Tokyo welcomes the World Adhesive and Sealant Conference

The World Adhesive & Sealant Conference (WAC) is held every four years, alternating between America, Europe and Asia, to discuss various subjects related to adhesives and sealants. This time round, it will be held in Asia from October 25-28 and the host country will be Japan, which chairs the Asia Regional Adhesive Council (ARAC). This will be the second time for the Japan Adhesive Industry Association to host the event, following the 4th WAC that was held in Kyoto in 1992.

The event is organised by ARAC (Asia Regional Adhesive Council and the Japan Adhesive Industry Association and co-organised by the China Adhesives and Tape Industry Association; Korea Adhesive Industry Association; and the Taiwan Synthetic Resins & Adhesives Industrial Association; ASC (The Adhesive and Sealant Council, Inc) and FEICA (Association of European Adhesive Manufacturers).

WAC2016 is an international conference that aims to gather not only manufacturers of adhesives and sealants but also suppliers of raw materials, equipment manufacturers, and sales persons together in one place. Takayuki Nogawa, Chairman of ARAC President of Japan Adhesive Industry Association and the President of Nogawa Chemical Co Ltd says: "We look forward to wide participation from the world over. It is our wish that all participants deepen exchanges with one another and seize opportunities for new development at the Conference, and that the four-day conference is a highly productive one.

Sponsors so far include: Kaneka Corporation; ExxonMobil Chemical; Dow Elastomers; Sekisui Fuller Company; Asahi Glass Co Ltd; Asahi Chemical Synthetic Co Ltd; Eastman Chemical Company; Konishi Co Ltd; Sunstar Engineering Inc; Sumitomo Chemical Company/Sumika Chemtex Company Ltd; and Tilement Corporation.

The conference will explore the overall theme of ‘Creating Tomorrow – Environment / Creation / Evolution’ and will include the following topics:

• Environment: Life cycle considerations for adhesive and sealant industries: Impact of raw materials: Value of waste materials; 3R actions (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). Global regulatory trends: Green materials Adhesives and sealants developed for the protection against natural and human disasters (eg earthquake, typhoon and fire).

• Evolution: Adhesion evaluation technology in future: Innovative measuring equipment and analysis system or service.New application technology for adhesive and sealant. Raw material revolution – Natural materials, Nano materials, Shale oil, etc. Next-generation Adhesives and Sealants: Super structural, Stimulus-responsive, Ultra-high speed cure; Challenge towards new markets: Going to East, West, North and/or South?

• Creation: Innovative adhesive and its nature: New adhesion technology like adhesion without adhesives; Analysis method for adhesion; Influence of new manufacturing systems. Creating markets: What is still new? What still remains?

Education system: Better adhesion with better education; Databases; Instruction manual.

www.wac2016.org