Polyurea development association launched in Europe

Citation

(2007), "Polyurea development association launched in Europe", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 36 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2007.12936fab.028

Polyurea development association launched in Europe

Polyurea development association launched in Europe Experts from Europe's leading companies (Founding members of PDA Europe include Aceto France; Albermarle; BASF AG; Flexguard; Imexfa SA; and Polymer Chemical Company BV. Other companies actively involved include: Bayer MaterialScience; De Neef Conchem; GepoTech; Huntsman Polyurethanes; Liquid Plastics and Rema Tip Top) involved in the polyurea sector have joined forces to form the Polyurea Development Association (PDA Europe) – a brand new, body set up to handle industry issues relating to polyurea technology.

PDA Europe's mission is to build greater understanding and acceptance of polyurea technologies as they continue to grow in popularity across the continent. This will be achieved through the creation of new product standards, the development of education programs and by making industry wide recommendations and written guidelines on environmental aspects of polyurea usage and the safe handling of its associated products.

Based on the same successful format as its sister organization (PDA USA), which was founded almost a decade ago, PDA Europe was established after American PDA team members received an enthusiastic reaction at the 2005 European Coatings Show in Nurnberg, Germany. Polyurea has an established history in America and PDA Europe board members will maintain strong links with their US counterparts to draw on their knowledge and create a global platform for sharing information.

Commenting on the formation, Marc Broekaert of Huntsman and first PDA Europe President said, “Creating an industry association committed solely to the needs of European polyurea formulators and users, answers the long standing requirement for a professional body that can provide strategic direction and champion best practice in this particular area of the European chemical industry. Drawing on the collective expertise of our members, we will create a sustainable platform for the future of polyurea and set the standard for polyurea spray systems in Europe.”

Continuing he said, “Polyurea spray coatings are experiencing a real surge in usage and are now employed in a wide variety of industry sectors including construction, transportation and industrial coatings. PDA Europe will provide an effective forum for networking through which key industry players can discuss a range of hot industry issues including REACH. We would encourage anyone involved in this area of the chemical business to join the association as a priority and benefit from key industry information and technological development.”

PDA Europe will hold its first annual conference in November, 2007. The gathering, entitled “Developing the European Polyurea Market together” will take place from November 14 to 16 at the Crowne Plaza Brussels Airport Hotel in Brussels, Belgium. The agenda will focus on a range of topics including processing, surface preparation and enhancing overall product performance. It will feature case studies from European companies that are reaping the benefits of specifying polyurea systems. Delegates will also be able to see practical demonstrations and get a taste of professional courses which PDA Europe will launch later in the year.