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Spray May 2015

United We Stand... The NAA & WAIB team up in Palm Desert The Western Aerosol Information Bureau (WAIB) and the National Aerosol Association (NAA) held a joint industry conference titled “United We Stand” at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, CA from March 3–5, 2015. Sean Fitzgerald of Cobra Plastics filled in for emcee Joe Bowen (Aeropres), who was grounded due to weather. Kristin Power, VP, State Affairs, Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) presented California Green Chemistry Regulation: Six Years and Counting. Safer Consumer Products Regulation, or “Green Chemistry,” strives to reduce toxic chemicals in consumer products. It identifies specific products containing potentially harmful chemicals and asks manufacturers to answer two questions: is this chemical necessary and is there a safer alternative? The Draft Work Plan, introduced in Sept. 2014, addresses categories from which additional products will be selected over the next three years. Safer Consumer Products (SCP) regulations require that 24 Spray May 2015 Power the California Dept. of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) prepare a plan describing the product categories that it will evaluate to identify product-chemical alternatives to make sure they don’t pose environmental or health problems. The seven new categories are: Beauty, Personal Care & Hygiene Products; Building Products: Paints, Adhesives, Sealants & Flooring; Household, Office Furniture & Furnishings; Cleaning Products; Clothing; Fishing & Angling Equipment; and Office Machinery (Consumable Products). Bill Smith, President & CEO, KIK Custom Products, presented A Team Approach to the Next Five Years: A Path to Survive & Thrive for Aerosols. After five years at the helm of KIK, Smith has concluded that, as an industry, we need to know where we are going and determine a path forward. He sees the threats to his business as not coming from competitive forces, but from external influences: government regulations, consumer perception and lack of innovation and education. It’s time to take an offensive position. According to government regulators, only 5% of VOC emissions are caused by Consumer Products, so why is there an onslaught against them? In his five years within the aerosol industry, he has observed that it has weak lobby groups compared to Big Business, its products are portrayed negatively on internet search sites and it has fragmented industry and advocacy groups. His take away was that aerosols are an easy target and the industry doesn’t defend itself well. It needs offense instead of defense, a one-voice message, to pool resources to establish a meaningful lobby forum and counter propaganda with facts. The industry needs to understand that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is not its friend, and not to expect government to change direction unless pushed. “Our entire industry is built on tribal knowledge,” he declared. “We don’t represent a sexy, attractive industry to young educated people starting careers. Who are we attracting out of college?” Smith’s advice to attendees was to look at internet sites and see how they can influence information on aerosols by countering propaganda with facts. He suggested that industry needs to offer expanded education for professionals on aerosol technology and innovative design. It also needs to reach the 80% of the population waiting to be influenced. “Fight! Educate! Unite! Our future depends on it!” he concluded. Kasib Abdullah, Director, North NGLs, BP, presented Globalization in the New Age of Oil & Gas. Global commodity markets basically react to market conditions. In 2014, the GDP declined, resulting in lower demand for gas. The projected global demand for gas is up this year and supplies will exceed demand through 2015. In mid- 2013, Libyan production returned after political turmoil, which added to higher global supply amidst declining demand, so prices decreased. In the U.S. in 2015, natural gas liquid production has been up in the Northeast and the Gulf Coast. Ethane will continue to increase in supply through 2018. Rigs have declined sharply, so watch for changes in production. Regional Updates Smith • Eastern Aerosol Assoc. (EAA): Dennis Smith reported that the EAA is adding a full day of hands-on technical workshops as an educational opportunity the day before the Aug. 4 golf outing. This will replace the Fall meeting. • Western Aerosol Information Bureau (WAIB): Steve Sanchez reported that WAIB continues to be “boots on the ground” with legislators. Its next Fall meeting will be held in Monterrey, CA Sept. 11–13, 2016. • Midwest Aerosol Assoc. (MAA): Ryun Bibro reported that Hunter Mahan, Summit Packaging, is its new president; the MAA will continue aerosol can races in 2015; and corrosion expert Steve Tait will be a speaker at the upcoming Spring meeting. • Southern Aerosol Technical Assoc. (SATA): Doug Raymond reported that SATA will continue aerosol can races in 2015 with an expected exposure of 3.5 million; SATA will be rescheduling its Fall meeting and its “Aerosol 101” will be held every two years; its newsletter will now be published electronically; and SATA is creating a corporate membership. • Consumer Aerosol Products Council (CAPCO): Sean Fitzgerald reported that CAPCO has a new relationship with recycling non-profit Curbside Value Partnership to explore activities to promote curbside recycling of aerosols; winners were announced for the Recycle Bowl; CAPCO recently participated with a booth at the National Science Teachers Assoc. conference and also responded to misinformation in the media. Abdullah


Spray May 2015
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