Intertek and BASF highlight key polymer industry challenges

10 Sep 2014

Basel, Switzerland – Intertek, a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide and BASF, a leading global chemical company will co-present a seminar covering the industry challenges of polymer stabilization, the use of additives and polymer analysis. Intertek and BASF are inviting interested parties from around the world to attend this training event. Sandro Laiso, Commercial Manager, Intertek Material Sciences “This seminar is an opportunity to learn from industry experts, gaining knowledge that can help companies to achieve that competitive edge in the market place so vital to success.”

The seminar will run on the 26 November 2014 and is aimed at delegates involved in research and development in the polymer and polymer application industries. Technical experts from BASF and Intertek will share their knowledge on major industry challenges such as polymer degradation, stabilization, physical properties and polymer analysis.

Polymer degradation can occur during processing, when polymers are subjected to heat, oxygen and mechanical stress. It can also occur during the lifetime of the material as oxygen and sunlight can cause permanent damage. The mechanisms of these reactions must be understood in order to apply preventative stabilisation processes. In particular, the use of additives substances which, when incorporated into the polymer formulation, can impart specific functional properties. The study of all these processes employs extensive use of modern instrumental analytical methods and various spectrometric, chromatographic and thermal analysis techniques are deployed in order to study polymer physical and chemical properties and the root cause of polymer failure.

Jean-Roch Pauquet, Head of Technical Application Center EMEA, BASF, “Bringing together the BASF and Intertek polymer technical teams forms a strong technical program for delegates learning how to overcome some of the industry’s biggest challenges such as polymer degradation.”

Intertek’s integrated research and development and manufacturing support teams offer significant expertise in polymer and plastic product development, testing, problem solving, process optimization, formulation, chemical analysis, regulatory compliance for industries where polymers, plastics and composites are used. Intertek plastics and polymer laboratories hold many industry and customer specific quality certifications including ISO 17025, Nadcap, and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) for regulatory work, as required.

Contacts:

Dr Lorna Kettle, Marketing Manager,
Intertek Life Sciences
Tel.:+44 161 721 1476
Email: lorna.kettle@intertek.com

About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of about €74 billion in 2013 and over 112,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

About Intertek
Intertek is a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value for its customers by helping improve the quality and safety of their products, assets and processes. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 36,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies’ success in the global marketplace, by helping customers to meet end users’ expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.com.