It's Your Industry Too! - Fluoropolymers Division

www.fluoropolymers.org
Summer 2008 Issue
It’s Your Industry Too!
INSIDE
Industry Highlights 2
People on the Move 3
Section Corner 4
Fall 08 Conference -Scottsdale 5
Spring 08 Conf. - Kiawah 8
Classified Ads 10
FPD Notes 10
HOT NEWS
Omer Plourde, a Man of Many
Talents - page 1
W. L. Gore expands in China -
page 2
Plunkett 2009 announced by
Dupont - page 4
FPD Spring 09 Conference
planned - page 1 and 10
CHAIRMAN’S CORNER by Al Damico
For those of us in the fluoropolymer business, the PFOA issue has been a part of
our lives since 2000. We have effectively pulled together, and continue to do so
in an effort to protect our businesses, while making products that save lives,
protect the environment, improve transportation safety and many other important
applications. Collectively, we should be congratulated.
However, now is not the time to lose sight of the fact that there are new and
equally important challenges facing our industry. In a previous column, I
touched on the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED initiative, which proposes
to deselect halogenated materials from all medical building projects. This
program remains a significant challenge and has the potential to restrict or
eliminate the use of fluoropolymers in future construction.
SPI and other trade associations are actively monitoring this and are working to
protect your interests. However, as is always the case, strength is in numbers.
If you don’t know what the LEED initiative is – find out. If you do, but don’t
think it will have an impact on you – think again. Most importantly, get involved.
Work actively to protect your industry, the jobs of the people you employ and all of
those that will benefit by the proper and safe use of fluoropolymers.
SPRING 09 CONFERENCE AT PALM SPRINGS
The FPD Executive Committee has approved a plan to co-locate our Spring Conference
with the Machinery Division of SPI. Both Divisions will conduct their typical
programs for the most part. However, by using the combined resources of both, we
hope to be able to attract a higher profile keynote speaker that will be of interest to
both groups.
SUSTAIN 2008
SPI is partnering with Plastics News to organize and present Sustain ’08, an executive
level conference on the place plastics has in the sustainability debate we hear so much
about these days. It is scheduled in early November in Chicago. Check the SPI home
page for more information if you are interested. •
The Fluoropolymers Division
a business unit of
Omer Plourde – A Man of Many Talents
Omer Plourde has been with DeWAL for more than 18 years and
has been in the PTFE industry for almost 42 years. He has grown
and excelled in his journey from Dixon to DeWAL. During his
time at DEWAL, Omer has become something of an icon –
someone people come to with tough questions and difficult
problems. Omer has worked with and known some of the great
pioneers in the PTFE industry and has been instrumental in
to Omer Plourde on page 6
Omer Plourde

FluoroNews is published
by the Society of the
Plastics Industry, Inc.,
Fluoropolymers Division.
SPI will publish brief
summaries of events of
interest to members in
the Industry Highlights
section as part of its
continuing effort to meet
the needs and interests
of the fluoropolymer
industry. Publication of
such information is
subject to FluoroNews
editorial and other SPI
policies. See page 3.
Industry Highlights
ADVANCED FLEXIBLE COMPOSITES, INC. (AFC) marks its 20 th anniversary. Founded in
1988, AFC is a world leader in the manufacture of high-performance coated fabrics. AFC sells its
products through distributors and OEMs under the trade names DuraFab®, DuraFlow®, DuraSil®,
DuraStick®, DuraLam® and DuraChef®. AFC manufactures materials out 4 facilities: Lake In
The Hills, IL; Adams MA; Mexico City, Mexico; and Runcorn, Cheshire, England. AFC has
recently introduced its new heat sealers and belting repair supplies brochure. The 4-page color
brochure details the Specialty Belting Division’s complete line of heat sealers, tacking irons
capabilities as well as parts and accessories. Contact AFC customer service at 800/334-9372 for a
copy of the brochure.
FLUOROCONSULTANTS GROUP has expanded beyond consulting services and is doing
selective custom part sourcing to support the US fluoropolymer parts manufacturers. We do not
independently import foreign made parts into the US, which could compete with the US-made
parts. We facilitate the parts sourcing for the companies that wish to do so. We only source parts
that Chinese or Indian companies already know how to make. We now have representatives in
offices in Shanghai, China and Bombay, India, which allows us to insure top quality
parts and the use of specified fluoropolymer resins. See classified ad on page 10.
SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS has a new brochure that details its
involvement in the oil and gas industry. The brochure contains details on its highperformance
Fluoroloy® materials used to produce seals for the harshest environments
in oil and gas exploration and production. The brochure also introduces the new
OmniSeal® LFE range that has been developed to comply with the most stringent Low
Fugitive Emission regulatory standards such as ISO15848-1 and SHELL MSE77-312.
W. L. GORE broke ground on a new 21,700 square meter facility and began renovation
on 6,000 square meters of recently leased space in Shenzhen, China in early May. The
new site will be located adjacent to an existing facility, currently leased for manufacturing
of fabrics and electronic products. The project is part of a long-term commitment to
expand Gore’s R&D and manufacturing capabilities in Shenzhen. It will also accommodate
the company’s disk drive filtration operations. The facility will result in more than
400 new jobs over the next five years.
W. L. GORE … The GORE-TEX TransRockies Run covers six days and 110 miles
through the high Colorado Rockies, including rock-strewn mountaintop trails to cold
creek crossings and idyllic trips across alpine meadows. In 2008, Salomon will be the
official footwear supplier of the GORE-TEX TransRockies Run. Salomon’s superb range of trail
running shoes will provide the ideal solution for the long TransRockies days on the trail, whether
it’s the XA Comp GTX, made with GORE TEX® XCR for ultimate waterproof breathability or the
all-new XT Wings, which premieres this season integrating a host of Salomon technologies for
ultimate trail performance.
ASAHI GLASS CHEMICALS has restructured its web site, and it looks great! Check it out at
www.agachemicals.com.
DUPONT… A new DuPont fluoropolymer production plant has begun operations in Changshu,
China. The plant, which produces polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fine-powder and dispersion for
global customers, with focus on Asia Pacific, marks a significant milestone in the company’s
strategic plan to establish a broader fluoroproducts manufacturing base in China. The Changshu
plant is the fourth DuPont facility that has installed commercial production units using DuPont
Echelon technology which produces low-PFOA content aqueous fluoropolymer dispersions.
to Industry Highlights on page 4
FLUORONEWS | SUMMER 2008 | PAGE 2
PI)

People on the Move
ADVANCED FLEXIBLE COMPOSITES (AFC) names Richard Fowler Midwest Sales
Representative. Fowler will have sales responsibility for Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. He will
work out of AFC’s world headquarters in Lake In The Hills, IL. Charles Crowley, VP of Sales for
AFC commented, “Rich has been a valuable employee and a key member of our marketing team.
His years of experience and expertise in all aspects of PTFE and silicone coated and laminated
fabrics; tapes and belting will be very beneficial to the distributor and OEM customer base in the
Midwest territory.” You may contact Rich at 800/334-9372, 847/841-4014 or at
rfowler@afconline.com.
DEWAL INDUSTRIES has added Michael B. McBain to its sales team in the Midwest. McBain
brings with him years of experience designing, developing and implementing use of self-lubricating
polymer-based components for major Fortune 500 companies. Based outside of Chicago, he
will handle sales for DeWAL in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana.
Mike will be responsible for all products supplied by DeWAL Industries to
existing and new customers.
E-BEAM SERVICES is pleased to announce Martin Cumpston has
accepted the role of Business Development Director. His primary focus will
be to help develop and cultivate new business relationships. Martin brings
years of experience in the successful development of commercial products
using high performance polymers. He will be based out of Knoxville,
Tennessee and can be reached at 865/604-0868 or via email at
mcumpston@ebeamservicesinc.com.
GERMAN TECHNOLOGY IMPORTS was approved as a returning
member to FPD.
DAIKIN… Al Damico has been elected to the SPI Executive Board, a
group of 24 plastics industry representatives that has responsibility for the
general management of the property, funds, and business of the Society. Al’s
term on the Executive Board extends through December 31, 2009. Al is also
the current Chairman of the Fluoropolymer Division of SPI and the Chairman
of the Communications and Marketing Advisory
Committee of SPI.
Adam Brozzetti
Ashish Patel joined Daikin America in March as the
Product Manager for Melts. Adam Brozzetti joined Daikin
America as Director of Strategic Sales Planning in March.
In this capacity, Adam is responsible for developing
strategic and tactical sales plans to continue the success of
Daikin’s fluoropolymer products. Adam has been in the
fluoropolymer industry since 2000.
FPD… Ken Koziel, Saint-Gobain, and Dave Ely, Chromatics Inc. have
been appointed to the FPD Executive Committee. Congratulations, Ken and
Dave. Mike Patterson, Intech Services; Robert Smith, DuPont; and Steve
Smith, Heroflon USA were nominated and appointed Ex Committee
members effective June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2010.
FLUORONEWS is published by the
Fluoropolymers Division of The Society of the
Plastics Industry, Inc. Comments or
suggestions by members are welcome.
www. fluoropolymers.org
Editor:
Eben Robert Hill
eben_hill@msn.com
Executive Dir. Terry Peters
Asst. Director Jennifer Goldman
Publication of any information is not an
endorsement by SPI of any particular company,
individual, product, or process. Any Division
member may submit material for inclusion in
FluoroNews. Materials may be edited to meet
space limitations and can't be returned.
SPI is not responsible for any statement, claim,
opinion, or viewpoint expressed in Industry
Highlights; the content is and remains the sole
responsibility of the member who submits the
material for publication. Submission for
publication is an acceptance of these terms,
and the member agrees to hold SPI and its
agents and employees harmless for any
changes made. Inclusion of any materials
submitted for use by SPI is at the sole
discretion of SPI.
Al Damico’s Chairmanship term was extended through May 31, 2009 to
come in line with the FPD bylaws. Joe Carlin is now the representative to
SPI and FPD for Gore, and Richard Baillie is the representative for
Shamrock Technologies. •
©2008 The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc.
(SPI), all rights reserved.
FLUORONEWS | SUMMER 2008 | Page 3

Section Corner
COATERS BREAKOUT
Please join the Custom Coaters
Section breakout at FPD’s
Spring Conference at Kiawah.
Section Agenda
• Regulatory Update
• Issues Mgt. Committee
Update
• “Material Handling”
• Update on Reach, David
Sarvadi, Keller & Heckman
For more information on FPD’s
Custom Coaters Section, go to
www.customcoatings.org
PROCESSORS SECTION
BREAKOUT
Don’t miss the Processors
breakout at FPD’s Spring
Conference.
Section Agenda
• New Business/Old Business
• Join Coaters for Material
Handling Presentation
For more information on FPD’s
Processors Section, go to
www.ptfeparts.org
FPD Section activities continue to be strongly emphasized at all conferences.
Each Section breakout has content of specific interest to its
industry segment. Both the Coaters and Processors Section
are working hard to reach new and old member prospects
and make them aware of what Section membership can do
for them.
Coaters Section… The group wants to increase its efforts
to reach out to coater member prospects. The Section will
continue the trend of bringing vendors of value to the
coaters breakouts and will include additional supplier
presentations at future meetings. The Section is monitoring
California legislation.
Processors Section… The Section name has been changed
to the Processors Section, reflecting the wider scope of its
membership and breakout subject matter.
Steve Schwartz,
Coaters Chair
Wire and Cable… The Wire and Cable section is eagerly
awaiting USGBC’s responses to comments on US Green
Building Council’s LEED draft standard for health care
buildings. The section will continue participation to create
a better standard by promoting the use of science to quantify environmental
Eric Walsh,
Processors Chair
impact of material alternatives. The section has completed preliminary work on a
study comparing life cycle impacts of two plenum rated communications cables
systems and is now pursuing a critical review of the study prior to public release.
Codes and Standards activities are focused on the 2011 National Electrical
Code.•
Industry Highlights - from page 2
Through the use of Echelon technology, DuPont has qualified customers
representing over 90 percent of its sales volume of aqueous fluoropolymer
dispersions to use products that reduce PFOA content by at least 97 percent.
DUPONT PLUNKETT AWARDS… To mark the 70 th anniversary of the discovery of
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), later branded as DuPont Teflon®, DuPont Fluoropolymer
Solutions recently announced the expansion of its long-running DuPont Plunkett Awards with
environmental sustainability as a new selection criterion. The Plunkett Awards for Innovation &
Sustainability recognize companies around the world using fluoropolymers to create innovative
solutions that contribute to sustainable growth and help reduce environmental footprints.
The Plunkett Awards for Innovation and Sustainability will be launched with a call for entries
beginning in August 2008, and will include increased award values and a new honorable mention
category. Winners will be announced at special events around the world in 2009.
DUPONT plans to open a research and development center and a manufacturing facility in China
to cater to the growing demands of the solar energy industry. The research and development
facility will be based in Hong Kong, while the plant will be in Shenzhen. The company expects
growth in the photovoltaic market to exceed 30 percent each year over the next several years.
to Industry Highlights on page 7
FLUORONEWS | SUMMER 2008 | PAGE 4
PI)

Fall Conference at Scottsdale
FALL 2008 FPD CONFERENCE will be held on Sept. 21-23, 2008 at
the Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale, AZ. There is something for
everyone at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, including the Kierland
Golf Club and the ambiance, shopping, and dining in Scottsdale. The
room rate for SPI is $235. Please dial 800/354-5892 and mention the
SPI Fluoropolymers Division meeting to get the rate. The SPI rate is
available only until August 28, 2008.
BUSINESS PROGRAM
We have an interesting and informative general business program,
shown on the right. Confirmed topics include: State Regulatory &
Legislative Update (Jane Adams, SPI); The Dawn of Organic Optoelectronics
(Dr. Bernard Kippelen); Fuel Cells (John Goodman, Entegris)
and Green Building Initiative (Melissa Hockstad, SPI). Keynote
speaker is J. D. Hayworth, former US Congressman, author, and
broadcaster, who will do a “2008 Election Analysis.” The agendas for
the section breakouts are shown in the Section Corner on page 4.
ACTIVITIES
The Westin Kierland Resort provides eight unique dining experiences -
you are bound to find one you love!! Agave, the Arizona Spa, includes
21 treatment rooms, a salon, weight training/cardiovascular studio,
men’s and ladies’ locker rooms (each with whirlpool, sauna and steam
room) and a juice bar. Cabanas surround the pool garden, a private area
for relaxing, meditation and exterior spa treatments. The Westin
Kierland Golf Experience includes 27 holes of championship golf, the
best exercise physiology, and top golf instruction.You may want to plan
your visit in advance to take good advantage of the facilities at Kierland
or to visit Scottsdale and Phoenix.
LOCATION/DIRECTIONS/TRANSPORTATION
See our website at www.fluoropolymers.org for directions to the resort.
Kierland is 20 miles from Sky Harbor International Airport. AAA Sedan
provides airport shuttle service to/from The Westin Kierland. To make
arrangements, call AAA Sedan at 602/454-7433. Taxi service is also
available outside of all terminals.
SPOUSE AND GUEST ACTIVITIES
There will be a Spouse/Guest Buffet Breakfast at 9-10 am on Monday.
GOLF
Sunday’s open golf session will be held at the Grayhawk Golf Club
Talon Course in Scottsdale at 8:00 AM, Tel: 480/502-1800. Fee is $81,
including greens fees and cart. Call the course to arrange rental clubs.
Tuesday’s golf tournament will be held at the Westin Kierland Golf
Club at 12:00 pm. The $156 fee includes greens fees and cart. If you
need rental clubs, please contact the course directly at 480/922-9283.
REGISTRATION
You can register on-line, check attendees, and view the detailed general
business and section programs for last minute updates at
www.fluoropolymers.org. •
Sunday, Sepember 21
8:00 am Open Golf
4:00 pm Executive Committee Meeting
6:00 pm Welcome Reception
Monday, September 22
7:30 am Continental Breakfast
8:00 am Issues Mgt. Committee Update
9:00 am Political & Legislative
Perspective (Jane Adams, SPI
Director of Gov. Affairs)
10:00 am Dawn of Organic Optoelectronics
(Dr. Bernard Kippelen,
Georgia Institute of Technology)
11:00 am Lunch on your own
1:00 pm Breakout Sessions (See
Agendas)
Custom Coaters
Processors
Wire & Cable
5:30 pm Reception
6:30 pm Dinner on your own
Tuesday, September 23
7:30 am Continental Breakfast
8:00 am FPD Division Business Meeting
8:30 am Fuel Cells ( John Goodman,
Entegris)
9:00 am Wire & Cable/Green
Building Initiative Update
(Melissa Hockstad, SPI)
10:00 am Keynote Speaker, J. D.
Hayworth... “Election 2008
Analysis.”
11:00 am Lunch on your own
Noon Golf Tournament - Adjourn
FLUORONEWS | SUMMER 2008 | Page 5

Omer Plourde - from page 1
developing many of the processes and products that are made today by DeWAL and its competitors.
BEGINNING AT DIXON
Omer entered the PTFE industry in 1966 at Dixon Industries in Bristol, RI as a lathe operator in
the fabrication department, then skiving lathe operator, and later lead person in skiving. Dixon
was vertically integrated in all aspects of PTFE production. He worked with people like Saul
Ricklin, Robert Rulon-Miller, Jack Holland, Bert Katznak and Ted Rulon – Miller. It was a great
start to an impressive career. He was soon promoted to supervisor with responsibilities for billet
molding then to Dept. Head with responsibilities for powder preparation (Blending) and Etching.
The College of Hands On… Right after joining Dixon, Omer earned an Associates Degree in
Business at night, then starting taking Engineering courses at Roger Williams University. He had
to stop due to overload with new family, work, and working nights for his father to help him out
of a jam. Omer said, “Everything I learned in the industry was by getting my hands dirty,
volunteering, and getting involved.” He learned billet molding, skiving, blending, etching, ram
extrusion, making free/low flow resins, laminates, fabrication of parts, stamping, etching, slitting,
etc. on his own.
Corporate Duties… Omer was transferred to Corporate administration , reporting to Bundy VP,
to implement a Hewlett Packard MRP computer system which would be the groundwork for
expansion to the other Dixon Industry manufacturing sites. This required 2 years of his time.
After accomplishing this project, his new objective was to identify and rectify a poor profit
situation caused by inventory, productivity and system problems at one of the other facilities
within the group. Omer spent a year on this project, which eventually led to closing down the
facility and transferring equipment to 3 other facililites.
Bearing Wear Pads for Alaskan Pipeline (1975-1977)… Dixon received the “largest single PTFE
order ever placed” for bearing wear pads for the Alaskan pipeline. Product was a proprietary filled
PTFE compound skived/etched then bonded to stainless steel plates, drilled, machined and polished.
Volume was approximately 300k lbs of a special formulation that needed to be blended, pulverized,
billet molded, sintered/ skived and sodium etched. Omer’s responsibility was to make this happen
then transfer the pads to their bonding department for finishing to a wear plate. These pads were
installed on the piers that supported the actual pipeline to allow the pipeline to move due to seasonal
contraction of the pipeline steel.
PTFE Film for Russia (1978-1979)… Right after the pipeline job, Dixon won a quote for a special
PTFE product destined for Russia. The product was for PTFE film skived and calendered to 1.5, 2.0,
and 3.5 mils thick in various widths. Omer was assigned Project Manager for this job. They hired all
the necessary personnel for a 3 shift operation and purchased all necessary equipment. The primary
piece was an old Waterbury Calender which was rebuilt and retooled with periphery multiple
payoff and takeoff stations. They ran a 3 shift operation successfully, and shipped the 100k lbs
order to Moscow.
Omer ca. 1990
“Bullwinkle” Job (1985)… Omer was also involved another unique job − the production
of large PTFE bearing wear pads for the “Bullwinkle” job. This was the largest oil drilling
derrick in the world. The derrick was constructed on its side, atop bonded 4’ x 10’ pads.
The derrick was 1800’ long and 425’ square at the base. The construction took place along
the intercoastal waterway near Corpus Christi, Texas. The top of the derrick had aircraft
warning lights installed. After construction was complete, the derrick was maneuvered
down a ramp on the PTFE filled bonded wear pads onto a barge to be towed to the
Manatee Oil Field, 160 miles Southwest of New Orleans. The entire project cost $500
million, and surpassed the Alaskan pipeline job in PTFE volume by over 2.5x.
to Omer Plourde on page 7
FLUORONEWS | SUMMER 2008 | PAGE 6
PI)

Omer Plourde - from page 6
Promoted to Operations Manager… Omer was promoted to Operations Manager during mideighty’s
(1984) with additional responsibilities for Purchasing, Engineering. He served as technical
and processing manager for Marketing and Sales in addition to Operations manager.
Omer was responsible for 250 employees at all levels.
MOVING TO DEWAL
Omer was hired to be DeWAL Plant Manager in June 1990 by founding fathers Hugo DiClemente
and Ed Walsh.
In 1998, Omer was promoted to Director of Development
& Technology, an important position in which he has been
instrumental in developing, designing and implementing
many of the processes and processing that make a
difference at DeWAL today. He built a highly productive
and efficient Engineering/Maintenance team, developed the
Axis manufacturing MRP system, established a costing
system for all products now produced, and much more! He
continues to hold this position.
Omer is an integral part of the DeWAL family. In addition
to being Director of Development and Technology, he is
Product Manager for Film Products and Technical Advisor
Omer on DeWAL Factory Floor
to customer service and field sales. He works with
production, quality control and the sales department in
setting up and monitoring SOP’s, process development and new equipment design. Omer is truly
a man of many talents.
His Key to Success… Omer said, “I think my success was/has been attributable to the principle
that people make mistakes, but they must learn from them. My favorite comment has always been
‘I refuse to work with, hire, or keep on board personnel that tell me that something is broken!!!’ I
surround myself with people that say ‘Hey Omer, that’s broken, but I think I can fix it!!!’ I want
doers − that is what makes a business work. I delegate and then watch! I have made a lot of
friends in this business by being fair, honest, and appreciative of efforts.”
Omer likes his work, but in his free time, Omer loves to play golf, read, and spend time with his
wife, children, and five grandchildren. He lives with his wife in Portsmouth, RI. •
Industry Highlights - from page 4
DuPont has made significant investments in product development and capacity expansions to help
keep pace. The R&D center will likely begin operations in 2009. The expansions in Hong Kong
and Shenzhen will provide new offerings to serve the amorphous silicon thin film market. These
thin films are used in the production of photovoltaic modules.
DUPONT AND SFC SMART FUEL CELL AG announced in late June that the M-25 portable
fuel cell, which combines DuPont’s direct methanol technology with SFC’s commercially proven
fuel cell systems, products, and integration expertise, has been deployed for its first limited use in
the field for the U.S. Army. When worn by soldiers in the field for extended missions, the M-25 is
up to 80 percent lighter than conventional power sources, yet is capable of powering a wide range
of soldier equipment, such as digital communication and navigation equipment. In addition to its
lightweight, the M-25 delivers quiet and continuous energy, and offers independent standalone
functions such as remote area battery charging and power. •
FLUORONEWS | SUMMER 2008 | Page 7

Spring 2008 Conference at Kiawah
SPRING 2008 FPD CONFERENCE was held
April 13-15, 2008 at Kiawah Island Resort on
Kiawah Island, SC, an easy drive from Charleston,
SC. Kiawah Island has 10 miles of pristine, sunswept
beach and was voted “most romantic spot
and best spot to walk the beach” by Southern
Living’s editorial staff.
The golf enthusiasts again got up at the crack of
dawn on Sunday morning to play the Kiawah Island
Ocean course, the proud host of both the 2007
Senior PGA and the 2012 PGA championships. We
enjoyed seeing many old and new friends that
evening at the Welcome Reception.
Monday morning kicked off with a continental breakfast followed by an Issues Management
Committee update. This was followed by an International Trade Update by Amy Sherman, SPI,.
and a Economic Update by Robert Fry, a Senior Associate Economist, DuPont
Economist’s Office. Robert Fry has been named among the top forecasters by The
Conference Presenters Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Bloomberg.
The Coaters and Processors Section breakouts were held from 1:30-4 pm on Monday
afternoon. These were very well attended and had strong programs. Wire and Cable
did not have a meeting at this conference. After a reception that evening the members
were free for dinner on their own.
On Tuesday morning, a continental breakfast was followed by the Divisional
Business meeting. SPI President Bill Carteaux gave a very interesting update on SPI
issues and goals.
Amy Sherman
Greg Schwem
Green Building Iniative…Over the past several years the development of green
building and product-based programs has increased dramatically. Government
agencies, non-profit organizations and others have jumped on the green bandwagon as
the next great initiative. This presentation by Melissa Hockstad , SPI, provided
insight into current green activities, SPI’s involvement in critical green projects, and
the dangers of program development without industry input.
The keynote speaker was Greg Schwem, who Chicago Magazine called “America’s
Favorite Funnyman!!” Full of clean, fast-paced humor that pokes fun at the business
world, Greg calls his show “Comedy with a Byte.”This concluded the formal business
program.
After lunch on our own, the golfers headed out to the Turtle Point Golf Club. This
challenging course is one of Jack Nicklaus’ early classical course designs. The
Division thanks AGC Chemicals Americas, Arkema, Daikin-America, Dupont,
Dyneon, and Solvay Solexis for their generous donations in support of this conference.
Melissa Hockstad
Fall 2008 FPD Conference will be held on Sept. 21-23, 2008 at the Westin Kierland
Resort in Scottsdale, AZ. Preston Hollier, Solvay Solexis and Eric Walsh, DeWAL,
are the conference co-chairs. Check our web site at www.fluoropolymers.org for
details and to register. •
FLUORONEWS | SUMMER 2008 | PAGE 8
PI)

SPRING 2008 CONFERENCE PICTURES
FLUORONEWS | SUMMER 2008 | Page 9

SPI Fluoropolymers Notes
We have EXPANDED beyond consulting
services to the fluoropolymer industry.
Our new business model allows you to run
your fluoropolymer part production
facility profitably by partial sourcing
from Asia. Our offices in China and India
make it easy for you to do business with
Asia!
www.FluoroConsultants.com
Dr. Sina Ebnesajjad, President
Tel: 302/540-9887 Fax: 610/388-1368
email: Sina@FluoroConsultants.com
SPRING 2009 CONFERENCE will be be May 3-5, 2009 at Hyatt
Grand Champions Resort,
Villasand Spa in Palm
Springs, California. A 45-
acre oasis of lush gardens
and shimmering fountains
awaits you. After attending
the business programs, you
can relax in the awardwinning
spa, play a round
of championship golf, or
swim in one of seven
inviting pools. It will be co-located with the Machinery Division.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE…
SPI Salespeople… Bob Smith reported that he is working with SPI’s
new salespeople to help recruit new members. Staff participated in a
fluoropolymers training day at DuPont. Bruce Devine, SPI Membership
Sales, attended the Spring 2008 conference to interact with
members and potential members.
WHY CAN AN
EXPERIENCED
CONSULTANT
HELP YOUR
COMPANY SOLVE
ITS PROBLEM?
• Because they are smarter than your
own staff.
• Because they “think out of the box.”
• Because they are not loaded down
with other assignments.
• Because they play better golf.
• None of the above!
An Experienced Consultant
Has Already Solved Similar Problems
And Will Apply That Knowledge
To HelpYou!
Dave Newman
Newman & Associates, LLC
856/810-3408
Newmanptfe@aol.com
SPI CONTACTS
Terry Peters, Exec. Dir. 202/974-5233
Jennifer Goldman, Asst. Dir 202/974-5234
FPD Fax No. 202/293-0005
FPD Email:
fluoro@socplas.org
The e-mail survey for potential members, led by Terence Neville
and Mike Patterson, has been developed. The survey link is being
sent directly by the material suppliers to their contact lists.
SOCIETAL VALUE OF FLUOROPOLYMERS… Bruce Nesbitt
is leading a committee which has developed an email questionnaire
to gather data on fluoropolymer applications and their benefit to
society. The survey to solicit the processors and coaters for unique
applications of fluoropolymers has been sent. We hope to complete
this survey by mid-July.
FLUOROPOLYMERS WORLD... The plan for “Fluoropolymers
World” at NPE in 2009 was presented at the June Executive
Committee. The Division booth will be provided at no cost to the
Division. The committee encourages our membership to participate.
MONTHLY FPD HIGHLIGHTS has been reformatted in similar
style to SPI Link. Please include E. Robert (Bob) Hill on your press
release list at eben_hill@msn.com, so we can note your Company
and staff accomplishments and honors. An enhanced post-conference
summary was issued in May.
FLUOROGUIDE… We are updating the tables monthly, or as
needed. Please check your company input on our website and give
Bob Hill, Hill Business Writing LLC, any needed further revisions
at eben_hill@msn.com. We did a full update in June 2008.
FPD WEB SITE HITS continue to increase steadily. We continue
to add a steady stream of new content to our web site, and are now
posting post-conference summaries, including the conference
program, a list of attendees, and more.•
FLUORONEWS | SUMMER 2008 | PAGE 10
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