PFAS Live speakers' lineup set for Sept. 26 livestream

The speaker lineup is set for the PFAS Live editorial livestream that will be held Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. Eastern to shed light on the latest news with regard to these so-called "forever chemicals."

Rubber News and sister publications Plastics News and Sustainable Plastics are teaming up to present this free webinar, which will feature three industry speakers and a Q&A session at the end of their presentations. The three publications are all part of the Global Polymer Group of Crain Communications Inc.

PFAS Live will moderated by Rubber News Editor Bruce Meyer, and will feature these presenters:

• Cy Genna, regulatory advocacy leader for Chemours Advanced Performance Materials. Genna's talk will discuss how fluoropolymers and fluorinated gases touch nearly every sector of the economy. They are critical solutions that will enable the energy transition, electrify transport, power AI and battle the next pandemic, and there are no alternatives that possess all their unique properties while delivering the same high level of performance.

Proposed restrictions on the manufacturing, use and import of these and other PFAS substances would have a devastating impact on jobs, supply chains, the economy and the ability to achieve climate, strategic autonomy and innovation objectives. Chemours supports and advocates a coherent regulatory approach and invites companies that produce or use fluoropolymers and f-gases, their customers, and their value chains to join in seeking such objectives.

• Jay West, senior director, chemical products and technology, at the American Chemistry Council. The ACC sees per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as an important priority at all levels of government. This talk will provide an overview of U.S. state and federal legislative and regulatory developments, as well as the universal PFAS restriction proposal in the EU. The hope is that webinar participants will gain a greater awareness of laws and regulations that may affect them or their customers and which venues may merit a higher level of engagement now or in the near future.

• Industry veteran Peter Schmitt, managing director at Montesino. He founded Montesino Associates in 1996, followed in 2000 by Montesino Technologies. Montesino has worked with both material suppliers and technology suppliers to develop expertise in polymers. Schmitt will discuss how firms can navigate a changing regulatory landscape for PFAS in the polymers and plastics industries.

After each speaker has delivered their presentation, they will join together for a Q&A session to answer questions from viewers.