Midwest Biopolymers & Biocomposites Workshop

 

About

With growing demand from consumers, government regulations to decrease pollution and the necessity to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, the need to understand biopolymers and biocomposites is critical. These materials have the potential to use a wide range of feedstocks, from corn to coconut fibers, making this emerging technology challenging.

This workshop will allow researchers and industrial partners to network with Midwest companies to design, formulate and process biopolymer and biocomposite products. The workshop will focus on:

Formulating

Protein-based polymers
Vegetable oil polymers
Adhesives
Composites
Polyesters (fermentation processes)

Processing

Pre-processing requirements
Injection molding
Extrusion
Compression molding
Casting

Characterization

Quantitative assessment of mechanical, thermal, and microstructural properties of biopolymers and composites

Other topics will include: application studies, raw material resources, post-production concerns and economic models.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is aimed at providing technicians, engineers, designers and companies wanting to incorporate this technology with the tools required to use biopolymers and biocomposites for product design and manufacturing. Whether you already use biopolymers, biocomposites or bioadhesives, or are considering their use, this workshop will allow you to interact with experts in the field and gain critical knowledge about this growing industry.

 

Attendees listen to keynote speaker Ramani Narayan’s opening remarks on the future of the bioplastics industry at the 2008 workshop.

 

Focus on Research and Industry

Whether you already use biopolymers or biocomposites or are considering their use, this workshop will allow you to interact with experts and gain critical knowledge about this growing industry.