June 22, 2019

The XXVI. meeting of the Global Phenolic Resins Association (GPRA) was held on June 4-June 5 in Berlin, Germany. Attendees focused on various topics around Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) for phenolic resin producers and enjoyed presentations from external parties about topics with key implications to the industry, like raw material developments, economic outlooks for the global markets and moreover, a current view about the Private equity (financial) markets. 

All attending companies gave company updates and informed the group about recent changes in the respective organizations and/or shareholding structures.

Regulatory updates on the most relevant raw materials for the industries were given by J. Talbiersky (UCP Chemicals). On phenol it is worth mentioning that the Canadian government has provisionally determined that eight substances referred to collectively under the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) as the phenol-formaldehyde resins group do not pose significant risks to human health or the environment. The final screening assessment will be published in April 2020. A. Knebelkamp (Prefere Resins) reported on progress of the work which is conducted by the Strategic Threats and Opportunities Group, established by EPRA (European Phenolic Resins Association) in order to counter unnecessary concerns arising from the formaldehyde reclassification.

GPRA wants to ensure that all GPRA members are operating at a high level of HSE protection and that good guidance is provided for those non-GPRA phenolic resin producers who want to improve HSE protection and performance. In this regard, presentations held by J. Küper (Huettenes-Albertus) about Batch Reactor Safety and about Employee Training Schedules by S. Zibret (Fenolit) were of particular interest.

About ever increasing IT threats, be it from frauds or even focused Cyber-attacks, a presentation was heard from S. Füßl (Hexion) who gave some general information about minimum requirements to help providing a base protection at least.

Actual developments in the Private Equity markets were presented by C. Karbenk (capiton AG), and D. Potter (IHS Markit) explained his views about the most recent developments and challenges in the global Cumene, Phenol and Acetone markets. Both presentations were very well received by the group and stirred a lively discussion.

The meeting was concluded by presenting the economic situation and outlook in major markets of the world by the member companies being active in the respective regions.

The meetings were held in the presence of DNU - Treuhandbuero, an independent consulting group ensuring that all discussions comply with all national and international laws. All members have signed the anti-trust compliance documents.

Participants at the Berlin GPRA meeting represent the companies listed below:

AICA, ASK Chemicals, Fenolit, Hexion, Huettenes Albertus, Kolon Industries, Metadynea, Prefere Resins, SI Group, UCP Chemicals and CPRA (Chinese Phenolic Resin Association), and moreover, speakers from capiton AG and IHS Markit.

The next meeting of the GPRA is scheduled for November 19 and 20, 2019 in Hong Kong.

The GPRA Chairmen are Dr. Joerg Talbiersky of UCP Chemicals, representing Europe and Sang Ho (“Shane”) Lee of Kolon Industries, representing Asia. The chair for the Americas has been accepted by S. Kalra from SI-Group during the meeting in Berlin. 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