The sixteenth meeting of the GPRA

June 16, 2014

The sixteenth meeting of the Global Phenolic Resins Association (GPRA) was held June 11 and 12 in Hanoi, Vietnam.Attendees enjoyed presentations on many topics impacting the industry, with a particular focus on wastewater treatment at this meeting.Topics included: Alternative Feedstocks: Lignin, Measurement of Airborne Contaminants in the Workplace, the economic status in various regions of the world, the raw material trends in the phenolic resin industry, the current state of formaldehyde regulations around the world, and Wastewater Treatment reports by Kolon, Momentive, and UCP.

This meeting was held in Hanoi, Vietnam to allow easier access for Asian phenolic resin manufacturers.Unfortunately, recent tensions between China and Vietnam resulted in the inability of the Chinese contingent to attend the meeting.The group heard Company updates from attendees including Momentive, AICA, UCP, Kolon and SI Group.

The topic of Wastewater Treatment in the phenolic resin industry was emphasized at this meeting.The group viewed presentations from Kolon, Momentive and UCP on their wastewater treatment facilities.A highlight was that, where UCP used to send their waste to the local municipal Publically Owned Treatment Plant (POTW), the UCP operation was so superior that now the POTW sends their waste to UCP for processing.

A presentation on Measurement of Airborne Contaminants in the Workplace was viewed, including examples from SI Group.The group continues to share presentations relating to best practices in Environmental, Health and Safety management within the industry. A presentation on Alternative Feedstocks: Lignin was made by UCP.It showed some of the latest developments which offer promise to increase the commercial uses of lignin.

The group saw presentations about the economic situation in various parts of the world, including one by Momentive that highlighted the expected 2015 formation of the AEC (ASEAN Economic Community). The AEC is seeking to form an economic organization like the EU. Latest trends in the key raw materials of phenol and methanol were also discussed.

The meetings were held in the presence of the Treuhandbuero, an independent consulting group that ensures that all discussions comply with all national and international laws.All members have signed the anti-trust compliance documents.

The next meeting of the GPRA is scheduled for November 19 and 20 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The GPRA Chairmen are Dr. Joerg Talbiersky of UCP Chemicals, representing Europe, William Scheffer of SI Group, representing the Americas and James Kim of Kolon Industries, representing Asia. Membership in the GPRA provides excellent value to its members as the only organization which allows proper meetings between phenolic resin industry representatives from around the globe.

The Mission of the GPRA is:"To enhance the reputation of the global phenolic resins industry with all its stakeholders by highlighting the unique contribution offered to society by these resins and to foster safe management of phenolic resins throughout their lifecycle"

Further information may be found on the GPRA website at www.gpraweb.com. Questions or comments related to the GPRA may be sent to:

Dr. Nausch Unternehmensberatung GmbH
- Treuhandbuero -
Hallbergstrasse 5
D-40239 Duesseldorf
Tel.: +49-(0)-211-68 78 940
Fax: +49-(0)-211-68 78 935
www.dnu.eu
treuhandbuero@dnu.eu