Energy Efficiency In Appliances A Key Feature At Polyurethanes 2010 Technical Conference
Arlington, VA and London - Advances in the development of blowing agents with low global warming potential (GWP) will be presented at this fall's Polyurethanes 2010 Technical Conference. Sponsored by Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI), in partnership with UTECH North America exhibition, the event will take place Oct. 11 – 13, 2010, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.
This year's conference will include presentations of more than 70 technical papers, as well as numerous poster presentations, special panel sessions on topical issues for the polyurethane industry, a professional development program, and the annual Polyurethane Innovation Awards.
"The combined Polyurethanes 2010 Technical Conference and UTECH expo is set to be a huge draw for major companies and leading scientists from around the world," said Neeva-Gayle Candelori, director of CPI. "With entire sessions dedicated to energy-critical foams and sustainability, hundreds of professionals in the appliance industry will have a unique opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of the latest developments in appliances." Of special interest to the appliance industry, the technical session on energy-critical foams will feature papers from DuPont and Arkema on blowing agents with low GWP. Bayer MaterialScience, LLC, will present a comparison of gaseous and liquid low-GWP blowing agents with HFC 134a and HFC 245fa (hydrofluorocarbons) in rigid polyurethane insulation foams. In addition, Huntsman will present the findings of an almost 10-year study on closed-cell rigid polyurethane foam and energy consumption related to the appliance cabinets of refrigerators.
The renewable content polyols session will feature a presentation by Composite Technical Services on a new class of bio-based polyols for rigid foam formulations that could significantly increase the bio-based content of rigid foams without sacrificing performance.
Appliance professionals will also be interested in a session dedicated to sustainability in which Caleb Management Services will address the legacy issues related to the previous use of ozone-depleting substances in polyurethane foams. The session will also examine the Federal Trade Commission "Green Guides," and issues related with green marketing. Finally, attendees will get a comprehensive look at projects in the U.S. that use carbon-credit programs to address the problem of CFC refrigerant and blowing agent from retired refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and appliances.
The conference will close with an awards luncheon when the winner of the polyurethane innovation award, and best paper and poster awards will be announced. Immediately following the luncheon will be a panel discussion on product stewardship activities under way in the spray polyurethane foam industry. Throughout the conference, attendees also will have the opportunity to participate in the professional development program.
For the second time, the Polyurethanes Technical Conference will be held in conjunction with the UTECH North America expo, bringing together the resources of two of the world's largest polyurethane events. The current exhibitors list of UTECH North America features a strong presence from the U.S., Europe and China, including Air Products, Albrecht Baumer, Albemarle, Arch Chemicals, Baule, Bayer MaterialScience, Lanxess, BYK Chemie, Cannon, COIM, REPI, Graco, Momentive Performance Materials, Tosoh, Yantai Wanhua Polyurethanes and many other leading companies.
These companies will present world-class solutions, including many technologies that contribute to sustainable development and protection of the global environment. Visitors to the exhibition can register online for free before October 4. Please visit www.utechnorthamerica.com.
Registration for the Polyurethanes 2010 Technical Conference is now open. For a full view of the schedule or to register, please visit www.polyurethane.org.
SOURCE: Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI)