Frankfurt, Germany-The German foamed plastics association, the FSK, has a new chairman for its specialist polyurethane group. Lutz Ohmstede, managing director of systems house BaySystems BüFA has taken over this role from Dr Michael Begemann.
Martin Dietrich of Getzner Werkstoffe Ges.mbH in Bürs, Austria, has taken on the role of deputy chairman of the polyurethane group.
At a recent meeting of the FSK, Albrecht Manderscheid, FSK chairmen, thanked Begemann for his good work over the years on behalf of the PU industry. The PU group is one of the largest specialised group in the FSK, and organises regular trade conferences and a polyurethane innovation prize.
Begemann is moving from his role at PU machinery supplier Hennecke to join the executive committee of truck specialist Schmitz Cargobull AG, but he remains an FSK member and will stay on its executive committee.
Manderscheid wished Ohmstede success for the group's future, referring to some currently demanding topics such as environmental policy, in particular the introduction of REACH (Regulation, Evaluation, Authorisation of Chemicals) to the PU sector this year, and in a recruiting campaign for specialists for the industry which is underway.
Ohmstede said REACH represents one of the biggest challenges facing the industry, with implementation of this chemical policy causing high expenditure and much costing during the conversion.
But in the PU sector, it is important that small-volume speciality chemicals and and materials on the market do not disappear or the versatility of the material is affected, he added. PIC: L-R Manderscheid, Ohmstede, Dietrich, Begemann and Dr Hans-W. Schloz, the FSK director."
