July 31, 2013

Industry News & Announcements

Polyurethanes Conference Debuts New Workshop on Environment, Health & Safety
Attendees at the 2013 Polyurethanes Technical Conference can look forward to a new pre-conference workshop on the environmental, health and safety (EHS) issues related to diisocyanates. Hosted by the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council, the conference will take place Sept. 23-25 in Phoenix. Titled "Introduction to Environmental, Health and Safety Issues Relative to Diisocyanates," the workshop will be held on Sunday, Sept. 22, 1-5 p.m. During the workshop, industry experts will discuss the fundamental concepts of EHS regulations, industrial hygiene, toxicology, medical surveillance and exposure controls.

ASHRAE Names New Distinguished Lecturers

ASHRAE has named eight new Distinguished Lecturers who provide Society chapters with noted authorities and speak on relevant topics that impact the built environment industry. This marks the 14th year of the Distinguished Lecturer Program, with over 1,600 lectures given since the program began in 1996. The total 77 Lecturers for the 2013-14 Society year represent 13 countries, including Argentina, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States. These lecturers are available to present on 345 topics and speak a combined 10 languages. The eight new Lecturers are: Donald Beaty, P.E., James Coogan, P.E., Marlene Linders, Bjarne Olesen, Ph.D., Douglas Reindl, Ph.D., P.E., Roger Schmidt, Ph.D., Gordon Sharp and Donald Wulfinghoff, P.E. For more information, click here.

CPI and BPI Offer Free Sprayfoam Training Continuing Education

The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) and the Building Performance Institute, Inc., (BPI) added spray polyurethane foam (SPF) chemical health and safety training courses to BPI’s continuing education program. CPI’s training programs for High- and Low-pressure SPF Chemical Health and Safety are now eligible to contribute part of the requirements needed in earning a BPI credential. Each CPI course has been approved for 2-2.5 CEU by BPI.

Free Resources for Professionals, ASHRAE Annual Conference Highlights

ASHRAE wrapped up its Annual Conference with record breaking attendance and some major announcements, including the launch of a new online discussion platform, a milestone related to the Advanced Energy Design Guides (AEDGs) and a free download of its IAQ Guide.

BASF to Increase Global Capacities for Butanediol and PolyTHF

BASF will increase its global capacities for producing the chemical intermediate 1,4‑butanediol (BDO) and the BDO derivative PolyTHF® (chemical name: polytetramethylene ether glycol, PTMEG) within the coming two years. BASF’s annual BDO capacity will rise from 535,000 to 650,000 metric tons, its annual PolyTHF capacity from 250,000 to 350,000 metric tons. With respect to PolyTHF, BASF had already announced a capacity increase from 185,000 to 250,000 metric tons per year in August 2012. BDO and its derivatives are used for producing plastics, solvents, electronic chemicals and elastic fibers. The starting materials for the production of conventional BDO are natural gas, butane, butadiene and propylene. Click here for details.