June 22, 2018

The XXIV. meeting of the Global Phenolic Resins Association (GPRA) was held June 6 and 7 in New Delhi, India.

Attendees enjoyed presentations on various topics affecting the industry, with a particular focus on market-related and technical as well as regulatory topics at this meeting.

At this meeting, eight companies were present and the participants expressed regrets that this time the China Phenolic Resin Association (CPRA) had to apologize. All attendees gave company updates and the most recently published news on new shareholding structures with Prefere Resins and SI-Group were commented by A. Knebelkamp (Prefere Resins) and T. Bezuidenhout (SI-Group).

The group heard regulatory updates on Formaldehyde, Phenol and Furfuryl Alcohol by J. Talbiersky (UCP Chemicals) and by T. Bezuidenhout (SI Group) for the Americas. In Europe, industry and regulatory bodies seem to move towards a consensus on the acceptance of a VOEL (Voluntary Occupational Exposure Limit) for Formaldehyde based on the SCOEL recommendation (0.3ppm). S.Yoon from Kolon Industries provided some insight into the regulatory environment in South Korea with focus on K-REACH, which is the Korean equivalent of REACH in Europe.

R. Theuer (Metadynea) gave a comprehensive overview about Formaldehyde-based resins in wood applications, focusing on regulatory trends, applications and strategic opportunities for both, Phenolic resins and Amino resins. ASK Chemicals (V. Böhm) provided the group with a good overview of 3D printing with focus on foundry applications. Technology has been developed and is available but not yet widely adopted. Typically, Phenolic and Furan resins are used and they are specifically in producing selected sand cores and moulds.

South American markets for Phenolic resins were introduced and addressed by Si-Group (T. Bezuidenhout). The current market outlook is seen as rather poor due to the economic crisis and political problems in Brazil and the state of the economy in Argentina and Venezuela as well. In contrast, the Indian Phenolic resins market as presented by V. Garg (Forace Polymers) is showing very healthy growth rates supported by several initiatives of the Indian government to propel GDP growth of India.

The meeting was concluded by presenting the economic situation and outlook in major markets of the world.

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 December 5 and 6 in Bangkok, Thailand. The GPRA Chairmen are Dr. Joerg Talbiersky of UCP Chemicals, representing Europe, João Paulo Porto of SI Group, representing the Americas and Sang Ho (“Shane”) Lee of Kolon Industries, representing Asia. Membership in the GPRA provides excellent value to its members as it is the only organization, which allows proper meetings between phenolic resin industries 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