CHICAGO — As the world’s largest producer of benzoate plasticizers, Velsicol will play an active role in the 2000 World Adhesives Conference. Michael Konci, global accounts director, serves as the chairman of the Raw Materials Session at the Conference, which is to be held in September in Barcelona, Spain.

As the chair, Konci has coordinated the session to include a look at the adhesives industry as a customer, as well as new raw materials, benefits for the adhesives industry, polymer physics and global availability.

Additionally, Velsicol will present three papers at the conference. Bruce Stanhope, Ph.D., applications development manager, will present A Guide to the Global Selection of Plasticizers for Water-Based Adhesives as part of the Supplier Track. Mark Holt, Ph.D., business director, will present Global Supply of Adhesives Raw Materials from a Small Company Perspective as part of the New Markets Track. Holt will also present updated information on last year’s Environmental Health and Safety Update on Benzoate Plasticizers during the Regulatory Affairs Session.

With benzoate ester manufacturing capabilities both in the United States and Europe, Velsicol offers the industry its proprietary line of Benzoflex® plasticizers. These high-performance products for use in water-based and hot melt adhesives offer improved performance and environmentally appealing characteristics.