Document LJaej5DZj52eOkKMGbR0EbaOQ

minutes EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING The Willard Intercontinental Hotel 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C. Wednesday September 2, 1992 12 Noon Attendees: Alan Bailey, OxyChem Pat Benkner, Vinyl Institute Bob Burnett, Vinyl Institute Peter de la Cruz, Keller and Heckman Bruce Duerringer, Kaneka Texas Rick Flammer, Vista Chemical David Fultz, Elf Atochem Art Gellner, CertainTeed Ron Gilbert, Westlake Polymers Roy Gottesman, CMR Bill Jenkins, GE Specialty Chemicals Fred Krause, BFGoodrich Len Krauskopf, Exxon Chemical Company Brad Lienhart, Dow Chemical Company Donna Magill, PPG Industries Dave Meeker, Edward Howard and Company Bill Patient, BFGoodrich Company John Russ, Borden Chemicals and Plastics Gonzalo Sandino, Petroquimica Colombiana Meredith Scheck, Vinyl Institute (in part) Ed Schiffer, Georgia Gulf Corporation Erv Schroeder, Shintech Inc. Rick Smith, Vista Chemical Nelson Stefany, Rohm and Haas Vic Struber, Witco, Argus Division Larry Thomas, SPI Craig Toutfest, Keller and Heckman I. SELF-INTRODUCTIONS The meeting was formally opened at 1:00 p.m. following a working lunch by Chairman John Russ. Primarily for the benefit of Dr. Ron Gilbert, representative of new member Westlake Polymers, self-introductions were conducted. CTL007737 The Vinyl Institute, A Division of The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. Wayne Interchange Plaza II, 155 Route 46 West, Wayne, New Jersey 07470, (201) 890-9299 2 II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the previous Executive Board meeting held on May 27, 1992 at Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida were approved as submitted. III. REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS A report was then given by Chairman John Russ of recent meetings of the Executive Committee held on July 7th and September 2nd. Since most of the material will be repeated for the full Board, a detailed report is not required at this time. IV. FINANCIAL REPORT A financial report was submitted by Chairman Bill Patient and Bob Burnett. This covered the final report for the fiscal year 1991-1992, which had a favorable balance to budget of $192.00. However, a carryover deficit from the prior year must still be made up. With only one month to report in the new fiscal year, a report of current expenditures was dis pensed with. V. ISSUES MANAGEMENT REPORT A. Chlorine Issues Dave Meeker and Bob Burnett updated the group on activi ties related to the International Joint Commission (IJC) and cooperation with the Chlorine Institute. A great deal of activity is taking place in this regard with some progress being made with subcommittee membership of IJC organizations. Although it is unlikely that the conclu sions of the Sixth Biennial Report will be reversed, there is hope that not much action will take place on the legislative front as a result of this recommendation. Brad Lienhart then covered the CANTOX activity, which should be ready in draft form, for review, by the end of September. It is anticipated that the full report will be published by the end of the year. B. Solid Waste Fred Krause covered the current recycling programs that have been implemented or are planned across the country. 1. With finalization of an agreement with Waste Alter natives, MSS equipment has been ordered for instal lation in Ocala, Florida in our program with Waste CTL007738 3 Alternatives. pated. A mid-November start-up is antici 2. The Polysort facility in Fort Edward, New York was formally opened on August 14th, utilizing new technology from AIC. This is a P3 program, moti vated by Vinyl Institute leadership of a consortium of third bale polymer producers. 3. The Clearvue facility in Amsterdam, New York is operating the old NRT unit with excellent quality and moderate yields. A new proposal was then presented for a cooperative program with Envirothene in Chino, California utilizing NRT equipment. On motion by Bill Patient and seconded by Alan Bailey, it was decided to add another $100,00 to the VIGOR budget to provide for an equipment loan to this project. With facilities now in operation or planned in New York, Florida and California, it is felt that sufficient demon stration infra-structure exists to show that PVC is in fact, being recycled. VI. PRO-ACTIVE TASK FORCES John Russ deferred to the pro-active task force reports in the Board book and invited questions should material need to be clarified. It was felt that the material included was suffi cient for the Board at this time. VII. CALIFORNIA EIR The California EIR was updated by Roy Gottesman. There is little concrete progress to report, although a meeting was scheduled in mid-September with SPI staff in an attempt to break the log jam. VIII. LEGISLATION In the absence of Meredith Scheck, Bob Burnett updated the Board on potential legislation pending in Wisconsin, where an advisory subcommittee has recommended a ban on PVC. In cooperation with the P3, strong lobbying activity is underway to negate this approach. In response to a question from Len Krauskopf, Bob Burnett reviewed the current legislative situation in Florida, which is basically on hold. The state is essentially bankrupt, or has severe budget difficulties and it is felt with the recession deepening, particularly in that part of the country, any activity that takes away jobs would not be favorably considered. CTL007739 4 Finally, Meredith Scheck returned to the meeting and reviewed the current situation with EPA. IX. GENERAL COUNSEL Under the general counsel's report questions were raised about Klockner's action versus Greenway in the form of a complaint to FTC and a direct law suit. Klockner feels they had sufficient grounds for such action and it was applauded by the Board as a necessary step. Larry Thomas then commented on the MASSPIRG situation, where a referendum will be on the November ballot, which would require a stringent recycle content or rate performance. P3 is coordinating an advocacy effort to block this action with the chances of success rated at fifty:fifty. X. EUROPEAN UPDATE The European update was dispensed with as Willem Prinselaar was delayed in reaching the meeting. The Board was referred to the recent bi-annual report by Rolf Buhl of EVC, which updates the situation in Europe, country-by-country. XI. OLD BUSINESS A. Tripartite Conference Bob Burnett filled in the group on the Tripartite conference which was to follow. The primary purpose of this conference was to facilitate communication among all parts of the world, with respect to the environmental threats that are being addressed. With a plenary/break-out format there should be an opportunity to exchange information in this regard, as well as to facilitate discussion on individual actions that can and should be taken. It was noted that the meeting is a closed session, with no media in attendance. B. Other Rick Smith updated the Board on the newly-announced anti dumping claim by India. Rick reviewed the situation in some detail and after discussion, the Board decided not to take formal action. It was hoped that if the situa tion in Brazil is reversed, that that also would have an effect in India as well as other countries considering such action. CTL007740 5 XII. NEW BUSINESS Larry Thomas took the opportunity to appeal for aid relief in Florida. In particular, a request was made for any rolls of PVC film that could be used to provide protection for homes and business damaged by the hurricane. He indicated that it would be an opportunity for good publicity in Florida as well as Louisiana for any individual company assistance that could be made available. Alan Bailey volunteered to see what Oxy might do in this regard and will coordinate with Larry Thomas. XIII.MEMBERSHIP It was reported that the Brazilian resin producer, CPC is interested in membership in the Vinyl Institute. The Execu tive Board thought it appropriate to proceed. It was also mentioned that Allied Signal, who qualifies for the supporting membership category, is showing new interest in membership. XIV. FUTURE MEETINGS The next meeting of the Executive Board will be held on December 9th in Dallas, Texas, with an Executive Committee meeting on the previous day, December 8th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The March Board meeting has been set for March 11th in New Orleans, Louisiana, also with an Executive Committee meeting from 4:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m. on the previous day. It was decided that the Annual meeting, to take place in the Charleston, South Carolina area, would be held the week of May z4th. Respectfully submitted, Robert H. Burnett Executive Director CTL007741