Phoenix, Arizona -- The polyurethane industry in North America needs to get out and tell the benefits of its products or face being maligned by unsympathetic groups, said Gerry Podesta, chairman of the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) warned today.
Podesta, who is also, BASF senior vice president North America, performance materials, was speaking at the opening presentation of the CPI convention. He told delegates that "there are people out there who do not see the benefits" of polyurethane.
He added: "we cannot wait for other people to write our story, too many other products and industries have suffered because of that. Our foundations are being challenged, we need to be advocates for our industry."
He called on delegates to "engage, educate people" and to explain to them how polyurethanes help make their houses more energy efficient, their beds more comfortable for example. "Let's all be part of the solution," Podesta said.
Attendees are to be given that opportunity in the conference evaluation forms, Podesta added. He said that in addition to ranking the CPI meeting sessions, delegates would have the opportunity to sign up as advocates. Podesta added "we need advocates" to engage with community leaders, at grass-roots, county, state or national level to help lobby for the industry. He said it is important that people with scientific understanding engage with NGOs and government forums at all levels.
The CPI Meeting is being held in Phoenix Arizona from 22 to 25 September 2013.
