Presserelease

(The event will be held in German with simultaneous translation into English).

Interesting insights will be offered to the industry in the fall at the 22nd International FSK Conference Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes 2023 on 22 and 23 November. Numerous experts from the industry are expected by the Fachverband Schaumkunststoffe und Polyurethane e.V. (FSK) at this year’s event cooperation partner, Covestro Deutschland AG in Leverkusen.

On Wednesday morning, 22 November 2023, the conference will begin at 11:20 a.m. for all participants in the Baykomm Communication Center of Covestro Deutschland AG. The light-flooded communication area of Baykomm provides a special setting for the conference. After the official welcome by FSK Chairman Albrecht Manderscheid and the keynote speech by Dr Thorsten Heinemann, Head of Group Innovation at host company Covestro, Mr Albrecht Manderscheid will be bid a dignified farewell after 27 years on the FSK Board with a laudatory speech by Dr Markus Steilemann, Chairman of the Board of Management of Covestro Deutschland AG.

Both days of the event are well filled with expert presentations on the main topics of the conference: “Fire – No Thanks”, “PU in Electromobility” as well as “Chemical Recycling” and “Cyber Security”. A top-class panel discussion on chemical recycling and the ceremony for the presentation

of the Innovation Award Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes 2023 complete the interesting programme.

Participants can look forward to the following lectures:

• Alexander Hinzsch will open a burning chapter. He reports on the fire day on 8 June 2022 in his company and the lessons learned from it. His conclusion: “Thanks to the good cooperation of all employees, fire restoration specialists, experts and the insurance company, we succeeded in gradually restarting production operations after just one and a half weeks.”
• Michel Glunk of Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH calls for more sensitivity in dealing with data: “Cyber security is indeed a superficial issue. But the fact is that the threats are still not taken seriously enough.” This is surprising. Because in 2022, there were an average of 1,168 hacker attacks worldwide in the 4th quarter, per week!
• The EU project “CIRCULAR FOAM” aims to develop a closed-loop circular ecosystem for end-of-life (EoL) rigid PU foam. Dr Catherine Lövenich from Covestro takes stock: “We have made a lot of progress in the first 20 months. We have explored many approaches on how rigid PU foams could be recyclable and closed-loop recycling could become possible.”
• New ways to increase efficiency in foam development will be demonstrated by Dr Dennis Krause in his presentation “Foaming Simulation – A digital technology for early insights during development”. The combination of laboratory work and simulation helps to reduce development times and costs.

The panel discussion on Wednesday afternoon with leading experts from industry will be dedicated to chemical recycling and process engineering. Scientists and practitioners will discuss and highlight the most important and forward-looking trends.

The late afternoon will be dedicated to the ceremony for the Polyurethane 2023 Innovation Award. A total of 13 applications ranging from young professionals/students to professionals/companies have applied in the two categories of technology and sustainability. It is noteworthy that the sustainability category already reports the strongest field of applicants. In the Design category will not be awarded this year.

At the joint evening event on Wednesday in the Barmenia Loung BayArena, participants will have the opportunity for networking and further professional exchange.

After the lectures on Thursday morning, all interested parties will be given exclusive insights into the newly designed technical centre for high-performance polyurethanes of Covestro Deutschland AG, a crowning conclusion to the symposium.

“With so much on offer, participants can look forward to extremely interesting and forward-looking impulses from the professional world,” says FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger.

Registration for the conference online.

Information on the Fachverband Schaumkunststoffe und Polyurethane e.V. (FSK), its events and the work of the expert committees can be found online at: www.fsk-vsv.de.

Those who make up their minds at short notice can still register for the joint specialist day on recycling and recovery of the Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (FSK e.V.) and the bvse (German Federal Association for Secondary Raw Materials and Waste Disposal) until September 29, 2023. On October 5, experts will highlight and discuss challenges and solutions in mechanical and chemical recycling at the Kulturhaus of BASF Schwarzheide GmbH.

At the Recycling and Recovery Symposium, the focus of the expert presentations and discussion panels will be on the mechanical and chemical recycling of PUR and PIR. Members and non-members can look forward to contributions from:

• Christoph Brüning, omnicycle GmbH & Co. KG
• Marieke Hoffmann, German Environmental Aid e.V.
• Alexander Kramer, German Association of Towns and Municipalities (DStGB)
• Thomas Probst, bvse e.V. 
• Mila Skokova and Dr. Valentin Stoychev, H & S Anlagentechnik GmbH
• Marco Werth, Rampf Eco Solutions

After lunch at the Kulturhaus Schwarzheide, Viktor Schön from KMA Umwelttechnik GmbH will shed light on another topic. He reports how costs can be reduced and calculated by means of modern exhaust air technology and powerful heat recovery, and how a certain degree of autonomy can also be achieved. “Energy procurement and energy costs are red-hot topics. Not only the idea of sustainability, but also the necessary predictability and continuity drive companies to rely on a long-term concept” says FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger.

Following the lecture, all participants are invited to a plant tour of the BASF Schwarzheide GmbH production site. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to get to know and experience BASF Schwarzheide GmbH. The plant tour certainly offers great insights,” Junginger says.

The association is hosting the event together with its partner association bvse. Dr. Thomas Probst will therefore lead the question and answer session and the panel discussion. “Thanks to his experience, the thoroughly controversial viewpoints will certainly be a constructive exchange among the panellists and with the audience,” Junginger continues.

The event already promotes this exchange with the cosy get-together on the evening before the event. All early arrivals can get in the mood for the topic of the symposium at this get-together. The informal dinner offers space for lively networking.

Registration is only possible via the FSK registration tool. The programme is available online (programme DE, programme ENG).

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.

On 13 September 2023, the German Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (Fachverband Schaumkunststoffe und Polyurethane – FSK e.V.) together with its member company, Hennecke GmbH in Sankt Augustin, once again organized the popular FSK workshop in the “Polyurethanes for Beginners” series. The event and organizers were equally enthusiastic about the participants.

The second FSK beginners’ workshop was also fully booked shortly after the registration tool opened. In May, demand for the event at Dow Deutschland Anlagengesellschaft mbH in Ahlen had been so great that the announcement of the second workshop at Hennecke GmbH was very well received. The workshop explains polyurethanes to anyone interested, even without prior knowledge, and also gives a hands-on experience of the unique and versatile material. “The event is an opportunity to get the word out about the almost unlimited possibilities of PUR, a high-performance plastic. It has long been the case that not everyone is aware of all the things that can be done with PUR,” explains FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger.

“Holding our workshops in cooperation with our member companies, such as this year with Dow and Hennecke, is very valuable and not something we take for granted. The host companies provide machines, time, premises and training personnel. We are very grateful for that!” continued Junginger. The enthusiasm for the event is mutual. For Hennecke GmbH, too, the cooperation with the association and the joint events are always a great experience, says Jens Winiarz, Senior Director Sales Metering & Composites at Hennecke GmbH and contact person for association work. He and the entire Hennecke team have already held a number of workshops together with the association in the past, as well as the FSK’s major annual conference, the International Conference Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes.

Technical Trainer Rainer Marx accompanied the participants throughout the day and gave them a tour of the company. The company provided insight not only into the technical centre, but also into all areas, and enabled the participants to have a direct exchange with the responsible employees. At the end of the day, it was clear that Hennecke is looking far into the future and developing innovative ideas in the field of machine manufacturing using the latest digital possibilities.

It came as no surprise that the feedback session at the end of the event painted a clear picture: a thoroughly successful event. “Yesterday’s training at Hennecke was great, a hell of an experience and a really highly professional day!” said one participant enthusiastically. Another participant emphasized how much the “Hennecke culture” had been felt: “All employees and colleagues pull together like in a family to further develop the high technical standards and to realize the visions for the future.”

The participants of the FSK workshop “Polyurethanes for Beginners” with Jens Winiarz and Rainer Marx from Hennecke GmbH.

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, 07.09.2023 – Recycling and recovery of polyurethane are the main topics of the joint conference of the Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (FSK e.V.) and the bvse (German Association for Secondary Raw Materials and Waste Disposal). On 5 October, the associations invite members and non-members to discuss the major challenges and solutions and to get to know BASF Schwarzheide GmbH.

The expert lectures at the symposium will shed light on the topic of chemical and mechanical recycling of polyurethane using modern practical examples. Participants and organisers are therefore looking forward to speakers and discussants from well-known companies:

• Christoph Brüning, omnicycle GmbH & Co. KG
• Thomas Hillebrand, PDR Recycling
• Marieke Hoffmann, Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V.
• Alexander Kramer, Deutscher Städte und Gemeindebund (DStGB)
• Christian Kurtsiefer, KMA Umwelttechnik GmbH
• Mila Skokova und Dr. Valentin Stoychev, H & S Anlagentechnik GmbH
• Marco Werth, Rampf Eco Solutions

The topics of sustainability, resource conservation, and recycling are driving our industry. We feel this every day,” says FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger. Therefore, the FSK has joined forces with the partner association bvse for this event and jointly designed a versatile program. Solutions from chemical and mechanical recycling will be presented in expert lectures and then put up for discussion in a thoroughly controversial panel discussion. Since the symposium stands for lively networking and constructive further thinking, not only members of the associations are welcome, but also all other interested parties. “The event offers space for dialogue and is a platform for exchange,” Junginger emphasizes. For this purpose, the association is hosting a cozy get-together on the evening before the event. All early arrivals can already get in the mood for the topic of the specialist day in this round.

Registration is only possible via the FSK registration tool. The programme is available online (programme DE, programme ENG).

The event will take place at BASF’s Kulturhaus in Schwarzheide and will end with a plant tour of the production site. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to get to know and experience BASF Schwarzheide GmbH. The plant tour offers great insights that are not common and we appreciate it very much,” says 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/eng or by phone: 0711 993 751- 0.

The FSK is extending the application phase for the FSK Innovation Award 2023. Applications with innovative product ideas, new technologies and/or convincing sustainability concepts from the fields of polyurethanes and foam plastics are still being accepted until the end of July.

Stuttgart, 29 June 2023 – The annual Innovation Award of the Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (FSK) is part of the objective to promote young talent in the industry. Bright minds of all ages are to be motivated to develop new ideas, concepts, technologies and products. Receiving an award from the FSK is both an added bonus to the development of an innovation and a kind of seal of approval. That’s because all applications are reviewed and highlighted by the FSK’s panel of experts.

“We clearly sense what’s going on in the industry. There is no lack of innovation in the polyurethanes and foam plastics industry. Hardly any other is so promising and eager to develop. What is lacking is time! We clearly hear from the ranks of our members that it is a turbulent year and that many things beyond the core business have to take a back seat. Therefore, we have decided to give everyone a little more time and therefore extend the application deadline for our Innovation Award at short notice until 31.07.2023,” says FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger. “The application criteria and procedure are unchanged. We also already have some strong applications, but would like to give more candidates the chance to submit your project.”

The FSK invites entries for the Innovation Award in the categories “Technology” and “Design and Creation” from the materials areas of foam plastics and polyurethanes. This year, for the second time, an application with products and innovations related to materials is also to be submitted in the “Sustainability” category.

Individuals and groups from universities and companies throughout Europe can apply until 31 July 2023. Submissions from young talents and professionals or companies will be evaluated and awarded separately to ensure a fair and proper evaluation and awarding according to knowledge and experience. Criteria are the novelty and innovativeness of the submitted products and solutions, as well as their marketability and competitiveness. Application documents can be requested by mail from the FSK office or downloaded from its website. The awards ceremony will take place at the International FSK Foam Plastics and Polyurethanes Conference on 22 November 2023, in Leverkusen at Covestro Deutschland AG. Winners in the young talent category can receive additional endowments of up to €3,000 to establish their innovations on the market.

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.

On 14 and 15 June 2023 the FSK Converter Network met in Freudenberg for the big symposium at Albrecht Bäumer GmbH & Co. KG. The fully booked event was a complete success for organizers and participants alike.

Stuttgart, 22.06.2023 – On 14 and 15 June 2023 the FSK Converter Network met in Freudenberg for the big symposium at Albrecht Bäumer GmbH & Co. KG. Apart from a few last-minute cancellations, the event was fully booked and a complete success for both organizers and participants.

During the event, moderator Udo J. Storck, MASTERFOAM GROUP, reported on the status quo of the Converter Network working groups. The progress of both working groups on the topics of sustainability and DIN 7715 is due to the active cooperation of the members, he said. Founder and spokesman of the group, Udo J. Storck, handed over his office to new hands at the meeting. The participants unanimously elected Harry Leichmann, BOSIG GmbH, as spokesman and Dr. David Spitzer, Metzeler Schaum Gmbh, as deputy spokesman of the Converter Network. Both are looking forward to the new task and want to continue the successful work of their predecessor. FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger took this opportunity to thank the latter for his extraordinary commitment since the group was founded in 2020.

As part of the exciting series of lectures, Albrecht Bäumer GmbH & Co. KG, Michael Stöhr, Lucas Bäcker, Andre Schlimm and Rainer Wenger presented the company with the lecture title “Smart Transfoaming”. Bäumer as market leader of special machines and plants for the foam industry thinks in a triangle of layout, machines and processes, in order to find not only an ideal machine solution for productions, but likewise to increase the profit. Christoph Moisel, Carpenter, stimulated an interesting discussion on standardized interfaces for machine data in the foam industry with his presentation, which will be pursued in the group beyond the event. Dr. Christian Hermann and Björn Haiplik from BOSIG GmbH gave an impressive report in their presentation “Bastotect© – Colour and Sound of Silence” on the different sectors for the application, the raw material as well as the individual Bastotect© types and special properties. The presentation of Recticel Engineered Foams Germany GmbH by Fabian Schlüter was equally well received. Under the presentation title “Growing together for a PUre future”, he whisked the participants away to remarkable future scenarios. Fabian Leuthard of Sekisui Alveo AG enlightened participants in his presentation on the “European Packaging Directive and its impact on converters.” The series of presentations was concluded by Quinn Dams, Avery Dennison Performance Tapes, with his presentation on key market segments, Avery Dennison competencies and special features of performance tapes and solvent- and water-free adhesives.

The FSK member Albrecht Bäumer GmbH & Co. KG and Udo J. Storck had played a major role in organizing and designing the two days of the event. As a conclusion of the technical day, all participants were invited to a factory tour with exciting insights into the world of special machines for the foam industry. The guided tour impressively presented the individual machines and sophisticated techniques of mechanical post-treatment and provided a unique insight. The company, which is headquartered in Freudenberg and employs around 400 people, has a promising future, as shown by its international orientation towards Japan, China and the USA, as well as its focus on young talent with currently 30 trainees.

The participants of the FSK Specialist Day Converter Network at Albrecht Bäumer GmbH& Co.KG.

Handover of the spokesman ship (from left to right): FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger congratulates the newly elected spokesmen Harry Leichmann, BOSIG GmbH and Dr. David Spitzer, Metzeler Schaum GmbH and thanks predecessor Udo Storck, Masterfaom GmbH

Great thanks for was the FSK member Albrecht Bäumer GmbH around the organization team (from left to right): Lucas Bäcker, Michael Stöhr, Rainer Wegner.

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 sixth edition of the new association magazine ‘FSK-Aktuell’ is hot off the press and on our tables. The magazine is packed with numerous technical articles and expert interviews on the various topics currently under discussion in the association and among its members. Of course, we also report in this issue on all meetings of the specialist groups and events of the FSK. Get to know the latest companies once again under the heading “New FSK member”.

For the first time, we are offering the magazine online in the form of a flip page catalog. The animated version of the magazine guarantees full reading pleasure. Furthermore, you can also download this issue as a PDF from our website. The latest issue as a flip catalog, as well as all previous copies, can be found here on our website.

We will also take the FSK magazine to our next event, the Converter Network Specialist Day at Albrecht Bäumer GmbH & Co. KG on 14 and 15 June in Freudenberg. We are looking forward to the response of the participants, our readers and our members.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all contributors and advertising sponsors. We would be delighted if our members took the opportunity to present themselves, support the publication financially and help us develop the magazine into an important industry medium.

Enjoy reading the new FSK-Aktuell!

Harmonized occupational safety throughout Europe, more coverage and safe learning outcomes: these are the goals of the cooperation between the German Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (Fachverband Schaumkunststoffe und Polyurethane e. V.) and the Swiss Plastics Industry Association (Verband der Schweizer Kunststoffindustrie KUNSTSTOFF.swiss) in the area of training.

Successfully completed diisocyanate training courses are a legal requirement in the EU for importing and processing these chemicals in trade and industry. The training deadline is running – until 24.08.2023, users must provide proof of appropriate training. FSK Services GmbH offers these trainings since the beginning of the harmonization and will work hand in hand with the Swiss association KUNSTSTOFF.swiss in the future to be able to offer the practical standards and proven training concepts beyond the borders of the EU.

Training competence without borders

FSK Services GmbH is a 100% subsidiary of the Fachverband für Schaumkunststoffe und Polyurethane (FSK e.V.). Together with KUNSTSTOFF.swiss the two associations realize with the cooperation a training offer, which is at the same time a commitment of the industry to unrestricted high occupational health and safety. Switzerland is not a member of the EU. The implementation of the European training content is therefore a clear signal from the entire industry for the best working conditions and well-trained employees. With the cooperation, the innovative power and the experience of two large organizations flow into the training offer. After all, FSK Services GmbH has already awarded more than 8,000 certificates to participants in the diisocyanates training courses. The spectrum ranges from automotive and medical technology through energy and logistics to mechanical engineering and the construction industry. The success proves the Stuttgart-based training company right.

Diisocyanate training courses online or face-to-face

FSK Services GmbH and KUNSTSTOFF.swiss offer customized learning concepts: from online training, to classroom training in the company, to train-the-trainer models. The different offers provide great flexibility for companies and employees. The e-learning enables independent and flexible learning, while the face-to-face trainings with experienced master trainers offer exchange and demand opportunities within the classroom. The train-the-trainer model is popular for multiplying training knowledge specifically within the company on-site.

Training offering for every application and every level

The modules are based on a tried-and-tested learning concept, divided into basic, advanced and advanced training courses geared to the intensity of contact with diisocyanates. This means that craftsmen, self-employed persons and company employees can continue their training individually and efficiently.

Training offer for every application and every level

The modules are based on a proven learning concept, divided into basic, advanced and advanced training courses, which are geared to the intensity of contact with diisocyanates. This enables craftsmen, self-employed persons and company employees to receive individual and efficient training. The training content begins, for example, with the correct interpretation of product labels and data sheets and explains personal protective equipment and sensible emergency measures. In the advanced training, among other things, the evaluation of existing safety instructions and the risk in relation to the application processes used are added. Advanced students can, for example, practice spraying outside booths or open handling of hot formulations.

Selection, registration, certificate

FSK Services GmbH offers a practical selection guide on the training website based on subject-specific questions: www.fsk-training.de. In this way, everyone can quickly and clearly find the training content they need and book the course. KUNSTSTOFF.swiss publishes offers and dates under: Schulungen und Seminare (kunststoff.swiss). In case of questions, the associations are of course also available with their sales teams for advice and support.

Managing Director of the KUNSTSTOFF.swiss association Riccardo Casanova (left) and FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger cooperate to improve occupational safety.

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.

In addition to numerous technical topics, the election of the spokesperson was also on the agenda for the last meeting of the Insulation Division. The group unanimously decided on a team leadership and elected Daniel Graba, Daniel Hofmann and Bernhard Radinger as spokespersons for the group.

Stuttgart, 03.05.2023 – On 25 April 2023, the Insulation Specialist Group met at the FSK office in Stuttgart for its 76th specialist group meeting. Participation in the meeting was possible in person and digitally, and included a diverse program of content related to building insulation. Therefore, the new draft bill for the Building Energy Act GEG, which is much discussed in Germany and is to be passed soon, was discussed as well as the major amendment, which is planned for 2025. The specialist group is also in the circle of interested parties of the DIN standards committee CEN/TC 228 NA 041 (NHRS) and thus keeps its members up to date on the building envelope, hydraulic balancing, heat pumps and heating systems. Another important topic was insulation in the drinking water sector, especially in the floor construction. In this respect, the specialist group is increasingly campaigning for a clear GEG design and is in contact with the relevant authorities in this regard. Focusing on the importance of correct building services insulation, the specialist group also discussed future cooperation with other important partners and institutions, such as the VDI, the DGNB or the WKSB. In addition, the specialist group wants to appear again in the future with more current topics in the context of technical papers and an update of the website.

Participants on site from left to right: Daniel Graba, BBQS Engineering GmbH, Ilona Kramer, FSK e.V., FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger, Bernhard Radinger and Daniel Hofmann, Steinbacher Dämmstoff GmbH, Thomas Frey, Sekisui Alveo AG.

Already in the last big meeting in last October in Austria, group spokesman Daniel Graba, BBQS Engineering GmbH, let it be known that he is very busy and therefore reinforcement for the honorary leadership of the group would be desirable. Daniel Hofmann, Steinbacher Dämmstoff GmbH, who has been involved in the group as a deputy for many years, also agreed to participate in a team of spokespersons together with his colleague Bernhard Radinger, Steinbacher Dämmstoff GmbH. The group unanimously elected the three representatives as a spokesperson team and thanked them for taking on the responsibility and for the work they had already done.

“The honorary office has always given me great pleasure. I am nevertheless glad that with the two colleagues of the company Steinbacher Dämmstoff GmbH engaged industry representatives enter also into the speaker’s office, which were already in the past always a large support and driving force in the group”, so Daniel Graba. “We are happy to relieve colleague Graba in one or the other task that arises for the spokespersons. However, we are glad that he will continue to serve the group with his experience as a planner and practical insights from the construction site and as a speaker,” said fellow speakers Hofmann and Radinger.

Newly elected spokespersons of the Insulation Division: Bernhard Radinger (Steinbacher Dämmstoffe GmbH), Daniel Graba (BBQS Engineering GmbH), Daniel Hofmann (Steinbacher Dämmstoffe GmbH).

The Insulation Division of the German Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association (FSK) has always provided information on the correct insulation for buildings in accordance with current legal requirements and advises professionals such as planners and architects as well as craftsmen and private individuals on their individual projects.