Rubber Division, ARPM both plan PFAS-related events

The ACS Rubber Division and the Association for Rubber Products Manufacturers both have planned upcoming webinars and other activities to inform their members about the ongoing controversies and regulatory activity related to PFAS materials.

The Rubber Division will hold two seminars along with programming at its International Elastomer Conference in Cleveland this fall, while the ARPM is hosting a second webinar dedicated to the group of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances known commonly as PFAS.

The Indianapolis-based ARPM's webinar is titled "PFAS: A Deeper Dive," and it will be held on Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. Eastern. It is a follow-up to the association's earlier "PFAS Explained" webinar.

Attendees will hear an update from three PFAS experts:

• Stephen Zins of SME will provide attendees with an overview of PFAS, its use and the current regulatory climate;
• Kevin Custer of Pace Laboratories will explain analytical methods for testing; and
• Angela Krahulik of Ice Miller L.L.P. will share an update on PFAS-related legislation and litigation.

Registration is available at here. Cost is free for members and $35 for non-members.

The Akron-based ACS Rubber Division will be holding free webinars on Aug. 9 at 1 p.m. Eastern and Sept. 6 at noon Eastern.

The Aug. 9 even twill give updates on regulatory and advocacy activities related to fluoropolymers—including fluoroelastomers—in the U.S., European Union and United Kingdom. It will be presented by Deepak Kapoor, vice president of marketing and fluoropolymer strategy for Indian materials producer Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd.. He will share information on various activities on PFAS with a focus on its impact to the fluoropolymer industry in the US and EU.

The Sept. 6 webinar is titled "PFAS: The Situation & The Challenge." It will be presented by Jessica Mattison of Eriks USA and Carrie McMichael of Solvay. A more detailed description will be presented later.

To register visit here.

The Rubber Division also will hold a number of PFAS-related events at the IEC in Cleveland, Oct. 17-19.

The association will hold a technical symposium as part of the IEC's technical meeting that will address concerns around proposed regulation of PFAS chemicals, how companies in the fluoropolymer space are responding and technologies behind the search for safer alternatives.

Additional presentations on the topic of PFAS will be held in the Expo Theater on the exhibition floor. Those talks will cover proposed regulations, which materials are being considered for regulation and why, and how companies can be proactive in planning for coming regulations.

The Rubber Division also will have a PFAS panel at the IEC to discuss the regulatory environment and proposed PFAS regulations impacting fluoroelastomer and fluoropolymer markets.

The schedule for the symposia, Expo Theater presentations and panel will be posted on rubberiec.org once finalized.