SPE AUTOMOTIVE & COMPOSITES DIVISIONS ANNOUNCE DATES FOR 2nd COMPOSITES CONFERENCE

TROY, Mich. – [May 3, 2002] – The Automotive and Composites Divisions of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) International today announced the dates, themes, and focus for their second annual Automotive Composites Conference. The conference will be held September 12-13, 2002 at the Michigan State University (MSU) Management Education Center in Troy, Mich.

“The theme for this year’s conference will be ‘Composites: Global Technologies for Better Vehicles,’” said current Conference Chairman, Michael Connolly of Huntsman Polyurethanes. “Our focus will be on overcoming the barriers to increased composites usage – via cost and weight reduction, improved safety, and increased manufacturing productivity – as well as case histories of successful application developments both here and abroad. Thermoset and thermoplastic composites will be covered. We’ll also feature composites usage in passenger vehicles as well as heavy trucks and mass-transit applications.”

The conference will consist of technical paper sessions, VIP panel discussions, and keynote speakers. To date, seven sessions have already been announced: New Materials and Processes; Enabling Technologies (Simulation / Modeling / Design); Joining Composites; Painting & Finishing Composites; Biocomposites (Natural-Fiber Composites); Composites for Fuel Cells and Hybrid Powertrain; and Heavy Truck & Mass Transport Technology. Other sessions will be announced as they are formed.

The conference will consist of technical paper sessions, VIP panel discussions, and keynote speakers. To date, seven sessions have already been announced: New Materials and Processes; Enabling Technologies (Simulation / Modeling / Design); Joining Composites; Painting & Finishing Composites; Biocomposites (Natural-Fiber Composites); Composites for Fuel Cells and Hybrid Powertrain; and Heavy Truck & Mass Transport Technology. Other sessions will be announced as they are formed.

The conference will be held on Thursday, September 12 and Friday, September 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided both days. In addition, on Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. there will be an informal wine and cheese reception in which people can network and talk with VIP panel members, sponsors, and exhibitors. Exhibits from component manufacturers as well as materials, equipment, and technology suppliers will also be on display in the main hall throughout the conference. Cost to attend is $295 (USD) / person for SPE members and $395 (USD) / person for non-members. The charge for non-SPE members includes a 1-year membership in the organization. Special student registration is available at $100 (USD) / person.

Last year the conference drew international as well as domestic attendees, and nearly 20% were OEMs. Conference organizers expect to surpass last year’s attendance figure.

Authors interested in presenting a paper at the conference should e-mail an abstract to Dr. Larry Drzal of Michigan State University at drzal@egr.msu.edu or to Jay Raisoni of Delphi Automotive at jay.u.raisoni@delphiauto.com.

Companies interested in exhibiting, or sponsoring the event at either the Premier or Associate level should contact Tim Simko of PolyWheels at tsimko@polywheels.com.

Reader enquiries

Society of Plastics Engineers Automotive Division
1800 Crooks Road
Suite A
Troy, MI 48084
U.S.A.

+1.203.775.0471

spe@​plastics.org

www.speautomotive.com