The thirteenth meeting of the GPRA

November 15, 2012

The thirteenth meeting of the Global Phenolic Resins Association (GPRA) was held November 13 and 14 in Hong Kong, China.  The GPRA discussed many topics of current relevance to the phenolic resin producers, including: Batch Reactor Safety, Management Control System, Treatment of Wastewater in China, Options for Vapor Control in Phenolic Resin Plants, the current state of formaldehyde regulations in the US and Europe, the raw material trends in the phenolic resin industry, the economic status in various regions of the world, and the use of Cardanol.      

This meeting was held in Hong Kong to include more Asian phenolic resin manufacturers, which it did.  The group heard Company updates from UCP, Kolon, Sumitomo Bakelite, SI Group, Dynea, Fenolit and the China Phenolic Resin Association.  

A major focus of the meeting was raw materials for phenolic resin industry.  The group saw an excellent presentation from Vincent Sinclair, Senior Director IHS Chemical, regarding Phenol Chain Overview.  This included phenol supply and demand considerations going forward along with price expectations.  

In addition, GPRA member Companies gave presentations on several technical topics.  Kolon Industries made a presentation about Batch Reactor Safety, Fenolit made a presentation about Management Control System, the Chinese Phenolic Resins Association made a presentation about Treatment of Wastewater in China, and SI Group made a presentation about Options for Vapor Control in Phenolic Resin Plants and UCP made a presentation about the use of Cardanol in phenolic resin production.

The group saw presentations regarding the economic situation in various parts of the world as well as some predictions for phenolic resin growth in certain regions.
 
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 March 5 and 6 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 Industries, 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