March 15, 2010
The ninth meeting of the Global Phenolic Resins Association (GPRA) was held March 10 and 11 in Shanghai, China. The GPRA discussed many topics of current relevance to the phenolic resin producers, including: development of a GRPA Quality Seal, the economic recovery in various regions of the world, the raw material trends in the phenolic resin industry, the size and attributes of the phenolic resin business in China, the current state of formaldehyde regulations around the world, and the challenges in doing phenolic resin business in China. In addition, a Symposium with Chinese Phenolic Resin Association (CPRA) was held on March 11.
This meeting was held in Shanghai to include more Chinese phenolic resin manufacturers, which it did. The CPRA was impressed with the Quality Seal which the GPRA will offer to members. This will help distinguish GPRA members, who follow all laws, from small companies that sometimes don’t. The group discussed the economic recovery around the world, raw material trends and estimates of the growth rate of the Chinese market for phenolic resins.
Several member companies presented perspectives on the challenges of making phenolic resins in China. Common points among the presentations were: RM sourcing and prices, EHS regulations and enforcement, difficulty retaining good employees, and difficulty in protecting Intellectual Property. The group also heard reports about formaldehyde regulations around the world. Europe is leading the low formaldehyde charge with the US close behind and China well behind. The industry fear is that the regulators will create impractically low limits for workplace exposure based on political motives rather than sound risk analysis.
The GPRA held a half day Symposium with the CPRA member companies. Joerg Talbiersky did a presentation on modernizing a phenolic resin plant based on his UCP experience. William Scheffer presented some information on wastewater treatment in a phenolic resin plant. Both topics were well received by the CPRA.
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 10 and 11 in Mumbai, India. The GPRA Chairmen are Dr. Joerg Talbiersky of UCP Chemicals, representing Europe, William Scheffer of SI Group, representing the Americas and Nuboro Yamawaki of Sumitomo Bakelite, 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