Contact: Bonnie Limbach
(202) 974-5210

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EPA MACT RULING REFLECTS SPI INPUT

WASHINGTON, DC (September 3, 2003) - The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) today applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) recent signing of a final rule on the Miscellaneous Metal Parts and Products (MMP) Maximum Achievable Control Technology Emissions Standard (MACT), which incorporated the association's input.

The final rule is expected to be printed in the Federal Register shortly.

Speaking for the SPI Fluoropolymers Division's Custom Coaters Section, division Executive Director Allen Weidman said: "We are gratified that the EPA responded to our concerns regarding extreme performance fluoropolymer, or EPFP, coatings and believe the resulting rule will help our industry to meet all regulatory requirements."

EPFP coatings are formulated systems based on fluoropolymer resins and often contain "bonding" matrix polymers dissolved in non-aqueous solvents as well as other ingredients. These extremely durable, thin-film coatings typically are used in mission-critical applications when one or more critical performance criteria are required. For instance, EPFP coatings are used when the application requires outstanding resistance to chemical attack; an extremely wide operating temperature range; superior electrical insulating properties, and other critical attributes. These applications serve the medical, aerospace, transportation and other vital industries. In the medical field, EPFP coatings are essential in the manufacture of scalpel blades and heart monitor leads, for example. In the aerospace and transportation sector, EPFP coatings are used in aircraft air-conditioning systems, jet fueling nozzles and lightweight laser weaponry.

The EPFP industry is a mature one that consists of primarily small coating businesses, according to SPI. As a result of the companies' small size, relatively low emission of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) and selection of low-volatile organic compound (VOC) coatings when appropriate, most job shop coaters are not required under the Clean Air Act to install emission control devices. In fact, for most of these companies, the association maintained, add-on pollution control devices would be prohibitively expensive, technically infeasible, or both.

In making these points, SPI succeeded in convincing the EPA not to subject EPFP coatings to the more stringent HAP emission limits proposed for more ubiquitous general use coatings. As a result, EPFP coatings now must comply with a 12.4 lbs. HAP/gallon coating solids limit vs. the 2.6 lbs. HAP/gallon limit originally proposed.

The EPA also recognized and adopted SPI's definition of an EPFP coating, which will be extremely useful to the industry in future permitting and rulemaking efforts, according to Weidman.

Weidman said the final rule showed the way the regulatory system should work to the benefit of all.

"This was a win-win," he concluded, "for both the EPFP coatings industry and our nation's environment."

Founded in 1937, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., is the trade association representing one of the largest manufacturing industries in the United States. SPI's 1,300 members represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw materials suppliers. The U.S. plastics industry employs 1.5 million workers and provides more than $320 billion in annual shipments. For more information, visit SPI on the Web at www.plasticsindustry.org.

Back to Top

More About SPI:   Vision and Mission . Membership . Business Units . Regional Offices . News and Publications . Calendar of Events . Terms and Conditions of Use