Industry News & Announcements

>>Report on Polyurethane Chemicals Released
Source: ialconsultants.com
IAL Consultants announced the publication of the first edition of its report on the markets for Polyurethane Chemicals and Products in the Americas (North America and South America).

 

Total production of polyurethane products in the Americas is reported to have been 3.98 million tonnes in 2013 compared with 3.84 million tonnes in 2012. By 2018 this figure is forecast to be 4.78 million tonnes, equivalent to an average growth of 3.7% p.a. over the next five years.
 
The polyurethane industry remains larger by far in North America, which is dominated by the USA, but expected growth rates are strongest in the developing South American market, at 4.7% p.a. over the forecast period. Download the full report here.

>>The White House Council and EPA Announce Award Winners
Source: epa.gov
The White House Council on Environmental Quality, in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, announced the winners of the annual Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE) and President’s Environmental Youth Award, (PEYA) recognizing outstanding student leaders in environmental stewardship and K-12 teachers employing innovative approaches to environmental education in their schools. In a ceremony at the White House, 17 teachers and 60 students from across the nation are being honored for their contributions to environmental education and stewardship.

Additionally, the National Environmental Education Foundation and EPA announced the winner of the 2014 Bartlett Award. This additional recognition is given each year to an exceptionally outstanding PIAEE award winner, who can serve as an inspiration and model to others.

>>Asia-Pacific Clean Air Partnership Launched to Fight Global Air Pollution
Source: epa.gov
The Cities Clean Air Partnership, the first major clean air certification and partnership program to encourage air quality protection in cities across the Asia-Pacific region, was launched Aug. 8 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration, Clean Air Asia, and the Bay Area and South Coast Air Districts. Read more here.

Learn more about Clean Air Asia.

Learn more about EPA’s work in the Asia-Pacific region.

>>U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Updates
Source: energy.gov 
The August 2014 issue of the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Update newsletter is now available and includes:

--Top Innovation Spotlight on Quality Management System Guidelines
--The August webinar, continuing our series on high performance enclosures
--New Code Compliance Briefs that help to facilitate market adoption of building innovations
--Residential success stories—community-scale, affordable high performance homes
--New DOE Energy Conservation Standards for residential furnace fans
--Zero Energy Ready Home technical trainings

 >>Federal Report Highlights Five Years of Progress Providing Communities with Affordable Housing, Efficient Transportation and Economic Growth
Source: epa.gov
In celebration of the fifth anniversary of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released "Five Years of Learning from Communities and Coordinating Federal Investments," a report demonstrating how the three agencies are cooperating to help communities provide more housing choices, make transportation systems more efficient and reliable, and create vibrant neighborhoods that attract business development and jobs while protecting the environment.
 
>>ACCA and BPI to Co-Present 3rd Annual Building Performance Forum
Source: bpi.org
Home and building performance contractors will convene in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the 3rd Annual Building Performance Forum on October 7-8, 2014. This year, the event will be presented by ACCA the Indoor Environment & Energy Efficiency Association, and the Building Performance Institute (BPI) in conjunction with their media partner, the Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News.
 
Registration is now open at http://buildingperformanceforum.com.