Sustaining Bonds at Foam Expo Europe 2023
Electric mobility and other sustainable solutions are transforming the globe today and influencing the world of foam, as showcased at Foam Expo Europe 2023. One example of the impactful trends driving sustainability is Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV). Learn more about this movement from our Tape Solutions team, who have just returned from the event.
Sustainability is everywhere
Preserving resources and reducing environmental impacts is currently one of the most critical tasks. As such, these topics were front and centre at Foam Expo Europe. Whether it was discussed with visitors, featured in exhibitor messaging and displays, or highlighted as the main theme of the conference, it was clear that sustainability is affecting the entire industry and is gaining more attention than ever. It comes as no surprise that our high-performance acrylic adhesive tapes, developed with innovative UV curing technology, garnered significant interest. This technology allows us to deliver high-end functionality without the use of solvents. Furthermore, water consumption is eliminated during the coating process, and overall, these acrylic tapes require less energy compared to other technologies. The result: high-performance tapes that help our customers better achieve their sustainability goals.
Reduce assembly time, risk, costs, and chemical waste with innovative primerless bonding
Our latest innovation for primerless automotive bonding in Europe, the Norbond® Z3000 Series (Z3100 Series in North America), was a standout feature at the event, as it has been designed to deliver value that goes beyond exceptional performance under extreme conditions. By providing outstanding adhesion to LSE (Low Surface Energy), MSE (Medium Surface Energy) plastics and painted surfaces, this product line streamlines assembly processes, eliminates the need for chemical pre-treatments, and reduces risks, costs, and chemical waste.
Premium foams gaining traction
Traditionally, Foam Expo visitors are keen to discover the latest innovations in foams. New PU and PVC materials that enhance environmental sealing and dampening in construction or automotive applications attracted significant attention. Particularly in construction, solutions to create more energy efficient building envelopes using foam gaskets and membrane tapes in modern pre-fabrication and construction technologies are becoming increasingly popular.
A new focus area of the trade show was thermal management. Our leading silicone foam materials were among the top interests for booth visitors — especially our silicone Thermal Runaway Protection, Thermal Interface Materials, or Compression Pads, which were key topics as solutions for managing heat in EV batteries and other applications.
Tailoring for Maximum Advantage
It was remarkable to see such a wide range of applications and specific requirements where our materials can provide the solution. In many cases, existing products are available, but conversations with visitors at our booth highlighted that benefits and added value can be maximised through bespoke solutions. Contact your local expert and let us work together to find the right solutions for your challenges. Our team, along with dedicated R&D resources and processes, are ready to establish a reliable partnership.
