Brief introduce - lectures 26. Symposium (March 2022, Barcelona)

PROGRAM

Our membership day will take place on March 23, 2022

On March 24th and 25th, 2022 you can expect lectures from the following areas:

Michael Stark
Flock and the Microplastic Issue

The prevention of the environment from litter of resistant plastic has become an objective for society and politics in the last few years. The European Commission asked in that perspective the European Chemical Agency ECHA to prepare within REACH a restriction dossier for microplastic added to consumer products. 
ECHA’s proposal for a restriction was already published in January 2019 and revised in December 2020 after public consultations and discussions within competent bodies, however the final draft for a regarding regulation by the Commission is still pending.
The very broad definition in ECHA’s proposal indeed includes flock, however the manufacture of flock and its use for flocking – both as articles – are not included in the scope of the restriction and are without any duties. However, a different use of flock as short fibre in any preparation/mixture might be under the scope and would be restricted or would have reporting obligations in the current proposal.
The presentation introduces the aspect of textile fibres within the microplastic issue, estimates their emission into the environment, discusses their possible harm, presents the common definition of microplastic and ECHA’s proposal under the aspects of the relevance for flock and finally the affectedness of flock from the intended restriction. 

Florent Cottin / DOMO Performance Fibres (Sales Development Manager since 2018)
AMNI SOUL ECO®, the only biodegradable polyamide 6.6 fibers in the world

As the textile industry embraces sustainable development concerns, regulatory push and economic pull are driving manufacturers to seek ways to reduce their impacts on the environment and decreasing the amount of waste left to future generations.
AMNI SOUL ECO®, developed by Rhodia – Solvay group,  produced and distributed by Domo Performance Fibres, is the only polyamide 6.6 fibres in the world offering an enhanced biodegradability while maintaining the standard characteristics of nylon 6.6 such as durability, long life, high tenacity, soft touch and abrasion resistance.
As demonstrated by laboratory biodegradation tests in accordance with ASTM D5511*, Amni Soul Eco® fibres biodegrades in around 5 years after disposed of properly in landfills, compared to more than 50 years for synthetic fibres in general.
*Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic -Digestion Conditions (equivalent to ISO 15985).
Like other biodegradable products, once it is in the landfill, Amni Soul Eco®, breaks down into organic matter (biomass) and biogas; both of these can then be exploited as new environmental resources as well as being used to cogenerate electricity.

About Performance Fibres Business Unit:

Based in Valence (France), DOMO Performance Fibres is the Fiber Business Unit from DOMO Chemicals, a leading producer of high-quality engineering nylon materials for a diverse range of markets, including the automotive, textile, food, chemicals and electronics industries.

The lecture will introduce the benefits of the Amni Soul Eco® Fibres:  

• Why is Amni Soul Eco® sustainable? How does it help the environment?
• How does it work? What are the necessary conditions for its biodegradation?
• What could be the uses for the Flock industry?

Olav Schnier (Schnier Elektrostatik GmbH)
Geometries in electrostatics - 3D printing opens up completely new possibilities

In electrostatic flocking, voltages of up to 80,000 V are usually used. These high voltages always pose great challenges to developers of flocking equipment.
The presentation from Schnier will show the possibilities for flocking devices created by the use of modern 3D manufacturing techniques.
Special advantages arise in the area of insulating distances, dielectric strength and ergonomics of hand flocking devices.
Dielectric strength is a decisive factor in high-voltage technology.
Surprisingly, materials from 3D printing are also convincing here.

Dr. Martin Strangfeld (FILK Labor Freiberg, Forschungsinstitut für Leder und Kunststoffbahnen)
Friction behaviour of flocked seals

The flocking of sealings to minimize the frictional forces in the contact is a common method in sealing technology.
Flocked seals are commonly used in automotive, for doors, glove boxes, hat racks, and storage compartments. They have a great influence on the perception of the quality of the vehicles by the vehicle passengers.
Today's customers demand that, for example, moving door windows slide almost frictionless and noiseless. Despite the optimizations made in this area, under certain mechanical and climatic conditions, unwanted friction-induced noise phenomena repeatedly occur in the contact of the seals. The lecture should address this scientifically and economically significant problem and provide results through systematic, friction-based analyses, which characterize the flocked seal as a source of noise. So far, it is unknown what effects the characteristic of the flock and the properties of the friction partner have on the friction behaviour.

Kirsten Hardie (Associate Professor National Teaching Fellow, Arts University Bournemouth, UK.)
Flock feels good!

Flock has a number of key qualities and benefits that make it ubiquitous. For many people, flock is aesthetically pleasing as it is a delight to have and to hold. Flocked objects can appeal to many consumers who may readily place them in their homes and enjoy their allure. From flocked wallpaper to packaging, fashion, toys and books, flocked furry surfaces can feel and look good. Flock’s decorative, colourful and tactile qualities thus enhance a myriad of objects. Through an exploration of flock’s various qualities and applications, and the consideration of historical and contemporary flocked objects, how flock is indeed fun and can be most pleasurable is revealed and celebrated. This study considers flock within the contexts of design and notions of aesthetic judgement. It offers a colourful consideration of the aesthetic appeal of flock.

Michael Wagner, CEO (Maagflock GmbH)
Sustainability and energy management in the flock industry

"A sustainable development is one that satisfies the needs of the present without compromising the conditions of future generations." 
Albisser, E. (2020): https://www.technik-und-wissen.ch/industrie-nachhaltigkeit-und-oekodesign.html

The presentation "Sustainability & energy Management in the flock industry" by Michael Wagner, CEO of Maag Flock, at the 26th International Flock Symposium of the Flock Association Europe in Barcelona is about different sustainability approaches and efficient energy management in mechanical engineering and the flocking industry.
The term sustainability is on everyone's lips as a current megatrend. Many companies are developing various sustainable strategies and Corporate Social Responsibility concepts in order to respond to the sustainability requirements of their customers.
During his presentation, Michael Wagner will show various application examples and possible concepts of how this trend can be profitably introduced and implemented for customers in the flocking industry.
These include, a holistic plant concept in consideration of the factors of energy and cost efficiency across the entire value chain, process optimization, closed-loop models and the use of sustainable raw materials.
In addition to the benefits that such concepts & strategies have for sustainability, they also serve to increase productivity, reduce costs and increase the longevity of products.

David Capdevila (Velutex Flock S.A.)
Flock. Our Future has a History.

We will analyze the recent and possibly future applications in the flock industry from a historical perspective.  Since the development of an strong flock industry in Europe, starting during the 40’s last century, different major players in France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland ,  Italy & UK have strongly impulsed the awareness of technical solutions in sectors such as Automotive, Packaging, Textiles and many new applications in Industry. Research and Development of machinery, fibres, adhesives and  also a close cooperation with technological centers and certifying agencies lead to a Golden Age of the Flocking Business at the end of XX Century. During the presentation we will share some treasured documents from that period.
The European Flock Association and its Associates have been always very important to impulse, promote and give awareness about this niche product . Now, after a Global Pandemic situation that we are still living, new challenges and opportunities in Flocking Business are appearing. We would like to bring an optimistic and futuristic perspective to the attendants to this symposium in order to work together in the 2030’s Future for Flock.

Thomas Starsetzki (Kissel & Wolf GmbH)
Round table discussion - "Flock supports the fight against Covid-19"