Rubber Division, ACS Announces New Partnership to Expand 2011 Rubber Expo to include

 Advanced Materials in Health Care

Akron, OH - With the rubber and polymer industries expanding into new biomaterials and providing products to the health care industry, the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS) has formed a new partnership to expand its Rubber Expo to include Advanced Materials in Health Care.  The inaugural "Rubber Expo and Advanced Materials in Health Care" show will take place October 11-13, 2011, at The International Exposition Center (I-X Center) in Cleveland, Ohio.

After receiving strong endorsements from Austen Bioinnovation Institute in Akron's (ABIA) President and CEO Dr. Frank Douglas; BioEnterprise Inc. President and CEO Baiju Shah; and dean of The University of Akron College of Polymer Science & Polymer Engineering Dr. Stephen Cheng, the Rubber Division, ACS decided to move ahead with this historic new direction for international expositions in Cleveland.  This partnership currently includes the Austen Bioinnovation Institute, BioEnterprise Inc., The University of Akron College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (NEOUCOM), Ferris State University, Cleveland I-X Center and the Cleveland Medical Mart and Convention Center.

As noted in a recent article by Cleveland Plus, Northeast Ohio's biomedical industry has grown by 37% in the past five years, with the region's professional, scientific and technical services growing at 79% during the past 15 years.  This has been augmented by the growth of biomedical corridors in Northeast Ohio along with the introduction of new enterprises such as the Austen Bioinnovation Institute and The University of Akron's Polymer Innovation Center.

"Ohio's biomedical industry numbers over 1,200 biomedical companies and continues on a fast-growth pace; there are many opportunities for advanced materials companies to participate in the industry, both as suppliers as well as end product manufacturers," said Baiju Shah.

Headquartered on The University of Akron campus with a long-term partnership with the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, the Rubber Division, ACS has a 32-year successful history of holding one of the largest expositions in Cleveland.

"This new direction is a natural extension that will provide a proven venue every two years in Cleveland for international rubber, polymer, biomaterials and other companies relating to the health care industry to showcase their organization, products and services," explains Ed Miller, executive director of Rubber Division, ACS.  "This new venue retains all of the benefits for traditional rubber and polymer companies to exhibit, while offering new benefits to those in the biomaterial and health care industries to join the show."

"By expanding the conference, the Rubber Division recognizes the tremendous potential in using biomaterials to find innovative solutions to significant clinical problems," explains Dr. Frank Douglas, who heads the ABIA, a partnership of Akron Children's Hospital, Akron General Health System, NEOUCOM, Summa Health System and The University of Akron.  "Given our focus on patient-centered innovation and commercialization at the intersection of biomaterials and medicine, we applaud the Rubber Division for fostering a collaborative environment."

At the same time, the exposition will continue to offer technical symposia and educational workshops in rubber and polymer research, applications, technology and business while adding others in advanced biomaterials, research and applications relating to the healthcare industry.  Dr. Judit E. Puskas, professor of polymer science and integrated bioscience at The University of Akron, is leading a distinguished group from NEOUCOM, Ferris State and The University of Akron to develop the technical and educational programs for advanced materials in health care.

"We are very excited about this new partnership and the inclusion of the Advanced Materials in Health Care to begin with the October 2011 show," said Dr. Stephen Cheng. "This is a win-win situation for all of the entities involved and we are looking forward to many years of success and growth."

More information and the floor plan are available on the Rubber Division's website at www.rubber.org.  Additionally, information on becoming an exhibitor can be obtained through Beth Berkheimer, Rubber Division exposition & meetings manager, at 330-972-7424 or bethb@rubber.org.   As the event draws nearer, technical symposia, educational workshops, registration and housing information will be available via the website.