By Liz White, UT staffFrankfurt, Germany-The German foamed plastics association, FSK eV, has decided to set up a regular meeting for its specialised group of foam converters. The first conference, which FSK intends to be an annual event, is set for 15-16 Nov 2006 in Stuttgart, Germany. Gerhard Hinzsch, the FSK board member in charge of the foam processors group, feels an urgent need for such a meeting, which will allow foam material manufacturers, producers of processing equipment and finishing machinery, as well as other suppliers to meet, together with customers for foam products. Such a meeting will improve dialogue between the various parts of the sector, and promote discussion on change in technical and market requirements, said the FSK's announcement. Better communication and good business contacts for the entire industry are other aims behind setting up a regular forum, the FSK added. Thomas Heinlein and Martin Eigenherr, Hinzsch's deputies, expect the meeting to allow all parts of the sector to exchange ideas and new technical developments and product innovations, in a climate which is seeing tougher and tougher competition of materials and applications. "We look for dialogue along the entire value chain," the foamers representatives said.The meeting will consist of technical lectures from the foam processing sector, accompanied by a small exhibition. The FSK says its specialised foam material processors group aims to in offer a complete overview of the industry. Further information and registration about the professional association of foamed plastics FSK e.V. Telephone 00 49 (0) 69-299 207 0, Fax 0040(0) 69-299 207 11 and www.fsk vsv.de Shown in the picture are FSK's specialist foam processor group, with speaker Gerhard Hinzsch front centre. "
