In recent years greater awareness of the dangers of bacterial growth and food-borne pathogens, global concerns over hospital acquired infections and conditions such as the so-called "sick building syndrome" have boosted the consumption of biocides on a global scale.  Nowadays consumer demand dictates that biocides are regularly used in materials such as plastics, textiles and surface coatings to prevent microbial deterioration, enhance function and provide hygienic effects. 

However, regulatory pressure has also become a driving factor for the overall specialty biocides market in Europe.  Product replacement and switching is now widespread due to the impact of the Biocidal Products Directive (BPD) and REACH which both present major challenges for suppliers of biocides and formulators of treated articles - namely the rationalisation of many product lines and the removal of a large number of active ingredients from the market.

Both the increased consumer demand for products with hygienic benefits and improved performance, and the changing regulatory landscape have led to the formulation of many new biocidal blends.  With this in mind iSmithers is bringing the second international conference on Biocides in Synthetic Materials to Berlin in 2010. 

We are currently inviting papers with the following topics being especially welcome:

• Practical presentations on material and biocide choice, types and applications
• Regulatory updates on the Biocidal Products Directive (BPD) and REACH and their impact on the biocides sector
• Update on regulation relating to the testing of treated articles
• Anti-bacterial agents in packaging and methods to assess their effectiveness
• Organic and inorganic antimicrobial agents
• The impact of recycling
• Surface biocides for food contact applications
• Biocides in textiles both to deliver hygiene benefits and control of odour
• Extenders, fillers, pigment and plastics producers
• Risk assessment of biocides
• Medical device applications
• Case studies of the effects of biocides on the properties and performance of materials
• Processing of biocides
• High performance masterbatches
• Case studies of applications e.g. healthcare and medical devices, construction, active packaging, sportswear etc
• Migratory biocides
• Sustainable antimicrobial polymers

If you are interested in presenting a paper, please send a title, short summary, speaker name(s) and company name(s) to Alix Reeves email areeves@ismithers.net or Fax +44(0)1939-252416 by the deadline of 26 March 2010.

Presenting authors at Biocides in Synthetic Materials 2010 will be entitled to free registration on both days of the event including meals, refreshments and a copy of the proceedings.

Conference Prices

Companies sending one or two delegates:

€799 + VAT at 19% per delegate before 20 July 2010

€1099 + VAT at 19% per delegate after 20 July 2010

Companies sending three or more delegates:

€699 + VAT at 19% per delegate before 20 July 2010

€999 + VAT at 19% per delegate after 20 July 2010

Venue Information

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