The Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC) scored record attendance at its annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., May 1-4, 2001.

The Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC), Northbrook, Ill., scored record attendance at its annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., May 1-4, 2001. More than 450 people came to the Hilton at Walt Disney World Village to increase their knowledge and exchange information about pressure sensitive adhesive tapes.

The week was launched with PSTC’s Tape University Education Training Series PSA 102 course entitled Fundamentals of Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Tapes. Six faculty members presented 12 topics covering all areas of PSA tapes. More than 140 years of cumulative knowledge and experience were shared with 110 students during the two-day session.

Glen R. Anderson, PSTC’s executive vice president, states that Dennis Burns and Ray Coughlan of American Biltrite Inc. generated the concept for Tape University nine years ago. During the past nine years, Coughlan produced three different training programs in preparation for the new Tape University Series. It was Coughlan’s dream to advance the study of PSA tape techniques, fulfilling his goal this year as he retires from the industry. The second class, PSA 101, will be offered September 12-13, 2001, in Chicago.

Tech Session Breaks Records

Senior Chairman Dr. John Lind, Adhesives Research, says that the technical session, TECH XXIV — Sharing Global Pressure Sensitive Tape Innovations, held May 2-4, 2001, broke many records. It was the fourth global conference sponsored by PSTC with more than 18 countries represented. A record number of 24 technical papers were presented from eight different countries and five tape manufacturers. The Proceedings was 42% larger than usual, an indicator of the extent of research represented in the papers.

Some 55 industry suppliers to tape manufacturers welcomed the attendees at the Exhibitor Showcase Luncheon on Thursday afternoon. Fourteen technical posters were presented at the opening reception on Wednesday night where representatives from three universities were recognized for outstanding presentations: Seunh-ho Moon, research assistant, University of Akron; Nicole Baker, Ph.D., University of Connecticut; and Peter Drzal, doctoral candidate, Northwestern University.

Lind credited the four volunteer co-chairmen for much of the success of the meeting. They include John Tynan, Intertape Polymer Group; Krishan Sehgal, Ph.D., The Dow Chemical Co.; Michael Drewery, Ph.D., BASF; and John Johnston, PSTC Technical Advisor.

The Pressure Sensitive Tape Council is the only association representing the North American pressure sensitive tape manufacturers. The Council is made up of 28 member companies who manufacture pressure sensitive adhesive tapes.

For more information about the PSTC or its activities, contact Glen R. Anderson. Call 847-562-2530, fax 847-562-2631, e-mail ganderson@pstc.org or visit www.pstc.org.

Sidebar:

The Pressure Sensitive Tape Council (PSTC) is pleased to recognize Peter Gabriele, Adhesives Research, Inc., as winner of the 2001 Carl A. Dahlquist Award. The award is given annually for the most technically outstanding paper presented at PSTC’s annual technical seminar. Gabriele spoke on Infrared Imaging: A Complementary Tool to AFM for Adhesive Surface Analysis.

Gabriele has more than 25 years’ experience in adhesives and coatings research with multiple industry leaders. Currently, he is splicing technology manager for Adhesives Research, Inc. He holds several patents and has written numerous technical articles.

Throughout the technical seminar, a panel of experts evaluated papers on the criteria of topic choice, writing style, presentation, research and supporting documentation. The paper determined by the judges to be the most technically outstanding is then named the Carl A. Dahlquist Award winner. The award was created in honor of Dahlquist’s many contributions to the pressure sensitive adhesive tape industry.