The Color Pigments Manufacturers Association (CPMA) heard from several industry experts, honored retiring board members and committee chairs, and shared key regulatory and advocacy accomplishments from the year at its 87th Annual Meeting on Dec. 6, 2016, at the Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan in New York.
 
“In looking back on the past year, there were many regulatory accomplishments for the color pigments industry that we are particularly proud of,” said CPMA president John Marten. “As we move forward into 2017, CPMA will continue to proactively engage with regulators, stakeholders and downstream customers on North American and international challenges.” 
 
During the Annual Meeting, Dr. Walther Hofherr, executive director of the Ecological and Toxicological Association of Dyes and Organic Pigments Manufacturers (ETAD), provided insight on regulatory challenges facing the pigments industry in Europe, and Dale Pritchett, group publisher of Rodman Media, shared top stories in 2016 from the coatings and inks markets.
 
Dan Moss, director of government relations at the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA), discussed the new political landscape, including future opportunities and challenges for the chemical industry, and Jennifer Abril, the new SOCMA president and CEO, shared her vision for SOCMA and CPMA’s collaborative relationship.
 
Highlighting the event, CPMA recognized retiring board members Matt McClure of Apollo Colors and Mike Klein of Dominion Colour for their many years of dedicated service and leadership. Marten noted Klein’s valuable guidance as past board chair and longtime board and executive committee member. Klein reflected on the shift of the color pigments industry over the years and the significance of CPMA’s role as the industry voice.
 
Additionally, CPMA celebrated 2016 accomplishments and recognized the integral leadership of General Issues Committee chair Steve Camenisch of BASF Colors & Effects, Organic Pigments Committee chair Dr. Robert Mott of Sun Chemical, and Inorganic Pigments Committee chair Aram Terzian of EMD Performance Materials.
 
In 2016, the association:
• Provided industry expertise about the chemical properties and performance requirements of color pigments at the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference.
• Advocated for the passage of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) reform and engaged regulators on the future implementation process.
• Collaborated with stakeholders to advocate for a consistent nanomaterials definition in North America.
• Concluded a successful multi-year collaboration with the Canadian Ministries on the Second Phase of the Chemicals Management Plan, resulting in the continued use of diarylide and monoazo pigments in commerce.
• Represented industry in U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council Chemicals Management activities.
• Provided members with guidance for duty suspension application under the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill.
• Participated in partner association events, including the National Association for Printing Ink Manufacturers annual conference, the EUROCOLOUR International Technical Meeting and ETAD’s General Assembly.