GE to miss K2004

By Frank Esposito, Plastics News StaffPittsfield, Massachusetts-GE Advanced Materials-the newly formed General Electric unit that encompasses GE Plastics, GE Silicones and PU additives maker OSi Specialties-has decided not to exhibit at K 2004, the plastics industry's largest trade show.GEAM spokesman Bob Hess confirmed the decision, but declined to offer details. A report by Plastics Information Europe said GE Plastics plans to shift marketing efforts to direct consumer contact, including training programs, seminars and applied research.GE Plastics is one of the world's largest makers of polycarbonate, ABS and other specialty resins.The K show is set for 20-27 Oct in Düsseldorf, Germany.In 2003, GE Plastics' profit tumbled 50 percent to $422 million as sales stayed flat at $5.2 billion. The unit represented about 4 percent of GE's overall sales and about 2 percent of GE's overall profit in 2003. GEAM formed 1 Jan from a merger of GE's plastics, silicones and quartz operations.A number of materials firms - including Dow Chemical Co. and Eastman Chemical Co.-declined to exhibit at NPE 2003, North America's largest plastics trade show."