Leveraging Tradeshow Energy to Unroll New Possibilities with Passion and Promise
Attending tradeshow events such as the Foam Expo is vital for building and promoting a forward-thinking and future-focused culture within Saint-Gobain® Tape Solutions. During the event, Tape Solutions focused on highlighting our commitment to eco-conscious practices, innovative materials as well as new programs and processes that promote sustainability.
On Wednesday, June 21, Jeff Peet, Global R&D Manager for Tape Solutions, participated in a panel presentation on “Understanding and Developing the Incremental Process of Integrating Sustainability into Foams and Adhesives” and a 15-minute talk on “Reducing Carbon Footprints While Innovating in New Foam Materials.” These presentations were a unique opportunity to share our own strategies, practices and thought leadership towards the achievement of carbon neutrality. They also provided a platform to discuss and share ideas with other global organizations such as Dow Chemical and Epsilyte.
Through engagement with suppliers, customers and competitors on issues such as product lifecycle, carbon footprint analysis, reduction of hazardous ingredients and process cost we are closer to attaining solutions and alternatives that can both deliver sustainability and retain premier product functionality.
Often, foam and tape solutions are effective improvements to a product or project’s ecological footprint due to their many benefits, such as flexibility, durability, versatility and insulative and light-weight properties. Making products last longer, improving performance and enhancing recycling capabilities were focal areas. A key takeaway was that the path to sustainability is an incremental one that involves setting aggressive targets to:
- Decarbonize our raw materials in collaboration with our suppliers
- Electrify our processes and convert to renewable energy
- Work with our customers to enable circularity
- Focus R&D on sustainable products and markets, as they will be the growth drivers
- Engage and educate employees and the public on sustainability
Within Tape Solutions, we are making continuous advancements in terms of new product developments and innovations that serve the construction, industrial and mobility markets. We are calling on manufacturers, users and disposers of products to join forces and reduce environmental impacts. Events like Foam Expo provide the right platform to open the door to discussions, ideas and innovations, allowing us to unroll new possibilities for a greener future with both passion and promise.
A Spotlight on New Products
Foam Expo was co-located with the Adhesives & Bonding Expo. This allowed attendees to discover more possibilities for specific project and application needs within one location. Attendees were able to stop by our booth, #2602, to gain insights into a wide range of materials and solutions for the automotive, aerospace, industrial, construction and electronics industry.
Our team of experts shared technical details about:
- Norseal® Gasketing Foams, which are designed to manage vibration, provide cushioning and seal out elements. They are utilized in applications for EV battery packs, aerospace insulation gaskets, window glazing, walk-in refrigeration and cooler sealing, electronics and transportation.
- CHR® Adhesive Tapes, which are produced in a variety of substrates in combination with different adhesive systems like acrylic, silicone or natural rubber. They are ideal for demanding applications such as flame spray masking, composite molding, electrical insulation, electronic assembly and fabrication and more!
- Norbond® Acrylic and PUR Bonding Tapes, which are ideal in many interior and exterior bonding applications, as they reduce the need for mechanical fasteners and, as a result, save time, increase productivity and reduce costs.
- ThermaCool® Thermal Interface Products, which are ideal where thermal transfer, gap filling and strong dielectric isolation are needed to enhance the performance of electrical systems. They are utilized in applications within EV battery packs, aerospace thermal gasketing and gap filling, micro-processor thermal tapes and more!
Show attendees were on high alert to find materials for various applications. There were many questions about automotive applications, materials for EV battery packs and solutions to improve die-cutting and masking capabilities. Our team leveraged tradeshow energy to also spotlight our newest products, such as:
- Norseal F-15: A medium-low density silicone designed to deliver environmentally stable, flame-retardant performance for gasketing, insulation and dampening applications. F-15 offers excellent resistance to environmental conditions, making it an excellent choice for indoor and outdoor sealing/gasketing applications. This is often the product of choice in aircraft, aerospace, mass transit, defense and electronic applications due to its excellent compression set resistance.
- Norbond A7700: A high-performance black acrylic foam tape designed for securing trims, moldings, panels and other modern automotive surfaces with a durable bond for extreme conditions. This product combines performance durability with visual appearance, making it an ideal choice for demanding applications in interior and exterior environments where medium and high surface energy substrates are utilized.
Customized Solutions and Continued Collaboration
The 2023 Foam Expo provided an opportunity to engage with current and potential customers, channel partners and industry experts to discuss new capabilities and start the necessary conversations for tackling future challenges. The show events and discussions served as a testament to the foam industry’s commitment to sustainability, innovation and collaboration. By showcasing the latest developments in foam materials and manufacturing processes, the expo set the stage for a future where foam and tape products are not only efficient and high-performing, but also environmentally responsible.
Another key topic of discussion amongst booth visitors and our team was our ability, as a custom solutions provider, to develop the right product, customized to design specifications. We can leverage our regional and global R&D capabilities to help accelerate the drive toward greener energy solutions. Contact us today to discuss how we can support your current or future needs or find or develop the best tape materials together.
