International CEEES-Meeting of 100 Weathering Experts in Gothenburg

The 2nd European Weathering Symposium EWS was organized by the German Society for Environmental Testing GUS on behalf of CEEES in Gothenburg, Sweden, on June 15 to 17, 2005. The EWS follows the tradition of the Colloquia of Danubian countries on natural and artificial ageing of polymers. Launched in 1967 by four relevant institutes from Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Yugoslavia, the Colloquia of Danubian Countries were the only independent meeting - meanwhile Europe-wide - in the field of natural and artificial weathering of polymers for nearly 40 years. In the tradition of these colloquia the EWS is a meeting point for experts from industry and academy to learn from each other.

Main topics in 2005 were:

• Weathering of Plastics
• Weathering of Coatings
• Fundamental Investigations
• Reference Materials and Procedures
• Stabilization of Polymers
• Lifetime Prediction
• New Methods
• Analysis of Polymer Degradation

With 24 papers from 10 different European Countries the EWS was really a successful European event. With 6 contributions from the United States and 4 papers from Japan the EWS has established the strong link between the similar international conferences or Symposia in Japan, International Weathering Symposium and in the USA International Symposium on Service Life Prediction of Polymers. "It's my hope, that the Europeans support too these Symposia as much as possible" mentioned Thomas Reichert, Chairman of the conference during the introduction.

The Symposium was co-organized in Sweden by CEEES President Peter Eriksson, Chalmers in Gothenburg and Ignacy Jakubowicz, SP, Borås. Before opening the conference there was a 4 hour training course about 'Thermal Radiation and its Interaction with Polymeric Materials'. The course was held by Peter Trubiroha and Anja Geburtig.

"The next 3rd EWS is planned in Krakow, Poland, together with the University in Krakow. The date is proposed for the 12-14 September 2007" announced Sonja Holatka, secretary of GUS. To organize this event in the eastern part of Europe is adequate, the scientific committee will be increased further to widen the area of involved countries more and more.