Posted: August 13, 2008

Learn about nanotechnology and advanced materials in Europe

(Nanowerk News) The Belgian Trade Commission, through its Walloniatech program (www.walloniatech.org), is hosting a seminar on advanced materials, including nanomaterials on October 17 in Houston, Texas. Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium, is rapidly expanding in international markets with its development and manufacturing of new materials. Extensive expertise in this area has created solid cooperation between businesses, research centers and universities. Some of the most prominent European material manufacturing companies will share their strategies and ideas on this exciting technical and business challenge. Wallonia is already a recognized participant in this field and can provide significant business and technical collaboration benefits.
While providing a comprehensive picture of the advanced material industry in Europe and the US, academic and industrial speakers will address the following questions:
  • What is the technical and economic future of material and nanomaterial science in Europe?
  • What are the main current areas of applied research in Europe?
  • What are the main challenges facing the industrialization of nanomaterials in Europe and the US?
  • How can US companies benefit from existing European research and other European resources? What are the potential transatlantic synergies?
  • How and where can US companies find competitive technical and industrial resources to complement or accelerate their international expansion in the sector of the nanomaterial industry?
  • How can a US material-manufacturing company finance its expansion in Europe?
  • How can, and should, a SMB anticipate early-stage international expansion while operating in such a booming and promising sector as nanotechnology?
  • Schedule and Program
    Mr Florin CIONTU, CEO of NanoSPRINT, Grenoble (France) A Strategic Overview of Nanomaterials – Opportunities for US Companies in Europe
    Dr Guy DEBRAS, Global Polyethylene Research Manager, Europe Polyolefins Research Manager, Total Petrochemicals Research Center, Feluy (Belgium) Total Petrochemicals R&D strategy in the field of nano-structured polymers
    Dr Yves DAUPHIN, Solvay Research Center, Brussels, Belgium From Commodity Chemicals to Health Care: the potential of nanotechnologies for Solvay, a chemicals and pharmaceuticals company
    Prof. Andrew R. BARRON, Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston. Nanomaterials in the US: focuses and trends
    Mrs Agnès FLEMAL, GM of the Wallonia Space Logistics high-tech incubator, Liège (Belgium) Growing nano-materials into mega-companies
    Mr Jean-Claude JUNGELS, GM of Start-It Venture Capital company, Angleur (Belgium) Belgian Venture Capital can make nano-particles big
    Dr Walt TRYBULA, Texas State University – San Marcos Advantages to International Partnerships in establishing nanotechnology
    Source: Belgian Trade Commission