RDAbbott announces organic elastomers 360° technical training event focused on sustainability and troubleshooting

Barberton, OH – RDAbbott, in collaboration with Akron Rubber Development Laboratory (ARDL), will host Organic Elastomers 360°, a two-day hands-on training event for rubber industry professionals, April 28–29, 2026, in Barberton, Ohio.

This technical program will feature live demonstrations, facility tours, and interactive troubleshooting sessions designed to help participants better understand how formulation, processing, and testing variables influence real-world elastomer performance. More than a dozen expert instructors from across the rubber industry will provide training and be available to answer participants’ questions.

In addition to RDAbbott and ARDL, participating companies include Alpha Technologies, ARNOLD Machine, Cancarb Limited, Hallstar, ITW Pro Brands, NovationSi, Parker Lord, RDC S.r.l., Rubber Advocates, and TSE Industries. These industry leaders will provide materials, technical resources, and access to specialists with deep experience in organic elastomers.

Day 1 of this free event will take place Tuesday, April 28, at the ARDL facility, located at 75 Robinson Avenue in Barberton, Ohio, from 8:00 a.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m. Training topics will include sustainability trends and innovations, compound cost-reduction strategies, functional rheology, and a live rheology demonstration. Participants will also tour ARDL’s testing laboratories and learn about specialized evaluation methods for real-world performance challenges.

Following the Day 1 program, attendees are encouraged to register for and attend the Ohio Rubber Group Spring Technical Meeting from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Missing Falls Brewery in nearby Akron. Additional details are available on the organization’s website.

Day 2 will be held Wednesday, April 29, from 8:00 a.m. to approximately 4:30 p.m. at RDAbbott’s Service Center, located at 25 Foundation Place in Barberton. Sessions will cover best practices for improving molding efficiency, custom automated systems to meet your exact specifications, and troubleshooting strategies for rubber-to-substrate bond failures. The program will also include a plant tour and mini supplier expo. After formal training concludes, presenters and technical staff will remain available for one-on-one discussions.

Attendees are encouraged to bring failed parts for evaluation during dedicated troubleshooting sessions.

Space is limited, and industry professionals are encouraged to register early. While there is no cost to attend, advance registration is required. To learn more or reserve a seat, visit: https://rdabbott.com/news/organic-elastomers-360/