Albany, New York -- Momentive Performance Materials Inc. announced 11 June that Ladislau Heisler, its technology leader for Urethane Additives, has been given the Herman Stone Technical Excellence Award by the Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA).
This prestigious award is given twice a year in conjunction with PFA technical programmes. The PFA uses it to encourage sharing of technical innovations, and the use of scientific methodology and professionalism in presentation technique.
"We would like to congratulate Ladislau and his team on this outstanding achievement," said Tony Lanchak, global marketing director, Urethane Additives, Momentive, in a company statement.
"This award is testament to the dedication they put into developing new, high-performing products made from renewable materials that can help manufacturers lower the environmental impact of foam production."
Heisler's winning paper, 'New Silicone Surfactant for Flexible Slabstock Foams Produced Using Natural Oil-Based Polyols,' was presented at the spring PFA meeting held in Baltimore, Maryland on 20/21 May. The research described focuses on Niax silicone L-670, a new Momentive surfactant that "is an excellent candidate to consider for flexible slabstock foams produced using natural oil-based polyols (NOP)," said the statement.
Consumer awareness of "green" issues and the depletion of non-renewable resources have heightened demand for the creation of foam products that leverage renewable content, Momentive points out.
The paper was co-authored by Gregory Pickrell, while Momentive technicians Jolene Graham, Kevin Husk and Derrick Johns performed the laboratory work upon which the paper was based. Heisler's team is based in Sistersville, West Virginia.
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