The stomach-rattling roller-coaster ride that has been resin prices is not likely to end soon. So processors would do well to arm themselves with the most current intelligence available, at least to understand the dynamics driving such global forces as resin feedstocks and market supply/demand.
Several speakers at the Plastics News Executive Forum 2006, set for March 5-8 in Tampa, will share their insights:
* Vaughn Deasy, vice president of polymer sales for Equistar Chemicals LP, will address polyethylene.
* Former longtime Shell Chemical Co. official Dave Durand, now director of global polypropylene consulting for Townsend Polymer Services & Information, will look at PP prospects.
* Joe Venner, BASF Corp.'s director of product management and product development for engineering plastics, will discuss nylon's role in the automotive industry and beyond.
* Snehal Desai, global commercial director for NatureWorks LLC, will assess prospects for the fast-growing bio-resins sector.
* Steve Zinger, director of the global olefins practice for Chemical Market Associates Inc., will provide a global olefins outlook that factors in energy prices and the ``Katrina effect.''
Meanwhile, Melanie Cook, GE Plastics' global marketing director for transportation, will take an end-market approach, highlighting new and promising applications for engineering resins in aircraft interiors and recreational vehicles.
The 2½-day event also will address innovation, merger-and-acquisition trends, global competitiveness, marketing, intellectual property protection, workforce development and more. For details, visit www.plasticsnews.com/forum2006 or call (888) 368-7229.