Specialty chemicals group Lanxess is taking part in the 3rd Euchems chemistry congress, the largest of its kind in Europe, which is being held in Nuremberg from Aug. 29 to Sept. 2. The company is one of the main sponsors of the event, whose theme is "Chemistry - the Creative Force".

The congress will focus on the latest research findings in innovative materials, raw materials, sustainability, life sciences at a molecular level and catalysis. The organizer, the European Association of Chemical and Molecular Sciences (Euchems), and the host, the German Chemical Society, are expecting around 3.000 participants from research, education, industry and administration.

Lanxess experts will be presenting innovative products and research findings. Thomas Früh from the technical rubber products business unit will examine the optimization of car tire properties using the rubber additive nanoprene in his presentation "Multiblock copolymers versus crosslinked organic nanoparticles". Nanoprene can significantly improve wet grip and abrasion resistance while keeping other tire parameters at high levels. It also helps to increase the lifespan of tires and reduce rubber particle emissions.

In her presentation "Molecular engineering of butadiene rubber to meet future tire demands", Heike Kloppenburg from the butadiene rubber business unit will be describing how the outstanding properties of neodymium-catalysed butadiene rubber can help cut the rolling resistance of car tires.

In her talk "Invisible danger - method for identification of bacteria in industrial products", Monika Lamoratta (material protection products business unit) will be introducing a new, non-culture-dependent method of identifying microbial communities in emulsion paints.

Jochen Endtner, an expert from the semi-crystalline products business unit, will be examining the areas that should be considered when developing flame-retardant polyamides in his presentation "Applied research in flame retardant engineering plastics". Numerous requirements need to be taken into account relating to factors such as insulation, heat resistance and fire behavior.