The Urethane Blog
Everchem Updates
VOLUME XXI
September 14, 2023
Everchem’s exclusive Closers Only Club is reserved for only the highest caliber brass-baller salesmen in the chemical industry. Watch the hype video and be introduced to the top of the league: — read more
(ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich.) Michael Crowell, who has served as CertiPUR-US® executive director for the past ten years, has announced he will be retiring by the end of the year.
Under Crowell’s decade of leadership, CertiPUR-US foam certification program participation has expanded from 29 foam producers in five countries to more than 100 foam producers in 17 countries, now encompassing much of the foam supplied to the U.S. bedding and upholstered furniture markets. Crowell has played a key role in transforming the flexible polyurethane foam, bedding and furniture industries to make foam products used in the home safer and more sustainable. In May, Crowell was honored with the organization’s Outstanding Leadership Award.
“It’s been the highlight of my career in the foam industry to be involved with the CertiPUR-US program. It’s a win-win program,” says Crowell. “In setting rigorous standards for foam, we position the industry for continued growth while serving the public by providing a certification that ensures foams contribute to safer homes and better indoor air quality.”
Crowell’s distinguished career includes more than 40 years of senior management experience in the flexible polyurethane foam industry, spanning technical, manufacturing, sales and marketing positions. Before taking the helm at CertiPUR-US, he served as vice president of marketing and sales for Flexible Foam Products, responsible for government and industry product compliance, marketing and sales. He previously was vice president of automotive sales for Foamex International (now known as FXI).
Crowell holds an MBA with a focus in global management from Michigan State University and has served on both the CertiPUR-US program and the International Sleep Products Association board of directors. Crowell’s successor will be announced in August.
McKinney, TX – July 15, 2024 –
Quadrant Performance Materials (QPM), a leading manufacturer of spray foam insulation systems for the residential and commercial building envelope, announces the release of the EnviroSeal® Platinum Series. This updated product portfolio promises to revolutionize the spray foam industry with optimized formulations, focused on enhancing the applicator experience.
“We asked and listened to our customers’ feedback,” said QPM President & CEO Robert Jamieson. “Using that information, and with rigorous field trials, our R&D and Field Tech Teams have optimized our products to be even easier to use, better performing, and to deliver consistently higher yields.”
Introducing the EnviroSeal Platinum Series:
EnviroSeal OC Platinum
- Open-Cell Spray Foam
- Easy to Use: No Mixing Required
- Year-Round Formulation
- Wider Processing Parameters, Starting at 105°F
- Great Adhesion
- Increased Yield
EnviroSeal OCX Platinum
- Open-Cell Spray Foam
- AC-377 App. X Compliant – No Coatings, No Special Attic Hatch or Devices Required
- The Easy Solution for EnergyStar 3.2
- Easy to Mix
- Easier Application
- Increased Yield
EnviroSeal CC Platinum Max
- Closed-Cell Spray Foam
- HFO Blowing Agent
- High R-Value – Consistent 7.4 per inch at All Depths
- Smoother Finish
- Sprays Great in a Single Pass 1” to 4”
“The EnviroSeal Platinum Series is all about focusing on the applicator experience and optimizing our products to meet their needs,” added Cole Fletcher, QPM Technical Services Manager.
“We are committed to continuous innovation’, said Joey Lister, QPM Technical Director, “and to ensuring our products are the easiest to use and most consistent in the industry”.
For more information on the EnviroSeal Platinum spray foam insulation product line, please visit www.QuadrantPM.com or call 972-542-0072.
About Quadrant Performance Materials
QPM is a leading manufacturer of spray foam insulation systems for residential and commercial construction. We brought together the best and most experienced team in spray foam to provide unprecedented levels of value that elevate the industry. Quadrant helps our customers grow and become more profitable by delivering industry-leading products, knowledge, and exceptional customer service.
EnviroSeal® is a registered trademark of Quadrant Performance Materials.
July 11, 2024
Report: North American furniture market to experience significant growth
By Dakota Smith
July 8, 2024 | 11:09 am CDT
According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, ‘North America Furniture Market by Type and Distribution Channel: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021–2030’, the North American furniture market size was valued at $249,406.5 million in 2020 and is projected to reach $400,068.8 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 4.9% from 2021 to 2030.
The residential furniture market is anticipated to have the highest market share during the forecast period. The rise in the economy has increased the spending capacity of consumers, which in turn drives the sale of branded furniture items in the furniture market. The surge of infrastructure and real estate market boosts the demand for residential furniture products in the U.S. across the region.
According to the North American furniture market forecast, based on type, the residential segment was the highest contributor to the market, accounting for 47% of the market share in 2020, because the furniture is used for residential purposes on a large scale. Also, the surge in sales of home office furniture contributes toward the growth of the residential segment.
The impact of COVID-19 on the North American furniture market was positive due to the rise in the adoption of office furniture at home. The strict guidelines were issued during the pandemic which is based on ‘Work from Home’ and ‘Stay at Home’. These laws resulted in growth in furniture sales in North America.
Furthermore, the demand for versatile and multi-functional products that offer portability and can easily be accommodated in small spaces drives the growth of the furniture market. Furniture demand is predicted to rise as a result of the rise in urbanization and the millennial generation’s strong purchasing power. The residential segment leads the furniture market because of the rise in infrastructure and real estate market. Furthermore, advanced manufacturing technology has reduced manufacturing costs and time. However, manufacturers believe that rise in raw material prices would have a long-term impact on the market and hamper furniture market growth during the forecast period.
The commercial segment is expected to grow comparatively faster than other types witnessing a CAGR of 5.1%. The growth of the segment is driven by large enterprises, corporates, and even emerging small companies that are investing heavily in furnishing and interiors of office spaces to provide employees with comfortable and productive environments. Thus, vendors are designing office furniture that offers better comfort and minimizes stress. In addition, smart furniture is also gaining popularity.
The key players operating in the North America furniture industry are Ralph Lauren Home, Knoll, Inc., Bassett Furniture Industries, Inter Ikea Systems BV, Kimball International, Inc., HNI Corporation, Haworth, Inc., Durham Furniture Inc., Steelcase Inc., and Stickley Furniture.
Key findings of the study
- The North American furniture market size was valued at $ 249,406.5 million in 2020 and is projected to reach $ 400,068.8 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 4.9% from 2021 to 2030.
- Based on type, the residential segment accounted for the highest furniture market share in 2020, growing at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2021 to 2030.
- Based on the distribution channel, the specialty stores segment accounted for about 42.6% share of the furniture market share in 2020 and is expected to experience growth at the highest CAGR of 4.5%.
- Based on country, the U.S. accounted for about 64.4% of the furniture market size and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1%.
July 9, 2024
Dow, Texas Gulf Coast petrochemical producers begin restarting after hurricane
Jul. 09, 2024 7:35 PM ETDow Inc. (DOW) StockXOM, UNP, BRK.A, BAK, BRK.BBy: Carl Surran, SA News Editor
Texas petrochemical manufacturers are assessing damage from Hurricane Beryl and in some cases are restarting idled facilities, Dow Jones reported Tuesday.
Dow Chemical (NYSE:DOW) said it kept most of its Texas assets running throughout the storm, including sites in Deer Park, Sabine, Texas City and Beaumont.
Dow’s (DOW) huge Freeport petrochem complex, located on the Texas coast ~45 miles northeast of where Beryl made landfall, maintained operations at its major assets.
The company said it has begun the restart processes at its Seadrift, Texas, site, which was shut ahead of Beryl’s arrival.
Braskem (BAK), which had idled its Oyster Creek, Texas, polypropylene plant before the storm, reportedly was in the process of restarting Tuesday afternoon.
Exxon Mobil (XOM) reportedly notified customers that all its PP lines in Texas and Louisiana remained in operation on Tuesday.
Railroads also were making progress on storm recovery efforts, as Union Pacific (UNP) said all its affected track segments except the Galveston area have been returned to service, and Berkshire’s (BRK.A) (BRK.B) BNSF said operations have resumed in the areas of its network affected by Beryl.
July 9, 2024
Certain Alkyl Phosphate Esters From the People’s Republic of China: Postponement of Preliminary Determination in the Countervailing Duty Investigation
A Notice by the International Trade Administration on 07/05/2024
AGENCY:
Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
DATES:
Applicable July 5, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Benjamin Nathan or Gregory Taushani, Office II, AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230, telephone: (202) 482-3834 or (202) 482-1012, respectively.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On May 13, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) initiated a countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of certain alkyl phosphate esters from the People’s Republic of China. Currently, the preliminary determination is due no later than July 17, 2024.
Postponement of Preliminary Determination
Section 703(b)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act), requires Commerce to issue the preliminary determination in a CVD investigation within 65 days after the date on which Commerce initiated the investigation. However, section 703(c)(1) of the Act permits Commerce to postpone the preliminary determination until no later than 130 days after the date on which Commerce initiated the investigation if: (A) the petitioner makes a timely request for a postponement; or (B) Commerce concludes that the parties concerned are cooperating, that the investigation is extraordinarily complicated, and that additional time is necessary to make a preliminary determination. Under 19 CFR 351.205(e), the petitioner must submit a request for postponement 25 days or more before the scheduled date of the preliminary determination and must state the reasons for the request. Commerce will grant the request unless it finds compelling reasons to deny the request.
On June 21, 2024, the petitioner [1] submitted a timely request to postpone the preliminary determination in the investigation.[2] The petitioner stated that postponement of the preliminary determination is necessary because the current schedule does not provide Commerce with adequate time to fully analyze the forthcoming questionnaire responses of the mandatory respondents and issue supplemental questionnaires, as necessary.[3]
In accordance with 19 CFR 351.205(e), the petitioner submitted its request for postponement of the preliminary determination in this investigation 25 days or more before the scheduled date of the preliminary determination and stated the reasons for its request. Commerce finds no compelling reason to deny the request. Therefore, in accordance with section 703(c)(1)(A) of the Act, Commerce is postponing the deadline for the preliminary determination in this investigation to no later than 130 days after the date on which it initiated this investigation. The postponed deadline for the preliminary determination is September 20, 2024. Pursuant to section 705(a)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.210(b)(1), the deadline for the final determination in this investigation will continue to be 75 days after the date of the preliminary determination.
This notice is issued and published pursuant to section 703(c)(2) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.205(f)(1).
Dated: June 28, 2024.
Ryan Majerus,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.
Footnotes
1. The petitioner is ICL-IP America, Inc. Back to Citation
2. See Petitioner’s Letter, “Request for Postponement of the Preliminary Determination,” dated June 21, 2024. Back to Citation
3. Id.
[FR Doc. 2024-14760 Filed 7-3-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
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