For Immediate Release
Contact: Ralph Vasami
Kellen Company
rvasami@kellenco.com
212-297-2122
PETRA Celebrates First Anniversary
North American Pet Resin Association makes strides in Year I; among successes include launch of petresin.org
(New York, NY – February 13, 2007) - Founded in October of 2005, PETRA, the association of North American PET resin manufacturers, celebrates a successful inaugural year, having accomplished many of the trade association’s initial objectives. A lightweight and strong polymer, PET resin is used in the manufacturing of packaging for items such as carbonated soft drinks, mineral waters, juices, personal care products, prepackaged food, and more.
In its first year, PETRA formed two standing committees: the Education Product Stewardship Committee, which addresses PET resin issues in online documents, and the PET Sustainability Committee, assembled to raise public awareness of the sustainability attributes of PET resin products. Topics addressed in the Education Product Stewardship Committee’s Frequently Asked Questions documents include the definition of PET resin and how it is manufactured, the environmental impact of PET resin, and debunking the myth that refilling water bottles causes harmful materials to leach into the water.
“PETRA has achieved tremendous results in its first year,” said Ralph Vasami, Esq., PETRA Executive Director. “With a focus on industry outreach, communication and education, PETRA has been able to build upon its foundation as the premiere forum through which commercial PET resin producers can focus on issues specific to their industry and compile their expertise for educational purposes.”
As a newly created organization, PETRA also developed a brand identity with the creation of an original logo, the launch of the PETRA Web site (www.petresin.org) to serve as a main resource for inquiries into the PET resin industry, and initial dialogues with corporations and organizations, such as Wal-Mart, Plastics Europe, NAPCOR, American Plastics Council (APC), and the Association of Postconsumer Plastics Recyclers (APR). In addition, PETRA has become a member of the Food Contact Notification coalition and worked with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to continue funding for the Food Contact Notification program. This program is vital for ensuring public health and allowing for efficient introduction of new packaging materials.
Member companies, DAK Americas, LLC , Charlotte, NC; Invista, Wichita, KS; M & G Polymers USA, Houston, TX; NAN Ya Plastics Corporation USA , Livingston, NJ; Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, TN; and Wellman, Inc., Fort Mill, SC, formed the PETRA trade association in 2005 to promote the growth of PET products and represent North American PET resin producers.
Among its future objectives are focusing on issues specific to commercial PET resin producers, promoting the value of PET products to member customers, and providing accurate, factual information about PET products and the industry.
About PETRA:
PETRA is the trade association of North American PET resin manufacturers. The association is dedicated to promoting the growth of PET products and representing North American PET resin producers. PETRA follows industry issues and educates its constituents on the benefits and values of PET resin products. Visit www.petresin.org for more information or contact PETRA at 355 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1500, New York, NY 10017-6603 or 212.297.2122.