Extrusion International 2-2023

14 Extrusion International 2/2023 INDUSTRY NEWS Successful Webinar Series goes into the Third Round  The SIGMA Technical Talks have proven themselves well over the past two years. But even today, there is still a need to learn for free and in a time-efficient manner. Therefore, there is a new edition of the webi - nar series in this spring with new and current topics from the world around SIGMASOFT ® . SIGMA Engineering is organizing weekly webinars again since late February. They are each about 60 minutes long and showcase inter- esting details and news about SIG- MASOFT ® . The individual areas of focus are as diverse as the applica - tions of this simulation suite. The webinar "DoE" demonstrates and discusses systematic virtual ex - periment planning and its auto- mated execution and evaluation. "Virtual Thermoplastics" covers how more accurate simulation results can be achieved through practical improvement of material laws. The event "Elastomer" focuses on the precise impact of vulcanization on component mechanics, presenting a novel approach. Further insights into MIM (Metal Injection Molding) are provided in the webinar of the same name. All webinars are live events and participants participate with questions. "The good feedback of the last years has encouraged us to relaunch this series of webinars for profes - sionals," says Timo Gebauer, CTO of SIGMA. "This year, in shorter events, we are presenting individual parts and newpossibilities of our software. Our customers - like us - have realized in the last two years that long trips can often be efficiently replaced by a web meeting. Therefore, the SIGMA Technical Talks will continue to be an offer for exchanging with us on tech- nology and innovation." Participation is free of charge for all interested parties. The dates take place in German and/or English. Events in other languages are al- ready in the calendar." Registration at 
SIGMA Engineering GmbH www.sigmasoft.de Symposium "Innovations using Fluoropolymers”  The debate surrounding the European Chemicals Agency's (ECHA) recently proposed ban on per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is red-hot. The symposium "Innovations using Fluoropolymers" of the German Plas- tics Center (SKZ) on May 3 and 4, chaired by Dr. Michael Schlipf, will offer, among other things, the opportunity to participate in a panel discussionwith experts on this topic. With the planned ban on PFASs, the EU could for the first time ban an entire group of substances with more than 10,000 chemicals – including fluoropolymers. This polymeric group of substances is part of the PFAS group exclusively due to the structural elements CF2 and CF3. Their chemical behavior differs substantially from that of the low-molecular PFAS representatives. Fluoropolymers are practically irreplaceable in their technical applications. In order to successfully meet the requirements of new trends, existing products are continuously developed and new products are created. In addition to product development, the continuous improvement of processing methods also plays a cen- tral role, especially with regard to economically ad- vantageous system solutions. Newly adjusted property profiles for fluoropolymers and the development of new compounds and material composites create mate - rial properties that were considered impossible until re - cently. All major newmegatrends such as e-mobility, 5G data transmission, green hydrogen or meeting the aims of the EU's "Green Deal" can only be realized through the use of fluoropolymers. All these innovations are de- veloped in compliance with complex regulatory frame- works and sustainability aspects as well as an end-of- lifecycle consideration. With Dr. Michael Schlipf, member of the board and chairman of the fluoropolymer group of the pro-K In- dustrieverband "Halbzeuge und Konsumprodukte aus Kunststoff" e.V., the international SKZ symposium"Inno- vations using Fluoropolymers" will be chaired by a prov- The SKZ symposium on May 3 and 4, 2023, will address the significant contribution of fluoropolymers in current megatrends and the ongoing PFAS debate (Image: SKZ)