Published: 9/17/2024
(Akron, Ohio) – September 17,2024 - Smithers, a leading provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services, announces that
Jeff Andrasik, General Manager of Product Testing, Smithers Materials Science and Engineering Division, will be speaking at the
Hose & Belt Manufacturers Conference in Schaumburg, Illinois, on October 1 and 2. Smithers is also sponsoring the conference.
Andrasik’s presentation is titled “Preventing Unwanted Consequences: Applying Testing to New Material Choices.” Andrasik will provide an overview of current issues affecting polymer-based material choices, including sustainability and legislation on PFAS chemicals. He will discuss how increasing demand for sustainability affects material performance and how methodical testing programs can assist in reaching new material usage goals while reducing unintended consequences in product performance.
“Moving away from potentially harmful chemicals and using more sustainable raw materials is a positive trend, for users and the environment alike,” said Andrasik. “But changing material formulations is challenging and can have unintended consequences. Validation testing is an excellent tool for manufacturers seeking to incorporate more sustainable materials while continuing to meet high expectations for performance.”
Andrasik’s presentation is scheduled for 11:00 AM CDT on Tuesday, October 1. Those interested in attending the conference can
register here.
Andrasik leads a team of engineers at two product testing laboratories in Akron, Ohio and Lansing, Michigan. He has over twenty years of experience testing rubber and plastic components against ASTM, ISO, SAE, Fed, MIL, FDA, OEM and other specifications and has developed custom test protocols for a wide variety of industries and applications. He is a member of the NAHAD Hose Safety Institute Advisory Council and has presented at numerous conferences on product testing best practices. Andrasik earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Polymer Engineering from the University of Akron.
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About Smithers:
Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Akron, Ohio, Smithers is a multinational provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services. With laboratories and operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, Smithers supports customers in the transportation, life science, packaging, materials, components, consumer, cannabis, dry commodities, and energy industries. Smithers delivers accurate data, on time, with high touch, by integrating science, technology, and business expertise, so customers can innovate with confidence.
