Disclosure of Interest Declarations - TEAP Flexible and Rigid Foams Technical Options Committee (FTOC) - As of May 2008

Mr. Paul Ashford                                                                             UK (Non-A5)
See TEAP disclosure

Prof. Miguel W. Quintero                                                               Colombia (A5)
See TEAP disclosure  

Kiyoshi Hara                                                                             Japan (Non-A5)
Kiyoshi Hara is working as a consultant in Japan Polyurethane Industries Institute. He has been a member of FTOC since 1999 and participated in the Task Force on Foam E-o-L issues as an expert in the polyurethane and phenolic Foam industries in Japan. He was a member of a national project “Investigation of CFC recovery from the construction” sponsored by METI. Previously, Mr. Hara was Secretary General of Japan Industrial Conference for Ozone Layer Protection (JICOP) from 1994 to 2002, seconded from Asahi Glass. He had 40 years experience in Fluorocarbon applications, 35 years in Chlorinated Solvent applications and 30 years in Polyurethane Foam technologies. He worked in Asahi Glass from 1961 to 2002. He received 1997 Stratospheric Ozone Layer Protection Award by US-EPA. His participation in FTOC activities is funded by the Japan Polyurethane Industries Institute.

Michael S. Hayslett                                                                    USA (Non-A5)
Mike Hayslett is a Leader for material development for Whirlpool Corporation. He has been a member of Appliance Research Consortium (ARC) Insulation Technical Advisory Committee (ITAC) since 1995. He has worked in the appliance industry since 1994. His participation in FTOC activities is funded by the Appliance Research Consortium.

Mike Jeffs                                                                             Belgium (Non-A5)
Mike Jeffs is the Secretary General of ISOPA, the European Diisocyanates and Polyols Association. He has been in this role since 2002 and is seconded from Huntsman. The members of ISOPA are Bayer, Dow, Elastogran (BASF), Huntsman, Lyondell, Repsol and Shell. He has been employed by ICI and Huntsman for more than 39 years and has been involved in the polyurethane industry since 1975. ISOPA funds his current work in support of the Montreal Protocol. He has been e member of the Foams TOC since 1990 and lead author on rigid foams since 1993. He has been a contributor to both the TEAP Special Report on the Implications to the Montreal Protocol of the Inclusion of HFCs and PFCs in the Kyoto Protocol (1999) and the IPCC/TEAP Report on Safeguarding the ozone layer and the global climate system: issues related to hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons (2005). He was a member of The World Bank Ozone Operations Resource Group (OORG) where he covered all foam issues relating to the World Bank’s activities for the Multilateral Fund from its setting up in 1992 to the OORG’s disbandment in 2006. This included responsibilities for project review. His current role includes engagement with EU institutions on chemicals issues including the regulations on fluorinated gases.

Candido Souza Lomba Neto                                                            Brazil (A5)
Candido Souza Lomba Neto, Foam TOC Member since 1997, is an Economist working at the trade association ABRIPUR as Executive Secretary. His responsibilities include legal issues, financial issues, marketing issues, technical support to the industry for Environmental Programs, Quality Assurance Programs, Export Programs, Participation in National and International Exhibitions and any other activity to improve the business of ABRIPUR members. Relating to Montreal Protocol his most relevant activities have been as collaborator in the Brazilian Ozone Layer Programme (1993-94) and in-country consulting for various Implementing Agencies under the Montreal Protocol (1994 to present). His work has assisted more than 200 companies to phase-out CFCs as blowing agents for foam processes. Candido’s time for participation in FTOC activities is funded by ABRIPUR, whilst his travel costs and other expenses are supported through the Ozone Secretariat.

Yehia Lotfy                                                                                          Egypt (A5)
Yehia Lotfy has been a member of the Rigid and Flexible Foams Technical Options Committee (TOC) since 1990. He is the managing director and owner of Technocom for Commercial Agencies, a consulting and trading company covering the needs of the different industries and sectors where polyurethanes, solvents, blowing agents and refrigerants are used (materials, equipments and know how). He previously worked for ICI from 1980 to 2000 in charge of the technical services for polyurethane products; solvents, refrigerants and related equipment in different sectors (appliances, constructions, transport, furniture, automotive, foot wear, coating,...etc). From 1989 to 2002, he worked as the local consultant for UNDP and UNIDO to assist the Egyptian government and the local enterprises to implement the Montreal Protocol Projects for the (ODS) phasing out in the Foam and Refrigeration sectors. Mr. Yehia Lotfy has been involved over the last 27 years in the consultation and the start up of many projects in the different Polyurethane applications in Egypt and other Arab countries. His time commitment to FTOC activities is covered by Technocom, whilst his travel costs and other expenses are supported through the Ozone Secretariat.

Kirsten Makel                                                                             USA (Non-A5)
Kirsten Makel, a member of the Foam Technical Options Committee since 2006, is the Global Business Director responsible for the Foams, Solvents and Aerosols market sector at Arkema Inc. Makel joined Arkema (formerly ATOFINA Chemicals, Inc.) in 1990 and has been involved in the Fluorochemicals business for the past 11 years. Promoted to Business Director in 2006, Makel is responsible for the strategic leadership and financial results of the global business. This position establishes and implements the short-term and long-term strategic business plans, which includes all R&D programs and understanding the implications of global environmental regulations. As HCFC blowing agents are being phased out under the Montreal Protocol, she has been intimately involved with the commercialization of next generation foam technologies for the PUR, PIR and XPS industries. In her previous roles as Business Manager North America (2004-2006) and Global New Business Development Manager (2001- 2004), Makel lead the Fluorochemical division’s global efforts to develop and commercialize next generation foam technologies to replace HCFCs. Her participation in the FTOC is funded by Arkema Inc.

Christoph Meurer                                                               Germany (Non-A5)
Christoph Meurer joined Solvay in 1996 and held several positions in the field of technical service for HFCs in their various applications. In 2005 he became Technical Service Manager for all HFC applications (blowing agents, refrigerants, feedstock, aerosols). In this function he works with the foam industry in the development and optimisation of foam formulations based on non-ODS substitutes. As of 1st of April 2007 Christoph has taken over new responsibilities as Global Technical Marketing Manager for blowing agents, feedstock and solvents. . Christoph joined the Foams TOC in 2005. His participation in FTOC activities is fully funded by Solvay.

Mudumbai Saragapani                                                                      India (A5)
Mr Sarangapani is the Secretary General of the Polyurethane Council of India and has served as a member of the Foams Technical Options Committee since its inception. Travel costs and other related expenses incurred while participating in FTOC activities are covered by the Ozone Secretariat.

Ulrich Schmidt                                                                    Germany (Non-A5)
Ulrich Schmidt joined Haltermann in 1986 as R&D Manager for hydrocarbons. Since the early 1990’s he was involved in the implementation of pentanes as blowing agents for PU foams as a CFC replacement. His activities were initially concentrated in Europe but have since been extended to cover overseas areas as well. Following the purchase of Haltermann by The Dow Chemical Company in 2002, Ulrich has maintained this function. Ulrich has been a member of the Foams TOC since 2001 and his continued involvement is funded in full by The Dow Chemical Company.

Bert Veenendaal                                                                          USA (Non-A5)
Bert Veenendaal is specialized in environmental compliance, environmental remediation and sustainable industrial process technologies. He has 35 years experience in the handling of chemicals in a sustainable way in a true international setting. Since January 1992 he has worked as an independent consultant through his own company, Rappa, Inc, primarily as a contractor to UNDP on projects supported under the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol. Some of his activities include engineering assistance, industry-wide emission studies, technical assessments, project and process assistance for more than 300 projects in about 30 countries worldwide, workshops and demonstration programs for foams and in refrigeration, design, preparation and implementation of study missions, chemical safety training for foam and appliance manufacturers, air permit acquisitions in the USA for PU foam manufacturers, petitions and other submissions to the USEPA. Before, Mr. Veenendaal had managing positions in the PU foam industry in the USA and Germany. He has been a member of the UNEP Foams Technical Options Committee since 1989. Rappa Inc funds Mr. Veenendaal’s participation in the FTOC.

Shigeru Wakana                                                                       Japan (Non-A5)
Shigeru Wakana is a technical committee member of Extruded Polystyrene Foam Association in Japan, and also has 23 years technical experience in extruded polystyrene foam business with Dow Kakoh K.K. He is now R&D/TS&D Leader for Dow Kakoh. K.K. He has been a member of Foams TOC since 2004 and was a member of a project “Investigation of CFC recovery from the construction” sponsored by METI. His participation in FTOC activities is full funded by The Dow Chemical Company.

Mark Weick                                                                                 USA (Non-A5)
Mark Weick has 25 years technical experience in plastic foams business and technology with The Dow Chemical Company. He has served in a variety of research, technical service, management, and business leadership roles with Dow dealing with styrenic, ethylenic, and urethane foam products. He currently serves as the Environment, Health and Safety Global Product Stewardship Leader for Dow’s Building Solutions business unit. He has been a member of the UNEP Rigid and Flexible Foams Technical Options Committee since 2003, and assumed Lead Author responsibilities for the polystyrene foams sector in 2006. Mark’s participation in FTOC related activities is funded by The Dow Chemical Company.

David J. Williams                                                                        USA (Non-A5)
Mr. David J. Williams has been a member of the Foams Technical Options Committee since 1996. Since 1994, Mr. Williams has worked at Honeywell’s Buffalo Research Laboratory in Buffalo New York in the fluorocarbon blowing agent technology group and since 1998 has been the manager of this group. In this role, Mr. Williams is responsible for the development and technical support of Honeywell’s fluorocarbon blowing agents used in the production of rigid polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, and phenolic foams and in extruded thermoplastic foams. Prior to this, Mr. Williams worked for 20 years for The Dow Chemical Company/The Upjohn Company in various roles related to the development and technical support for polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, and extruded polystyrene foams or foam systems. He owns stock in companies that now or previously manufactured ozonedepleting substances and products made with or containing ozone-depleting substances and their substitutes and alternatives. Participation of Mr. Williams in FTOC related activities is funded by Honeywell.

Jinhuang Wu                                                                               USA (Non-A5)
Dr. Jinhuang Wu has been a member of the Foams Technical Options Committee since 2000. He was also a lead author of the “IPCC/TEAP Special Report: Safeguarding the ozone layer and the global climate system: issues related to hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons.” From 1997 to 2005, Jinhuang worked for Arkema Inc. (formerly known as ATOFINA Chemicals, Inc. and Elf Atochem N.A.), where he was responsible for application development of blowing agents in rigid insulating foams including polyurethane and extruded polystyrene. He is currently an employee of Huntsman. His current responsibilities include research and development of polyurethane based technologies. He owns stocks in companies that produce chemicals for foam and refrigerant applications. Jinhuang Wu’s continued participation in FTOC activities is funded by the Huntsman Corporation.

Qiang Xu                                                                                            China (A5)
Mr. Xu is currently R&D Director for Shanghai Haohai Chemical Corporation,Ltd. He has worked in the Chinese polyurethanes industry for over 20 years and is a member of the China Polyurethane Industry Association. He joined the FTOC in 2005 and his travel costs and associated expenses are covered by the Ozone Secretariat.

Allen Zhang                                                                                       China (A5)
Allen Zhang has 10 years technical and management experience in extruded polystyrene foam technology and business with Owen Corning. He has served in a variety of production technical, operation management, and business leadership roles with Owens Corning dealing with XPS and fibreglass insulations operations. He currently serves as insulation manufacturing leader to be accountable for five plants operations for Owens Corning Asia Pacific. He has been a member of ISO/TC61 since 2002 and lead author of China national XPS product standard. He is very familiar with China foam industry. He has been a member of the UNEP Rigid and Flexible Foams Technical Options Committee since 2005. His participation is directly funded by Owens Corning with travel and other expenses eligible for cover by the Ozone Secretariat.