Presserelease

We cordially invite you to join the FSK-Converter Network at Foam Expo Stuttgart for a cosy end of the year 2024.

The year-end dinner of the Converter Network has become as much a tradition as the trade fair participation itself. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, 04 December 2024, at the Mövenpick Hotel Stuttgart Airport, Flughafenstraße 50 in 70629 Stuttgart. The cosy get-together will start at 17:30 in the Message Cafe & Bar, from 19:00 the participants can then expect a great dinner in the Restaurant Trollinger. The event is free of charge for FSK members, all non-members are very welcome, and the conditions for participation can be found on our website. As places are always in great demand and unfortunately limited, we kindly ask you to register in good time using our online registration tool.

The FSK has had a stand at the Foam Expo every year since the first Foam Expo in 2020 – and this year is no exception. From 03 to 05 December 2024, the event will once again be Europe’s largest free trade fair and conference for technical foam products and foam products and manufacturing at the Stuttgart Exhibition Centre. The trade fair is of great importance for our association and our members, especially the companies of the Converter Network. Every year, the event is the worthy conclusion to a busy association year. Keep the date and visit us at the trade fair. Register now free of charge online at Foam Expo.

The FSK is pleased to welcome Alba Industries GmbH as a new member of the association and to introduce it to you below:

Alba Industries – The specialist for polyurethane manufacturing solutions

Alba Industries GmbH is an internationally active company with 200 employees. The company headquarters are located in Forstau, Austria. Alba is one of the leading specialists in the development and production of innovative manufacturing systems for high-quality plastic components.

Over 30 years of experience

For over 30 years, Alba has been supplying needs-oriented, flexible solutions, which are realized as tools or as complete turnkey systems. A mix of highly qualified engineers and highly trained skilled workers contribute significantly to the continuous development and success of the company. This makes Alba a global and reliable business partner.

Customers from all over the world

Alba is characterized by its international outlook and strong regional roots. With an export quota of 90 percent, Alba’s technologies and products are at home all over the world. Alba serves customers from a wide range of industries such as the automotive, rail vehicle, aviation, cable car, electrical, construction, furniture, textile, medical and environmental sectors.

Alba Industries GmbH
Winkl 133
5552 Forstau
Österreich

Phone: +43 6454 7800-0
fax: +43 6454 7800-6009
mail: office@albatools.com
web: www.albatools.com

Stuttgart, 09.07.2024 – “Real innovations, real achievements, something with a wow effect – that’s what we’re looking for in our Innovation Award,” FSK Managing Director reveals to potential applicants for the FSK Innovation Award for Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes. “We charge up to EUR 3,000 for an outstanding innovation, so of course we also expect a great idea, a unique approach and a top product.” The trade association presents the award every year, which is intended not only to reflect the innovative strength of the industry, but also to promote it. Applications for the Innovation Award 2024 will therefore be accepted until 22 September 2024.

Young talents and specialists as well as professionals and companies are invited to submit innovative ideas, pioneering 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 in the categories “Technology and Processes”, “Design and Creation” and “Sustainability”. Entries 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 the FSK expert jury. The criteria are the novelty and innovative strength of the products and solutions submitted, as well as their marketability and competitiveness.

The FSK Innovation Award Jury.

“We’ve already seen some really great applications and been able to honour them,” the jury members recall. “There was a soft bathtub made of foam plastic or a particularly comfortable chin rest for the violin, a polyurethane hoof boot for horses that could even provide relief for misalignments or a shelf made of integral foam elements that was not only practical but also had the quality of modern designer furniture.” Such products, usually those that were able to impress in the “design” category, are naturally easy to remember. However, new process or analytical approaches, technological or chemical innovations have also often impressed the jury. With the new “Sustainability” category, which was introduced for the first time in 2022, the association is also supporting innovations that focus on the forward-looking aspect of sustainability.

Award-winning products and ideas from past FSK competitions. 

The award ceremony will take place in a particularly dignified and festive setting. This is because the winners will be able to present their innovations to the specialist audience at the International Conference on Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes, where they will receive their award. “The award ceremony is a good opportunity to convince and approach the right partners with the innovative ideas,” says Junginger, reporting on the experience that the Innovation Award has already helped some young talents to make forward-looking contacts. In this respect, the presentation of the innovations and their awards is a highlight of the conference for both the applicants and the trade audience.

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.

The FSK is pleased to welcome Metzeler Schaum GmbH as a new member of the association and to introduce it to you below:

Metzeler Schaum GmbH is an established member of the foam industry, renowned for its commitment to innovation and excellence. Part of The Vita Group, Metzeler Schaum GmbH has built a legacy of developing tailor-made foam solutions that cater to the specific needs of its clients. The company’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that every foam application requires a unique approach, and it does not subscribe to “off the shelf” solutions. Instead, Metzeler Schaum GmbH prides itself on creating the optimal foam for each application, reflecting its extensive experience in both chemistry and machine technology.

As one of the leading foam manufacturers in Europe, with a production capacity exceeding 30,000 tons of foam per year and millions of formed parts annually, Metzeler Schaum GmbH is a powerhouse in foam production and innovation.

The company’s in-house engineering capabilities enable the development of high-technology foams tailored to client requirements for formed and punched parts. Since its establishment, Metzeler Schaum GmbH has developed and filed many patents showcasing their pioneering drive in foam techniques and solutions for various applications. Notable inventions include the fire-hard foam Metzoprotect® NG for aviation, special grades fulfilling the new EN45545 HL3 for railway, Rubex® tubes for bedding. The company can innovate tailormade foams using different raw materials like soy-based bio-polyols, recycling polyols and other for possibilities to reduce the CO2 footprint depending on the need of its clients within the limits of technical possibilities. These advancements reflect Metzeler’s commitment to innovation and excellence.

Metzeler Schaum GmbH’s product portfolio is extensive, catering to diverse market segments. From premium quality mattresses and flame-retardant seating systems for aviation and railway traffic to special foams for the automotive and the wide range of other industry sectors, Metzeler provides solutions for numerous applications. Their moulded foam and slab stock foam products are utilized across industries such as construction, packaging, engineering, garment, and shoe manufacturing. With over 100 different foam types, Metzeler ensures the correct match for each application, including fine-pored foams for painter rolls, foams for impregnating, and foams for filter technology. Acoustic and insulation solutions are also well-covered with a variety of material combinations like PUR-skin, self-adhesive equipment, textiles, fleece fabrics, fibre glass, and aluminium foil.

The Vita Group, to which Metzeler Schaum GmbH proudly belongs, is a leading provider of flexible polyurethane foam products. With a heritage spanning over 75 years, The Vita Group excels in developing, manufacturing, and marketing a wide array of products, including flexible polyurethane foam, talalay latex, and flooring solutions. Serving various industries, The Vita Group’s business units deliver customized solutions to local, regional, and international customers across Europe and beyond. Whether it is components for furniture, foam for transport and medical applications, or advanced flooring underlays, The Vita Group’s comprehensive portfolio and pan-European operations ensure they meet the diverse needs of their clients with unmatched quality and functionality.

We are delighted to have Metzeler Schaum GmbH (The Vita Group) join the FSK community, and we look forward to the innovative contributions and expertise they bring to our association.

Stuttgart, 25.06.2024 – The Converter Network of the Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (FSK) hosted a conference in Laatzen near Hanover on June 20, 2024. The program of networking, specialist presentations and factory tours offered a balanced and informative event. The event was hosted by FSK member Hanno Werk GmbH & Co. KG, which provided unique insights into the work of the company during the factory tour. The enthusiasm and interest of the participants in the modern, family-run, medium-sized foam processor was correspondingly high. “The company’s special culture of appreciation runs through all levels of the business. You could already feel this in the welcome from the Managing Director Volker Brock and in the conversations with the employees,” says Klaus Junginger, describing the great atmosphere and working climate at Hanno Werk GmbH & Co. KG.

The fact that modern companies are also facing major challenges became clear during the lecture series. One of the topics was the regulation of substances in the EU under the REACH regulation. The impending PFAS ban in particular is creating enormous pressure to innovate and equally great uncertainty. It is not always easy to find a suitable substitute – there was a consensus among the participants from affected companies. Artificial intelligence was also a topic at the symposium. The FSK is already well positioned in this area, as the association has created and implemented its own tools that prioritize user-friendliness and quality. In its training course “Artificial intelligence in the industry“, the association shows how companies in the foam plastics and polyurethane industry can also use AI. The event also focused on sustainability. The topic – in all its scope and with all its challenges – is occupying many foam processors and taking up more and more resources.

“The symposium was very impressive and informative,” says Junginger. “Our specialist days always offer a platform to promote professional exchange in a relaxed atmosphere and bring together bright minds.” Looking ahead to the work of the specialist group and the association’s major annual event at KraussMaffei in November, it is clear that there are other issues that the industry needs to tackle together. The Foam Expo in Stuttgart from 3 to 5 December 2024, where numerous members of the Converter Network and the FSK itself will be exhibiting and meeting up, also offers a good opportunity for this.

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

Impressive insights into the operations of Hanno Werk GmbH & Co KG thanks to live demonstration.

The participants of the Converter Network Specialists Day (seventh from right: Volker Brock, Managing Director of Hanno Werk GmbH & Co. KG).

Networking and soccer at the get-together the evening before.

Stuttgart, 06.06.2024 – The Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (Fachverband Schaumkunststoffe und Polyurethane e.V. – FSK) is extending the deadline for applications for the Innovation Award until 27/06/2024. ‘It should be another exciting competition. We are spoilt in this respect from previous years,’ says FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger, explaining the deadline extension. The renowned FSK Innovation Award for Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes is very popular in the industry and has always been able to recognise the best projects and products from a large number of applications in the past. The association has already received a number of enquiries about innovations. ‘However, in the spirit of true competition, we are still happy to receive one or two applications,’ says Junginger.

Young talents and specialists as well as professionals and companies are invited to submit innovative ideas, pioneering 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 in the categories ‘Technology and Processes’, ‘Design and Creation’ and ‘Sustainability’. Entries 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 winners in the young talent category can also receive prizes of up to EUR 3,000 to help them establish their innovations on the market.

The award ceremony itself always takes place in a particularly dignified and festive setting. This is because the winners are allowed to present their innovations to the specialist audience at the International Conference on Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes, where they receive their award. ‘This is not only a worthy award ceremony, but also a good opportunity to convince and approach the right partners with the innovative ideas,’ reports Junginger from the experience that the Innovation Award has already helped some young talents to make forward-looking contacts. In this respect, the presentation of the innovations and their awards is a highlight of the conference for both the applicants and the trade audience.

The 23rd FSK symposium will take place on 20 and 21 November 2024 with a get-together the evening before on 19 November 2024 at the KraussMaffei Group’s new main plant and headquarters 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 with regard to the planned plant tour. But the location is not the only attraction – the trade association is also planning a varied programme of lectures again this year. Technical, political and future-oriented topics will be discussed in specialist presentations from Best Group GmbH, Hercutec Chemie GmbH, Kraus Maffei Group Gmbh, Purplan GmbH, Rühl AG and Votteler Lackfabrik GmbH for example. This includes contributions from the fields of materials and plant engineering, such as the flooding of plastic injection moulded parts with PU, flexible foam recycling, the future viability of foam plastics, blowing agents and risk management. Registration is now open via the FSK’s online registration tool.

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, 16.05.2024 – On 7 May 2024, the Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (FSK e.V.) organized the workshop “Polyurethanes for Beginners” together with its member company Dow Deutschland Anlagengesellschaft mbH in Ahlen. Participants and organizers were equally enthusiastic.

Senior Key Account Manager and Head of the Application Laboratory at Dow Deutschland Anlagengesellschaft mbH in Ahlen and FSK Chairman of the Board, Jörg Arntzen, was one of the main organizers of the workshop. He and his team had put together a varied program that gave the participants an understanding of the diversity of polyurethane in theory and practice. “We are happy to take the time for the workshop and invite participants to join us. Events like this are good for the industry,” explains Jörg Arntzen. The workshop is always a great experience for the organizers too, with lots of positive feedback. “It is important to us to make the material polyurethane and all its benefits understandable and tangible.”

“A big thank you goes to our member company Dow for the great organization and implementation. It is by no means a matter of course that the FSK has been able to hold the workshop here once again,” says FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger. “But of course, the uniqueness of polyurethane is best explained by experts on site and clearly demonstrated in a laboratory/technical centre.” This balance between knowledge and chemistry, as well as application examples and technology, is what makes the workshop so popular and interesting for a wide audience. Anyone who wants to learn more about polyurethanes and gain live insights into chemistry can take part, including students, designers, young professionals, processors and machine manufacturers – in short, anyone interested in the industry.

There was great enthusiasm among the participants. “A great mix of theory and practice – it was very informative,” summed up one participant. “We were able to ask questions at any time, which were answered competently,” noted another participant. The workshop was helpful for all participants – regardless of their previous knowledge – in gaining a better understanding of the chemistry behind the end product. “The hands-on practical examples in particular clearly showed the influence of different additives and mixing ratios,” said another participant.

The participants of the FSK-Workshop Polyurethanes for Beginners

Dow provides participants with unique insights into production processes.

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, 14.05.2024 – The Converter Network in the Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (FSK) invites you to a symposium on June 20, 2024 in Laatzen near Hanover. FSK member Hanno Werk GmbH & Co. KG is opening its doors to all participants of the event. “We are naturally grateful to be able to host such a renowned company,” says FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger. “We are already looking forward to getting to know the processing company better during the event – both theoretically and practically.” The specialist for sealing, room acoustics and sound insulation will be presenting itself, its products and projects in more detail and inviting all participants to take a tour of the factory while it is in operation.

Hanno Werk GmbH & Co. KG will also be giving two specialist presentations. Dr Andreas Hohlfeld, Head of R & D, will report on the subject of PFAS. This group of substances is subject to a prohibition procedure under the REACH regulation, with all the consequences and challenges that this entails for the industry. Philipp Staude, Application Engineer, and Bernd Kardinal, Area Sales Manager, will give a joint presentation on the topic of foam finishing. Sustainability will also be an important focus of the symposium. It is already captivating many foam processors today and will be the subject of a presentation by Alexander Hartner from Getzner Werkstoffe GmbH. Michelle Maier from Oskar Pahlke GmbH Schaumstoffe will close the series of specialist presentations. She will report on the challenges faced by medium-sized foam processing companies in terms of sustainability.

Another important part of the symposium is the presentation of the results and status quo of the Converter Network’s working groups. This is because current topics and major social and political challenges for processing companies are dealt with emphatically in the specialist group. On the evening before the event, June 19, 2024, a get-together will be offered for all participants. This offers a cozy and popular setting for getting in the mood for the symposium and for initial networking.

Registrations for the symposium will only be accepted via the FSK online registration tool. Here you can also view the list of participants, call up the program and find information on the FSK hotel contingent.

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, 30.04.2024 – At UTECH Europe, which took place from 23 to 25 April 2024, the Fachverband Schaumkunststoffe und Polyurethane e.V. (FSK) impressed visitors with new ideas at its stand. The small and large highlights at the stand attracted many guests, new contacts and good discussions. ‘We are delighted and it was clearly worthwhile for us to exhibit again as a media cooperation partner at UTECH. We will definitely be back in three years’ time,’ summarises FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger.

Klaus Junginger in an interview on the mood at UTECH and in the industry

Eye catcher logo wall is a hook for new contacts and important discussions

The logo wall was an eye-catcher at the FSK stand at UTECH. All members of the association could be recognised on the poster. An impressive selection of important companies in the foam plastics and polyurethane industry. ‘That made one or two people curious and led to interesting conversations,’ reports Junginger. ‘The logo wall was not only a good orientation for completely new contacts, but also a highlight for our members, so all members were somehow present at the trade fair.’ There was always something going on at the association’s stand and the enthusiasm and energy was clearly noticeable. This was also evident to interested companies considering new membership.

FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger (right) in conversation

Diisocyanate quiz in the LinkedIn live ticker

The association’s diisocyanate quiz also contributed to the good atmosphere and the hustle and bustle at the stand. Every day, the trade association organised a quiz on the topic of ‘Safe handling of diisocyanates’ via mobile phone voting. Participants could win a spaetzle press, spaetzle or a voucher for the online basic course on diisocyanates. The lucky winners were also posted on the association’s LinkedIn profile. In further posts, the association reported live for all those who were unable to visit the trade fair with numerous pictures and short reports, including the interview with Klaus Junginger.

Participants in the FSK diisocyanate quiz

Insider insights into the new FSK AI course, chat bot and module finder

At the trade fair, the trade association gave an exclusive advance insight into the new eLearning course ‘Artificial Intelligence in Industry’. This went online following UTECH on 29 April 2024. The association was generous, both with the opportunity to test the course extensively and with the distribution of vouchers for the course. The many potential applications of AI for industry are still far from being fully utilised, and many are critical or even suspicious of the topic. ‘The insight into the course impressed our guests at UTECH. On the one hand, the presentation was very well received, and on the other, the practical presentation of the content,’ reports Junginger. The training course provides answers to initial questions of understanding and basic clarification, numerous practical examples and application suggestions for industrial companies and, last but not least, valuable assistance on how implementation can be carried out and mastered. The association itself is already using artificial intelligence: The association’s own chat bot is used to communicate association topics and industry knowledge. The module finder helps diisocyanate users to determine their training needs, making the process much easier for the industry and the FSK Services GmbH sales team.

The new FSK e-learning course “Artificial Intelligence in Industry”.

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.

Maastricht, 25.04.2024 – Just a few days before the launch of the new training course, the German Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (FSK) is providing unique advance insights into the new course on the use of artificial intelligence at UTECH. The trade association was at UTECH from April 23 to 25 and allowed its guests to get a taste of the course at its stand. The first testers at the trade fair were impressed, but – like everyone else – still have to wait for the launch of the “Artificial intelligence in industry” online course. The course can be booked from 29.04.2024 in the store at www.fsk-training.de.

New course – proven platform

Like all other training courses, the course is run under the auspices of FSK Services GmbH, a subsidiary of the association. At the beginning of the year, the association announced that new courses would be added to the training program. “The response last year was overwhelming, at times even overwhelming to be honest,” says Klaus Junginger, Managing Director of the Fachverband Schaumkunststoffe und Polyurethane e.V. (FSK). The reason for this: The diisocyanate training courses that the association offers have been a mandatory European requirement for the use and application of diisocyanates since August 2023. “Naturally, the demand for training was correspondingly high. But the positive feedback in particular prompted us to further expand the training offer.” The course is therefore based on the association’s proven concept and is integrated into the specially designed training platform. The exclusively online training offers all the advantages of flexible and individual self-study in terms of time and location. However, there is still an in-depth explanation of the topic. The FSK has come up with something new for this course. Numerous video sequences are integrated into the course alongside the reading material and give participants a clear understanding of the topic. As before, chapters can be worked through as quickly or slowly as desired or repeated. At the end of the course, every participant who has successfully completed the course and passed the test receives a corresponding FSK certificate.

AI – a major topic in industry and the association

“It quickly became clear to us that we wanted to design a course on the topic of AI,” says Junginger, “we use AI ourselves for our association and have developed our own chat bot.” The fascination with and popularity of ChatGPT gave the association the idea of designing its own reference work with source security.

The associations own chat bot is filled with association topics and industry knowledge. “The great thing is that the user knows that we as an association serve as a source and can vouch for the quality of the information in our closed system,” Junginger continues. The association had already created and used the module finder in the course of the enormous pressure to provide information and the rush of inquiries. Artificial intelligence in this area helps diisocyanate users to determine their training requirements, making the process much easier for the industry and the FSK Services GmbH sales team.

AI – Exciting insights into specific industrial applications

The many possible applications of AI for industry are still far from being fully exploited. “We have noticed that many people are critical or even suspicious of the topic. The new course can help here,” reports Junginger. The “Artificial intelligence in industry” course provides answers to initial questions of understanding and basic information. In addition, the course also provides numerous practical examples and application suggestions for industrial companies. Last but not least, the course also provides valuable assistance on how implementation can be carried out and mastered.

Following the launch in May, the first training course outside of the Diisocyanate courses is now available. A range of other content will be added to the platform later this year. Stay tuned!

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 new FSK e-learning course “Artificial Intelligence in Industry”.

The FSK certificate for successful participation in the AI course.

Quality and safety: FSK AI chat bot.