PMC president testifies before Congress on importance of renewable chemicals

PMC Group, a privately held global chemicals manufacturer, announced that company president Debtosh Chakrabarti testified before the House Committee on Science and Technology on the future of U.S. manufacturing and the role that chemicals based on renewable sources can play in the sustainability of the manufacturing industry. The March 17 hearings were called by Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-Tennessee) to hear testimony from industry leaders regarding the opportunities and challenges facing U.S. manufacturers, views on the future and the role that the Federal Government can play in fostering innovation and competitiveness. Also testifying were key private sector leaders in manufacturing including Dr. Susan Smyth, director of GM’s Manufacturing Systems Research, general manager of R&D, and chief scientist for Manufacturing; Dr. Len Sauers, vice president of global sustainability at Procter & Gamble; Dr. Mark Tuominen, director of the National Nanomanufacturing Network; and Wayne Crews, vice president for policy and director of tchnology studies for Competitive Enterprise Institute.

“It was encouraging today to see the bi-partisan efforts among members of Congress to address the challenges facing U.S. manufacturers,” said Chakrabarti. “Renewable chemicals represent a viable and sustainable pathway to increase high-paying jobs and reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil. Their importance should be elevated in the nation’s agenda to a position similar to biofuels.”

A video of Chakrabarti’s opening statement is available at PMC Group’s Web site at www.pmc-group.com.

PMC Group is a growth-oriented, diversified, global chemicals and plastics company dedicated to innovative solutions to everyday needs in a broad range of end markets including plastics, consumer products, electronics, paints, packaging, personal care, food, automotive and pharmaceuticals. Dedicated to sustainability, PMC derives over half of its raw materials from renewable sources and operates from a global manufacturing, innovation and marketing platform with facilities and personnel in the Americas, Europe and Asia.