October 31, 2014
The seventeenth meeting of the Global Phenolic Resins Association (GPRA) was held October 29 and 30 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Attendees enjoyed presentations on many topics impacting the industry, with a particular focus on wastewater treatment, air emission control and phenol market dynamics at this meeting. Topics included: Phenol Supply and Demand in Asia (a special report by Mitsui Chemicals), Air Emission and Control with reports by SI Group, Kolon Industries and the CPRA, Wastewater Treatment reports by SI Group, UCP, AICA, Kolon Industries and the CPRA, Transport of Dangerous Goods, the economic status in various regions of the world, the raw material trends in the phenolic resin industry and the current state of formaldehyde regulations around the world.
This meeting was held in Jakarta, Indonesia to allow easier access for Asian phenolic resin manufacturers. The group heard Company updates from all attendees including Momentive, AICA, UCP, Kolon Industries, Prefere Resins, Sumitomo Bakelite, SQ (Shandong Shengquan Chemical) and SI Group. The group continues to share presentations relating to current and best practices in Environmental, Health and Safety management within the industry.
The topic of Wastewater Treatment in the phenolic resin industry was emphasized at this meeting. The group viewed presentations from SI Group, UCP, AICA, Kolon Industries and the CPRA on their wastewater treatment facilities. While many of the processes used are similar, there were some interesting differences including the endpoints required by the local authorities.
Air Emission and Control was another point of emphasis with reports by SI Group, Kolon Industries and the CPRA. There are substantial differences in the control requirements in different Countries. In some locations, RTO or equivalent are required to get to the authorized limits, in others carbon absorption is acceptable and in some the standard is RACT (Reasonably Available Control Technology). Of note is that changes in Chinese standards are essentially forcing RTO or equivalent by 2016.
The group saw presentations about the economic situation in various parts of the world, including several that showed Chinese growth slowing to about 7.5% and Europe improving from a negative growth position to perhaps 1-2% growth in 2015. Latest trends in the key raw materials of phenol, methanol and US shale gas were also discussed. For this meeting, Mitsui representatives gave a report on Phenol: Supply and Demand in Asia. This report was quite interesting to the group to help understand the global dynamics of the large number of phenol projects coming on stream in China.
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 June 3 and 4 in Singapore. 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 Chemicals, 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