About the Book
Both synthetic and natural latices were covered in this conference, including natural rubber latex, high volume synthetic emulsions, such as SBR, as well as specialty products, such as acrylics. Application markets addressed included adhesives and sealants, carpet backing, paper coatings, construction, fabrics, foamed articles, medical gloves, medical devices, textile threads, condoms and others. The latex industry is in dynamic flux at the present time. The supply side has undergone major restructuring. Inter-materials competition has intensified as improved materials become capable of challenging incumbent materials. Many serious issues face the latex industry, such as continuing price depression in some sectors, rising technical demands as well as substantial legislative and environmental pressure. Despite the challenging times facing the industry, the overall prospects for latex are very positive. Substitution of solvent based products continues, the performances of latices continues to improve in such applications as adhesives and the glove industry is responding positively to the setbacks of the allergy controversy.
Global demand for latex has grown strongly in recent years to reach close to 9 million dry tons and has spread across a wide range of industrial and consumer markets. Growing demand in medical and strong prospects in construction are just two of the positive trends that will continue to fuel the market growth of both natural and synthetic latices. As last year's conference demonstrated, the Rapra International Latex Conference is an unparalleled forum for developing understanding of the latex industry, technical trends and market driving forces, such as new legislation. The 2002 event provided a vital meeting point for the synthetic and natural latex communities of Europe, Asia and America. This conference will be of interest to all latex stakeholders, including: feedstock suppliers, latex producers, compounders, fabricators of consumer, medical and industrial articles based on latex, traders and distributors, machine and equipment suppliers, legislators, healthcare professionals and users of latex based products.
Table of Contents:
Trends in the Industry for Rubber Lattices Dr Prachaya Jumpasut, International Rubber Studies Group, UK Synthetic Latex - Technology and Market Projections Dr Dave Dunn, bms AG, USA Natural Latex - Market Developments Mr Richard Beswick, bms AG, Switzerland Latest Development of the Gloves Industry in Malaysia and Latex Protein Allergy Issues Dr Ong Eng Long, Malaysia Rubber Export Promotion Council, Malaysia European Regulatory Requirements Mr John Spashett, BM Polyco Ltd, UK US Regulatory Compliance in the Rubber Industry using ISO 9001:2000 Ms Lillie C Thomas and Ron Schlager, Custom Services International Inc, USA Improvements in the Quality of Latex Gloves by Regulatory Follow-up Studies Dr Juhani Ojajarvi, H Reinikka-Railo, T Palosuo and K Turjanmaa, National Agency for Medicines, Finland The Development of Occupational Asthma and Allergic Skin Reactions caused by Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) Dr Henning Allmers, Universitat Osnabruck, Germany Guayule Latex: A Clinically-Proven, Natural Solution to Type I Latex Allergy Dr Katrina Cornish, Jenny L Brichta, Mary H Chapman, Deborah J Scott, Jennifer E Van Fleet, Wenshuang Xi and Delilah F Wood), USDA-ARS, USA Low Protein Latex for Dipped Goods Mr Swee Hua Tan, Lim Beng Thye, Mok Long Siang, Shum Kwok Chue and Zainoddin, Getahindus (M) Sdn Bhd, Malaysia ZMTI/MTI Antioxidant Synergists Mr Bob Dzikowicz, R T Vandebilt, USA Sustainable Accelerators for the Latex Industry Dr K B Chakraborty and R Couchman, Robinson Brothers Ltd, UK Membrane Vapour Permeation Solvent Stripping of Artificial Synthetic Polyioprene Latices and Other Latices Mr Mark McGlothlin, Apex Medical Technologies Inc, USA Rupture Resistance: A Novel Measure Capable of Setting Thin film Performance Thresholds Mr Scott Smith, Microflex, USA Adhesive Technology Dr Hans-Peter Schwengers, Dr Soren Butz, Dr Gunther Muller and Dr Volker Erb, PolymerLatex, Germany
