflects the diversity and innovative strength of the materials,” reports FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger enthusiastically. The winners in the young talent category can also receive prizes of up to EUR 3.000,- to establish their innovations on the market.

Application documents can be requested by e-mail from the FSK office or downloaded from its website. “The award ceremony will be a highlight of the International FSK Conference on Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes in November 2024, which we will hold with and at Krauss Maffei in Parsdorf”, reveals Junginger.

Further information on the Fachverband Schaumkunststoffe und Polyurethane e.V. (FSK) and its events, as well as on the work of the expert committees, is available online at www.fsk-vsv.de or by phone: 0711 993 751- 0.

Stuttgart, 05.03.2024 – On Friday, 05.04.2024, FSK Services GmbH, together with its member company PURPLAN GmbH, is organising an exclusive REACH face-to-face training course on the safe handling of diisocyanates. The training will take place from 10 am to 3 pm at the premises of PURPLAN GmbH, Penter Straße 28 in 49134 Wallenhorst. The classroom training can be booked by anyone and is therefore a one-off, company-independent offer. Bookings can be made via the FSK registration tool.

The training includes all the necessary basic knowledge for the safe handling of hazardous substances and is aimed at employees in companies in the automotive, construction, aviation, medical technology and energy sectors, as well as craftsmen, users in the dental and orthopaedic sectors and self-employed persons who handle diisocyanates. Training contents include: Product labelling, safety data sheets, operating instructions, hazards and chemistry of diisocyanates, exposure, personal protective equipment, hygiene, emergency measures and change management. There is also plenty of room for discussion and application-specific questions during the training. A minimum number of 10 participants is required for the classroom training to take place. At the end of the course, participants receive the FSK training certificate, which is valid for 5 years.

“The course is aimed specifically at smaller companies, individual lateral entrants and newcomers, temporary workers, tradespeople – in short: anyone who needs it quickly,” says FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger. PURPLAN GmbH is making its premises available for the event and the trainer is an FSK master trainer.

The pressure on companies to finally catch up on training is slowly increasing. The authorities have long since started carrying out spot checks and the employers’ liability insurance association is urgently calling for training. Some branches of industry are only now being shaken awake. “We have considered how we can support the industry in fulfilling its legal obligations quickly and easily,” continues Junginger. The training course can be booked at short notice by anyone, regardless of company or industry affiliation, offering a unique, flexible solution.

Exclusively: REACH presence training basic knowledge in Wallenhorst.

Further information on the Fachverband Schaumkunststoffe und Polyurethane e.V. (FSK) and its events, as well as on the work of the expert committees, is available online at www.fsk-vsv.de/eng or by phone: 0711 993 751- 0.

Stuttgart, 22.02.2024 – On April 10, the Insulation Materials Specialist Group of the German Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (FSK) is inviting experts to the “Insulation Materials Conference – Sustainable into the Future” in Berlin. “We deliberately wanted to hold this exciting industry meeting in Berlin. Where better to discuss forward-looking topics and legislative trends?”, says FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger.

The symposium will be opened by Peter Bachmann from the Sentinel Haus Institute in Freiburg. In his presentation, he will outline the key to health and sustainability for companies and show how responsibility leads to success. Kerstin Abend from the DIBt (German Institute for Building Technology) will address the requirements resulting from the amendment of the European Construction Products Regulation. Prof. Alexander Rudolphi from the DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) will report digitally on the Europe-wide network for sustainable building. In his presentation, Stefan Zwerenz from IBU (Institut Bauen und Umwelt e.V.) will report on environmental product declarations (EPD) and how companies can use transparency to create sustainability.

A presentation on trends and alternatives in the field of flame retardants is currently still being coordinated, but the morning is already very promising. “We have been able to attract great experts for the symposium, who will certainly be able to provide new information and valuable impetus for companies”, says Junginger.

The day before, on April 9, 2024, there will be an internal meeting of the insulation specialist group followed by a get-together. The specialist group meeting is only for members of the Insulation specialist group. The get-together is open to all early arrivals and is a great opportunity for networking and to get in the mood for the symposium.

Early registration is recommended as the number of participants for the symposium is limited. Registration is only possible online via the FSK registration tool. Here you will also find further details on the program, venue and hotel accommodation.

Further information on the Fachverband Schaumkunststoffe und Polyurethane e.V. (FSK) and its events, as well as on the work of the expert committees, is available online at www.fsk-vsv.de/eng or by phone: 0711 993 751- 0.

Stuttgart, 15.02.2024 – On 7 May 2024, the Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (FSK e.V.) and its member company Dow Deutschland Anlagengesellschaft mbH will be holding the FSK workshop “Polyurethanes for Beginners” in Ahlen. The workshop is no longer just an integral part of the association’s annual programme, but also that of its member companies. “Our new Chairman of the Board Jörg Arntzen invited us to Ahlen again this year without further ado. We were already able to organise the workshop at Dow last year,” reports FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger, “and once before that in 2018.” The association appreciates the fact that the member companies are always willing to make their experts and laboratories available for the exciting workshop.

The workshop series is aimed at a broad audience, as it appeals equally to students, designers, young professionals, processors and those interested in the industry. Anyone who would like to find out more about polyurethanes and, in addition to an introduction to the areas of application and chemical principles of polyurethane chemistry, would also like to gain a live insight into chemistry and experience the production of polyurethane parts up close in the laboratory and technical centre can take part.

The programme has been finalised – registrations are now open and can only be made via the FSK registration tool. Early registration is highly recommended, as the number of participants is limited and the popular workshops are always booked out quickly. “The workshops are always very popular, as they really give a unique insight into the theory of the material. Participants can expect impressive and instructive hours at Dow,” says Junginger.

Further information on the Specialist Association Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes e. V. (FSK) and its events as well as the work of the specialist committees is available online at: https://www.fsk-vsv.de/en/ or by telephone: 0711 993 751- 0.

Stuttgart, 25.01.2024 – From 23 to 25 April 2024, UTECH Europe will take place at the MECC in Maastricht in the border triangle between the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.

Over 200 exhibitors will present innovations, technologies and products from the entire polyurethane industry. Among the exhibitors – alongside numerous member companies – was the Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (FSK). As in the past, the association has a co-operation agreement with UTECH and can therefore offer all members a special discount. Please feel free to contact us!

For everyone: UTECH Europe is getting closer and closer, and registrations for the exhibition and conference are now open and being accepted at: https://utech-europe-2024.reg.buzz/fsk. Early bird prices are also available until 23 March.

The exhibition will also be accompanied by a conference where delegates can learn about the latest PU research and developments. More than 65 speakers from across the polyurethane industry will provide information on a range of topics including sustainability, flexible and rigid foams, automotive, additives and more.

Visit us at our booth H 13!