A cure all RadTech

A CURE ALL

RadTech is the European industry association focused on promoting the development, use and benefits of UV/EB curing. Emma-Jane Batey spoke to secretary general Mark Macaré to gain an insight into its aims and its latest influential conference.

Founded in Switzerland in 1988 and with its headquarters in The Hague, RadTech Europe (RTE) is the European UV/EB curing industry association. With members across the markets of graphic arts, electronics, industrial coatings, automotive, medical, dental and cosmetics, as well as a vast array of emerging applications in other industries, it is clear that the wide reaching capabilities and potential of UV/EB curing are not to be underestimated.

RTE’s membership ‘provides access to a collaborative platform for knowledge transfer at educational and networking events and offers effective representation as a body in public affairs initiatives’. RTE’s members include raw materials manufacturers, equipment suppliers, formulators, universities, consultants and end-users.

Strategic changes

Packaging Europe spoke to RTE’s secretary general Mark Macaré to learn more about the association and its latest activities. Mr Macaré explained, “We have implemented a number of strategic changes to our association in recent months, for the benefit of our members and potential members. Our upcoming conference and exhibition is a great example of how we are becoming more focused on the end-user element of our industry. Essentially, we’ve expanded attention from our membership to the greater sphere of industries in which UV and EB technology is used or could be used, establishing closer links with relevant associations.

RadTech is dedicated to promoting radiation curing technology, with its members representing a variety of related products and applications. Mr Macaré continued, “UV/EB technology has many applications such as wood furniture, packaging, parquet flooring, fibre optics, architecture, automotive components, communications and so on. New trends we’re seeing include 3D printing and printed electronics as well as sterilisation. Another key development we’ve identified is the growth of UV-LED technology, with a growing market share in a number of existing applications as well as new applications opening up owing to its ‘instant on’ and low temperature characteristics.”

This clear understanding of industry trends and the impact they have on its members will be demonstrated at RTE’s upcoming ‘new look’ conference and exhibition. Due to be held at the Clarion Hotel Prague from 13–15 October 2015, the RadTech Europe Conference and Exhibition is the latest of the association’s long-running and well-respected industry events.

Combined exhibition and conference

RadTech has made a number of changes to its signature event, with the theme of the 2015 conference and exhibition ‘UV/EB NOW: New place, new format, new applications’. Mr Macaré explained, “Our conference and exhibition have now been integrated into one comprehensive industry under one roof, allowing for better networking than ever before: this new format reflects that a lot has changed since our last event in

2013. One aspect of this is that we have brought the organisation of the conference in-house; it was previously handled by an outside organisation. As such, rather than a stand-alone event it is now an integral part of RTE’s on-going programme.”

The aims of consolidating the conference and exhibition into one event are centred on ‘streamlining’ the experience for its participants. Mr Macaré noted, “We will certainly continue to provide leading technological content but what was originally a three parallel session has been condensed into a two-track set up – albeit with two extra sessions to accommodate the large response to our call for papers.”

Increased involvement

The event will also offer a great opportunity for increased end-user and student involvement through the application-focused sessions, as well as the dedicated stage for student presentations. Mr Macaré added, “This is the first time we’ve offered a platform for students at our event. We’ve got a great exhibition floor session planned specially for them: it’s so important to bring fresh blood into the industry. It’s imperative that we strike the right balance between the invaluable experience of our established members with the ideas and potential of new people and students joining our industry. I think our combined exhibition and conference is the perfect illustration of this aim and we’re certainly looking forward to it coming to life.”

With RTE offering an on-going programme of events and industry development, the combined conference and exhibition will be immediately followed by a debriefing and communication session to report on key findings and take up leads. Mr Macaré concluded, “It’s been pretty intense leading up to this event and we’re pleased to carry on like this! We’ve already got a seminar event scheduled for 30th September 2016 entitled ‘Safe use of UV and EB for food packaging’, which will be focused on the changing legislation and what new technological possibilities are emerging. Education is one of our main tasks, with regulatory developments of key concern to our members. It’s up to us to present the latest information in a clear, relevant and engaging manner.” n