| |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
|
|
|
|||
| |||||
     |
 |
|
SPI, Industry Groups Speak Out Against California BPA Bans . . . SPI recently joined a coalition of industry groups, including the American Chemistry Council, the Food Products Association and the Grocery Manufacturers of America, to address a proposed ban on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in any product meant for children under the age of three. The ban was introduced by California State Assemblywoman Wilma Chan (D-Oakland), who also chairs the Assembly Health Committee. If the legislation is passed, California would become the only state to limit the use of BPA. In a March 29 letter to state lawmakers, the industry groups cite comprehensive reviews by such groups as the U.S. National Toxicology Program, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, and government agencies in the European Union and Japan, asserting that the studies "all support the conclusion that BPA poses no risk to human health at the low levels found in consumer products." For more information, contact Lynne Harris, (202) 974-5217; e-mail lharris@socplas.org. Watch future issues of SPI Link for updates on this issue.
SPI Elects New Officers, Executive Board Members . . . Paul Appelblom of Jatco, Inc. has been elected Chairman of The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc.'s (SPI's) Executive Board, a position he will hold until December 31, 2005. Other officers elected in a special election were Jane E. Austin of DuPont Dow Elastomers, Vice Chairman; James Buonomo of NYPRO Inc., Treasurer; and Ron Brown of Milacron, Inc., Officer-at-Large. Robert W. Ackley of Davis-Standard Corp. will remain as Immediate Past Chairman and Frank Tortorici of Arkema, Inc., will remain as Executive Board Secretary. The special election was held to fill a vacancy that occurred when SPI Chairman E. Niles Kenyon left the plastics industry, retiring from the Conair Group/IPEG. An additional officer position opened when William R. Carteaux, who was to begin his term as SPI Vice Chairman in January, was appointed SPI President. Carteaux took the helm at SPI on March 1, 2005, replacing former President Donald K. Duncan. In addition, the SPI Equipment Council elected the following persons to serve on SPI's Executive Board for terms beginning January 1, 2005, and ending December 31, 2006: Gunther Hoyt, Xaloy, Inc.; Roger C. Klouda, MSI Mold Builders; James Murphy, Davis-Standard Corporation; Randy Pearson, Dynisco Extrusion; Donald Rainville, Universal Dynamics, Inc. and Andrew Wheeler, Windmoeller and Hoelscher Corporation. The SPI Materials Suppliers Council elected the following persons to serve on the SPI Executive Board for terms beginning January 1, 2005, and ending December 31, 2006: Fred M. Daniell, Ticona/Fortron Industries; Michael Day, Michael Day Enterprises; Cynthia Green, DuPont Fluoropolymers; Michael Haley, Dyneon LLC and Timothy O'Brien, GE Advanced Materials -- Plastics. SPI's Processors Council elected the following people to serve on the SPI Executive Board for terms beginning January 1, 2005, and ending December 31, 2006: Bradley Buechler, Spartech Corporation; Robert Hamilton, Illinois Tool Works, Inc.; Paul Horton, Intralox, Inc.; and Peter Lazaredes, Pactiv Corp. For more information, contact Marcia Horn, (202) 974-5224; e-mail: mhorn@socplas.org.
Nanomaterials Database in the Works . . . A database containing published environmental, health and safety studies involving nanomaterials will be available to the public soon, chemistry board representative Jack Solomon told a federal advisory board last week. Andrew Maynard, a researcher for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health said another database listing federally funded, corporate and international research on nanomaterials is also being developed. In related news, Inside EPA reports the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is planning a stakeholder meeting to discuss whether to rely on current toxics law in establishing safeguards for nanotechnology-based manufacturing, possibly signaling that the agency is ready to begin the debate on a key question about regulating the emerging science, reports.
USTR Releases 2005 Report on Foreign Trade Barriers . . . The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) last week released its annual report on export barriers and unfair trade practices that hinder U.S. exports of manufactured goods, services and agricultural products. The report, "The National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE)," profiles the measures and policies of 61 major trading partners that restrict market access to U.S. products. "Eliminating trade barriers so that American workers, farmers and businesses can have increased access overseas for our goods and services is one of USTR's core missions," said Acting U.S. Trade Representative Peter Allgeier. "The NTE report highlights many of the barriers, large and small, that Americans face around the world. Every day, USTR works closely with other U.S. Government agencies to press our foreign trading partners to eliminate their barriers." The 2005 NTE Report, as well as country-specific excerpts, is available on USTR's Web site at www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Reports_Publiclations/2005/ Commission Offers Recommendations on China's WTO Record . . . The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission last week released the official record of its hearings held in February on China's compliance with its obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO). Along with its findings, the Commission offered a number of recommendations to Congress to pressure China to comply with its WTO obligations. "It has become increasingly clear that China is not meeting key commitments it made when joining the WTO and that our trade laws have to date been insufficient in addressing these problems," said Commission Chairman C. Richard D'Amato. "In some cases our trade remedies need to be enhanced, in other cases they have been woefully underutilized. The end result has been a trading relationship that is undermining important U.S. economic interests." The Commission's recommendations include urging USTR to file a formal WTO complaint challenging China's undervalued yuan and consider legislation to impose retaliatory tariffs on Chinese imports into the U.S. market until China increases the yuan valuation by at least 25 percent, to file a formal WTO complaint regarding China's lax enforcement of intellectual property rights, to strengthen U.S. trade laws to protect domestic industries from unfair competition from Chinese imports and an extensive investigation of Chinese government subsidies. For more information and to read a complete list of the Commission's recommendations, link to www.uscc.gov.
Call for Nominees . . . The Plastics Academy is seeking nominations for its Plastics Hall of Fame, which recognizes industry pioneers whose dedication and accomplishments have contributed to the growth of the plastics industry. The next Hall of Fame induction ceremony for living individuals will be held June 19, 2006, during NPE 2006 in Chicago. Nominations will close December 31, 2005. "Nominations may come from any interested party," said John R. Kretzschmar, chairman of the Plastics Academy. "Our recently-adopted procedures have streamlined the nominating process and increased our ability to identify and honor those who have made the industry great." Established in 1972, the Hall of Fame has inducted 133 members to-date. For more information or to request a nomination form, contact the Plastics Academy, (978) 537-9529, or link to the Web at www.plasticshalloffame.org. For more information about SPI Link, mailing list additions/deletions, or to receive the publication by e-mail, contact Paula Weis, (202) 974-5282; e-mail pweis@socplas.org. More About SPI: Vision and Mission . Membership . Business Units . Regional Offices . News and Publications . Calendar of Events . Terms and Conditions of Use |
|
||
|
|
 © Copyright 2005 The Society of the Plastics Industry.
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
      | ||
SPI Hosts Well-Attended North Carolina Legislative Reception . . . SPI's Southern Region last week welcomed nearly 100 state lawmakers to its North Carolina legislative reception. Held March 29 at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh, the biennial event matched up plastics industry leaders with 24 state Senators and 68 legislators from the North Carolina House of Representatives. Intended to offer plastics manufacturers and their raw material and equipment suppliers with a face-to-face opportunity to educate state lawmakers about the challenges facing the plastics industry, the legislative reception also served to notify government officials what they can do, from a policy perspective, to help the state's manufacturers compete on a more level playing field, both domestically and abroad. Industry members in attendance were also encouraged to discuss the natural gas issue with their legislators. In addition, the event included an "Industry Issues Briefing" featuring a global trade and competitiveness update by Karen Bland Toliver, SPI's senior director, international trade and industry statistics, as well as sessions on plastics industry exports and expansion incentives presented by representatives from the North Carolina Department of Commerce. A similar event is planned in South Carolina on May 4, 2005. For more information, link to the Web at 
Proposed Legislation Offers Illinois Toolmakers Added Business Protections . . . Illinois House bill 566, introduced by State Representative Kathleen Ryg (D-Vernon Hills), would amend the Tool and Die Lien Act, allowing Illinois toolmakers to place a lien on all special tools produced, and/or all proceeds from the assignment, sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of the tools until the toolmaker is paid in full. The bill has already passed through the Illinois State Legislature and is expected ti be voted on soon in the Illinois State Senate. SPI encourages Illinois members to contact their state senator in support of this legislation. For more information, contact Natha Freiburg, (202) 974-5216; e-mail 
Va. Governor Vetoes Offshore Drilling Bill . . . Virginia Governor Warner last week vetoed Senate bill 1054, which would have provided an exemption to the existing moratorium on offshore natural gas exploration and development activities. A statement released by Warner's office shortly after the veto attributed his decision to reject the legislation to "fundamental deficiencies" in the bill. Namely, "it directs the Commonwealth to advocate for federal legislation that has yet to be introduced." The bill, supported by SPI, had been approved by both the state House and Senate before finally being overturned by Warner
SPI Announces 2005 "TINA" Award Winners . . . Continuing its tradition of promoting and recognizing superior manufacturing quality, innovation and use of materials in thermoformed parts, SPI recently announced the winners of its Thermoforming Institute National Awards (TINA) for 2005. The overall winner was Gage Industries of Lake Oswego, OR, which entered a One-way Front Opening Shipping Box into the heavy-gauge electronics category. The other 2005 "TINA" winners in the Heavy Gauge Categories are as follows: Medical - Comfort Scan Covers, Kintz Plastics, Inc. (Howes Cave, NY); Consumer - Replicated Rock, The Fabri-Form Co. (New Concord, OH); Electronics - One-Way Front Opening Shipping Box, Gage Industries, Inc. (Lake Oswego, OR); Industrial - Pie Plate Plenum, Kintz Plastics, Inc. (Howes Cave, NY). In the Light Gauge Categories, winners included, Food Packaging - Ten Inch Wedge Clamshell with Vents, Plastic Ingenuity, Inc. (Cross Plains, WI); Industrial - 70 Cavity Injector Tray, Innovative Plastech, Inc. (Batavia, IL); Consumer - State Quarter Clamshell, Plastic Ingenuity, Inc. (Cross Plains, WI); Medical - Resting Heart System Package, Prent Corporation (Janesville, WI); Electronics - Microsoft for Mac, Transparent Container Company (Berkeley, IL). The awards were announced during the Institute's annual winter meeting, held March 13-16 in Naples, FL. To learn more about the Thermoforming Institute or this year's TINA award winners, link to the Web at 
SPI Structural Plastics Awards Recognize Innovation in Product Design . . . A wide range of products showcasing the latest in design technology were honored March 22 at the New Product Design Competition event, held in conjunction with the Structural Plastics 2005, SPI's Structural Plastic Division's 33rd annual conference and design competition week at Disney's Contemporary Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Taking top honors was Mack Molding Company, whose AED Pro automated external defibrillator took home the Conference Award and the Medical and Scientific Category Award. The Judges Award went to Mercury Marine for the Fuel Supply Module Housing for the Four Stroke Marine Outboard Engine. Category awards also went to the following companies: Building and Construction - (Tie) Horizon Plastics Co. Ltd for the Half In-Ground Junction Box and The Minco Group for the Site Lock; Furniture - Iceberg Enterprises, LLC, for the Presentation, Portable and Display Easels; Industrial and Military - Buckhorn Inc. for the Citadel Liquie and Tomato Paste Container; Lawn and Garden and the 8th Annual IDSA & Plastics News Design Award - Buckhorn, Inc., for the Everkote Armored Wood; Recreation and Leisure Award - Bemis Manufacturing Company for the Buell Lightning Cityx; Retail/Consumer Products and People's Choice Award - Tupperware Corporation for their FlatOut! Collapsible Storage Containers; Single Part - Tupperware Corporation for their Olive Oil Bottle; and Transportation - Innatech LLC, for the 2005 Ford Mustang Convertible Rear Deck Lid Touch-Off Molding. The 2005 Best Paper Award was presented to Michael Shoemaker, The Dow Chemical Company, for his paper, "A Novel High Performance Thermoplastic Composite Material for Automotive Applications." The recipient of the First Runner Up Award was Steve Gerbig, DSM Engineering Plastics, for his paper, "Injection Molded Thermoplastics Fly High with A380." To learn more about SPI's Structural Plastics Division or this year's award winners, link to the Web at www.plasticparts.org or contact Karen Miles, 
Proposed Energy Legislation . . . Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) will launch a new energy bill at a press conference Wednesday, April 6. The proposed legislation is expected to deal specifically with the issues surrounding natural gas. Peter Jones, president of Wexco Corporation, Lynchburg VA, and Chairman of SPI's Strategic Management Group for Public Policy, is slated to attend the kick-off event. Watch for updates in next week's SPI Link. 
Turn the China Challenge into an Opportunity . . . The clock is ticking. The registration deadline for SPI's 2005 trade mission to China is April 22, 2005. Updated information on the mission schedule is available on SPI's Web site at 
Canada, EU Propose Retaliatory Tariffs on Certain U.S. Exports . . . Canada and the European Union (EU) announced plans March 31 to impose a 15-percent punitive tariff on certain U.S. exports into their markets beginning May 1, 2005. Both governments cite as justification for their actions the failure of the United States to repeal the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 (known as the Byrd Amendment). Under the Byrd Amendment, the additional import duties collected under the antidumping and countervailing duty laws are paid to U.S. companies that filed or support the original complaints. In 2003, after several U.S. trading partners successfully challenged the validity of the Byrd Amendment under WTO rules, the WTO gave the United States a deadline of December 27, 2003 to repeal the law. When the U.S. did not meet this deadline, eight trading partners (Brazil, Canada, Chile, the EU, India, Japan, Korea and Mexico) requested authorization from the WTO to impose punitive tariffs on U.S. exports into their markets. They received a green light at the end of 2004 to take this action. Neither Canada nor the EU has yet targeted major plastic products or machinery as subject to the punitive tariffs. Canada's list is limited to U.S. live swine, cigarettes, oysters and certain specialty fish. The EU's list is much broader, encompassing paper, agricultural and textile products. However, press reports indicate that other trading partners such as Mexico, Japan and Korea are considering their own retaliation lists. Representatives from USTR and Congress expressed "disappointment" with Canada and the EU's actions, but have not specified whether the U.S. will repeal the law. Although the Bush Administration included repeal of the Byrd Amendment in its budget request to Congress, Hill leaders remain divided on the issue. SPI will continue to monitor this situation closely, particularly whether other trading partners target plastic industry exports for retaliatory tariffs. Canada's press release regarding the tariffs is available online at 
SPI Leading the Charge to Eradicate Pellet Loss . . . Spilled pellets make their way into local waters and eventually end up in our oceans, where they create both a litter problem and a deadly threat to sea life. As responsible stewards of the environment, the plastics industry is addressing this critical issue, but Zero Pellet Loss can only be achieved with your help. SPI is urging its processor members - and all U.S. plastics processors - to make a commitment to helping keep the environment clean. By becoming an Operation Clean Sweep® (OCS) partner, your company can show its commitment to serve as an environmental steward. Through the OCS campaign, a joint initiative of SPI and the American Plastics Council, the industry groups aim to help every plastic resin handling operation implement good housekeeping and pellet containment practices to work toward achieving zero pellet loss. As plastics manufacturers face mounting pressure from state and local governments to clean up the environment or face fines and other penalties, it is more important than ever for processors to get involved in this pro-active, environmentally-responsible effort. Make your promise to prevent pellet loss today at 
Traveling Lab Brings Wonders of Plastics to the Classroom . . . Introduce school children in your community to the marvels of plastics by sponsoring a visit from the PlastiVanTM, a traveling road show featuring some of the most popular elements from the National Plastics Center in Leominster, MA. The interactive course offers an exciting, fast-paced assembly program for up to 300 children in grades 4 through 12, teaching students about chemistry, history and manufacturing through hands-on experiments and activities. The PlastiVan mobile polymer lab helps students understand the role of science and plastics in their lives and supports workforce development by opening children's minds to careers in the plastics industry. PlastiVan tours are available in 40 states, and as an SPI member, you may be eligible to receive matching funds from your association to help bring the PlastiVan program to your community. To learn more, contact Margie Weiner at the National Plastics Center, (978) 537-9529; e-mail