The Alliance for the Polyurethanes Industry will be holding its annual conference Oct. 18-20 in Las Vegas. The Polyurethanes Conference 2004 will explore the newest recycling technologies and eco-efficiency tools for the automotive, carpet rebond and furnishings industries.
“The polyurethanes industry is actively pursuing new and innovative recycling and re-use avenues,” says Dick Mericle, executive director of the API. “At this year’s conference, researchers from many industries will come together to offer recycling insights and recommendations for manufacturers working with polyurethane.”
A representative from BASF Corporation will speak about a new eco-efficiency analysis method that can be used as an environmental health and safety tool. The presentation will include a case study to demonstrate how BASF has used the tool to achieve eco-efficiency in the urethanes industry.
Troy Polymers, Inc. will present information on a new recycling process for the chemical recycling of polyurethane containing scrap. This process is ideally suited for the recycling of foam scrap recovered from automotive shredder residue and will utilize existing shredder resources to the maximum.
Presenters from the Dow Chemical Company and Mobius Technologies, Inc., will discuss a new technology for producing slabstock foams without volatile organic compounds and with 10 percent recycled polyurethane trim foam.
A group of researchers from the USCAR/Vehicle Recycling Partnership, Changing World Technologies, Troy Polymers and Daimler-Chrysler will reveal findings on a new technology to convert shredder residue and organic materials into marketable high-quality, clean fuels and specialty chemicals for industrial and commercial use.
In addition, the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) will summarize its findings on efficient and responsible disposal of used mattresses and foundations, and present its recommendations to the mattress industry.
This year’s Polyurethanes Conference offers more than 80 technical papers on a wide variety of topics, including appliance applications; automotive interior trim and structural RIM applications; blowing agents; catalysis; coatings, sealants and adhesives; combustibility issues; construction; elastomers and TPU; environmental, health and safety issues; footwear; furnishings; fundamentals; processing innovations; and recycling.
For more information about API and Polyurethanes Conference 2004, contact API at 703-741-5656, or visit the API web site at www.polyurethane.org.