27. intern. Flock Symposium 2024 in Düsseldorf

Beatrice Casati holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics and Management at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan and a Master in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Solvay University in Bruxelles. She is currently the CEO and Sales Director of Casati Flock, the third generation of the family business established in 1952. Committed to the future, she guides the company in producing textile powder from natural and synthetic fibers with a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation, with a vision of revolutionizing the flock market. This ambitious goal is not just about transforming the industry but also making flock something universally recognized, spreading its potential transcending its current niche status. Her recent academic achievements include a Master Degree in sustainable fashion management and also a standard course in sustainability management, enriching her expertise with her commitment to becoming a sustainability manager within her company to not miss the opportunity to keep Casati Flock aligned with the goals of Agenda 2030.  

Presentation at the Flock Symposium 2024

"Green Flock: navigating sustainability challenges in the flock industry"

This lecture explores the transformative impact of sustainability within the flock industry, addressing misconceptions and urging a reevaluation of choices. The lecture sheds light on the industry's challenges in the context of broader textile developments.

Key Points:

• Flock Essence: examine the common misconception surrounding flock as an unsustainable element and its challenges amidst global climate changes
• Informed Decision-Making: foster awareness for making informed choices, emphasizing the importance of understanding and reevaluating materials used in flock production
• Ecodesign Principles: embrace the principles of ecodesign and assess material compatibility as crucial factors for sustainable evolution
• Material Exploration: delve into recycled and alternative materials, challenging preconceived notions about their viability compared to traditional options
• Certifications: investigate the significance of certifications as essential benchmarks for ensuring sustainable practices in material management
• Innovative Approaches: engage with the latest developments in sustainable fibers, natural or recycled dyes, and how flock should approch them
• Collective Vision: a collective effort to pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future for the flock industry

Student (11. Grade) at Willstätter-Gymnasium Nürnberg
First exposure to Flock by Johannes Hofmann at the iENA Exhibition in Nürnberg

Presentation at the Flock Symposium 2024

„A new concept for flock density verification on a microscopic scale”

• The rough concept idea
• The utilization
• The weaknesses
• The requirements 

Michael Holzwarth completed a chemistry degree at the Technical University of Darmstadt and then received his doctorate at the University of Hamburg. He came to imat-uve in 2005, where he quickly became the leading expert in emissions testing and, from 2008, part of the laboratory management. Between 2015 and 2019 he was the Head of Testing and Validation (laboratory manager) for the emissions test lab in Stuttgart and from 2016 he also had global technical responsibility for odor and emissions testing for the whole imat group. M. Holzwarth has been the Head of Competence Center VIAQ, VOC and Odor since 2019.
As an expert on the VDI/DIN-Commission “Air Pollution Prevention”, he is involved in the development of international standards for the investigation of VOC emissions from vehicle interior materials and VOC analyzes of vehicles. As a DIN delegate, he represents the German mirror committee (NA 134-04-04) in working groups for ISO/TC 146/SC 6 "Indoor Air", which develops and revises the standards of the ISO 12219 and 16000 series.

Presentations at the Flock Symposium 2024

Fundamentals of odor perception – physiological and psychological aspects

This presentation provides insights into the physiological and psychophysical basics of human olfactory perception, and it explains what makes this sense so special. It shows why reducing the odor intensity of a given material is such a difficult challenge. In addition, the regional differences in the perception of certain smells are examined and explanations are given for the completely different evaluations.

Odor and emission requirements for vehicle interior materials

The basic principles of the various emission tests in automotive validation will be discussed in this lecture using important tests as examples. We will briefly look at corresponding automotive delivery specifications and explain where all the limit and target values come from. Finally, we look at what legal requirements currently exist and what current developments can be expected.

Mr. Andrea Levi studied Business Administration at Università degli Studi di Torino. After two years working at NST srl (flock printing Company) and after ten years as CEO support at AIGLE spa (equipment manufacturer for coating, flocking, lamination and coagulation), he becomes from 2003 shareholder and CEO of AIGLE Macchine srl (information available on www.aigle.it ). He is responsible for implementing existing plans and policies, improving the company's strength, supporting ongoing business transformation and setting future strategy.
Mr. Levi is also adviser at LDS spa (artificial leather manufacturer: coating, flocking, coagulation and finishing), Aigle Immobiliare srl and Immobiliare Silvania srl (both real estate companies). Mr. Levi is an active member of the board of Flock Association of Europe.

Presentation at the Flock-Symposium 2024

Car rubber profiles: new development in flocking automation

Among the various flocking machines on the markets are lines for flocking automotive rubber components. Over the years, these machines have benefited from progressive technical and technological evolution.
Above all, flock techniques have been used on rubber materials, plastic, metal, etc., for sectors such as automotive, packaging, and others.
From the positive outcomes of this evolution, there is additionally and increasingly a need to manage flocking lines automatically and with systems to manage the data collected from the electronic instrumentation used on the lines.
One area that allows for interesting developments are the automotive profile flocking lines, made of rubber moulded profiles off line. In brief, this involves flocking on dedicated lines the corners of extruded rubber profiles (EPDM, TPE and TPV) previously jointed by special injection presses.
Thus, automatic plants equipped with extensive sensor and robotic systems aimed at achieving:

• automation useful to increase productivity, reduce defects and maximize parameter control of the various technical functions used in the project;
• ergonomics to improve operators' working conditions. In this case, a study to improve the loading and unloading of parts in the line. A system that folds up the workpiece carriers is being considered to make loading/unloading easier;
• high productivity with low labour incidence;
• versatility to be able to change the profile type quickly;
• ability to collect process data through appropriate sensors and use of advanced communication systems to remotely enjoy and process the collected parameters.

These new advances enable the use and development of innovative products with particular reference to the issues of automation and process data management applied mainly (but not only) to the automotive sector, which is also globally one of the most developed markets (in fact, in addition to automotive, the other sectors of applicability are, for example, the aeronautical, naval, railway and construction sectors).

Alberto Sadun was born on 1966 has studied Economics at Florence University, worked for a short while in England. Since 1995 he’ve joined Aigle. Now is share-holder and Managing Director. Main actual tasks are sales & marketing and development of innovative projects. Aigle is one of the leading companies manufacturing flocking and coating plants. Flocking belongs to Aigle history since the beginning of the company’s

Presentation at the Flock-Symposium 2024

Hot-melt adhesive for flocking process, new development and new challenges, the way towards sustainability

The lecture is the presentation of recent tests effected with the cooperation of an adhesive producer Novotex. Using Neoflex (that belongs to Novotex Group) advanced adhesives, Aigle did new tests of flocking processes with very interesting results.
These are the main topics that the lecture is presenting:

• History of hotmelt adhesive test and application
• The new recent test in cooperation with Novotex
• The results of the effected tests
• Strong points: shorter flocking line (no oven need), sustainability, good performances, better recyclability,
• Weak points: no good results with spraying, Hot temperatures on some supports are not suitable, costs, low industrial application at the moment.  

Videos and results of the effected tests for the research will be showed during the lecture.