This volume contains 20 papers originally presented at Latex 2004, held April 20-21, 2004 in Hamburg, Germany. The conference covered both synthetic and natural rubber latex materials and additives, as well as developments in important end market applications such as adhesives, carpet backing, condoms, foamed products, gloves, nonwovens, paints, and textiles. Topics discussed include new materials and chemicals, machinery and equipment developments, standards and regulatory requirements, quality enhancements, and market trends.

Target Audience: Researchers and technologists in academia and industry who are concerned with latex science and technology.

Table of Contents:

Market and Industry Reviews:

An Economic and Statistical Overview of Rubber Latices

Global Latex Technologies and Markets

Raw Materials and Chemicals:

Additives for the Latex Industry

ZMTI Slurry and Its Effect on Five Phenolic Antioxidants

A High Performance Microbiocide System for Latex Protection

Safer Accelerators for the Latex Industry

Manufacturing, Technology, Processing and Quality:

De-Aeration Technology and Applications

Compounding and Manufacture of Thin-Wall Latex Products

Grinding in Agitator Bead Mills — Technology and Applications

Modern Synthetic Latex Production

Quality Aspects of Condom Manufacturing in the 21st Century

Fundamental Research in Latex:

Recent Technical Surveillance of Extractable Protein Content of Latex Condoms

New Fundamental Research with Natural Rubber Latex

Extractable Protein Levels of Latex Gloves Do Not Relate to Allergen Levels Found in Powder on Gloves

Surface Treatments of Improved Vulcanised Latex Adhesion: Current State of the Art

Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Layered Silicate Reinforced Natural (NR) and Polyurethane (PUR) Rubber Blends Produced by Latex Compounding

Standards and Regulatory Issues:

Natural Rubber Latex Condoms — Requirements Set Forth in International Standard vs. Real-Time Ageing Studies

Materials Competition & Developments in End Use Markets:

The Anatomy of Inter-Material Competition in Synthetic Latex Polymers: Japan and China

Nanocomposite Barrier Coatings

Quantum Leap Polymer Innovation Performance through Advanced Technology Management