International polymers in electronics conference

Presentations from major players in the polymer industry will allow electronic and electrical supply chains to learn more about new materials, manufacturing processes and application requirements when they meet at the first Rapra Technologies International Conference on Polymers in Electronics in Munich 30"“31 January, 2007.

The technical program, which will include coverage of the current and forthcoming EU legislation, will include papers from Albermarle Corporation, Ciba Speciality Chemicals, Henkel GmbH, Clariant, Fractal Systems, National Physical Laboratory and Dutch think tank TNO Science & Industry, amongst others.

Europe has seen a major change in 2006 with the introduction of the RoHS Directive. In 2007, this will be supplemented by the WEEE (Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive.

Both directives require extended producer responsibility. In the case of WEEE, the burden has been firmly placed on manufacturers to consider the entire life cycle of electrical and electronic products when choosing materials, including durability, upgrading, repairing and disassembly together with the use of easily recycled materials.

Unfortunately, more than half of all global manufacturers of electronic and electrical equipment are unsure how best to comply with these impending EU initiatives. The financial costs are anticipated to be enormous: the British government estimates it will cost companies there up to £455 m to comply with the WEEE Directive and individual companies could incur costs between 1 and 4% of sales.

The development of new manufacturing processes will be a key enabler for continued progress in the evolution of electronic products. Polymers play a vital role in all aspects of electronics and innovations are enabling applications and performances to be achieved that were undreamed of until recently.

For example, the use of nanocomposites and has greatly influenced developments in conductive additives. Similarly, nanoscale layers of conductive polymers can be applied to various surfaces to enhance radar absorption, electromagnetic shielding of electrostatic dissipation. New techniques such as direct writing and ink jet printing of polymers are set to revolutionise the ways in which electronics are made.