First-Ever ASC Sustainability Forum Tackles Key Issues Facing Adhesives and Sealants Industry
Professionals in the adhesives and sealants industry met in September to discuss the trends, challenges, and opportunities created by the drive for sustainability.
Everyone is talking about sustainability. It is on the minds of many CEOs, including leaders in the adhesive and sealant industry. In September, the Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC) hosted its first Sustainability Forum in Pittsburgh. With sponsorships from Covestro, Arkema, and Kraton, the two-day forum gathered industry professionals to discuss pertinent topics including trends, challenges, opportunities, and market drivers within the framework of sustainability.
Chris Miller, senior global research director at Arkema Coating Resins, kicked off the forum with a keynote address, “Sustainable Development Trends and Outlook for the Adhesive and Sealant Industry.” In his address, Miller outlined the key drivers to more sustainable materials: substances of concern, alternative feedstocks, energy intensity, and sustainable performance attributes. Regarding alternative feedstocks, he used examples of how certain products from Arkema fit within the various approaches to bio-based and bio-attributed products. He outlined the elements considered when assessing energy intensity, such as energy within the process, building efficiency, and lightweighting. He then gave examples of areas for innovation that enhance sustainable performance attributes, such as longer service life, compostability, and recyclability. Finally, he gave his view of where the chemical industry is heading in the next five years in regards to sustainability.