CPI Announces Keynote Speaker for 2021 Polyurethanes Technical Conference

The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) today announced that Joshua Baca, vice president of the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Plastics Division, will deliver the keynote at the 63rd Polyurethanes Technical Conference on Oct. 5, 2021.  The conference will take place Oct. 5-7, at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.

This year’s keynote will cover the integral role plastics play in achieving a lower-carbon future as well as America’s Plastic Makers’ commitment to making sustainable change. Additionally, Baca will share ACC’s recently announced federal policy vision for accelerating a circular economy, the formation of the durable goods leadership initiative that showcases the role durable plastics play in enabling a lower-carbon future, and support for a United Nations (UN) agreement focused on ending plastic waste. These model approaches are helping the entire plastics industry lead with solutions that will provide lasting change.

“Polyurethanes and plastics are critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating eco-friendly products that help build a better tomorrow, yet plastics are facing an existential threat,” said Lee Salamone, senior director, CPI. “Joshua is leading advocacy efforts on behalf of the industry to fight this threat while working to put plastics at the forefront of action to advance the circular economy.”

Having joined ACC last September as vice president of the Plastics Division, Baca has led a robust effort to define the plastics industry’s course of action when it comes to sustainability and circularity advocacy solutions. In his role, he’s responsible for overseeing and advancing a science-based policy agenda, national outreach, and sustainability initiatives to support plastic makers all over the globe. Prior to his role at ACC, Baca oversaw public affairs at the American Beverage Association, where he successfully launched a new plastics sustainability initiative and helped advance community-based recycling projects after a career in government and politics.

“Environmental sustainability is a core tenet of ACC. From lightweighting our cars, insulating our homes and helping build renewable energy infrastructure, plastics are enabling a more sustainable future,” said Baca. “Plastics such as polyurethanes have been shown to have a comparative net benefit for the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions overall. And when it comes to what’s best for our environment, America’s Plastic Makers are invested in keeping plastics out of landfills and in a circular economy. I look forward to sharing my insights on key advocacy issues as well as the great work our industry is doing to promote a more sustainable future.”

ACC takes the health of its members, staff, and meeting attendees seriously. We have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and the guidance of local, federal, and international health authorities. The 2021 Polyurethanes Technical Conference is currently being planned as an in-person event. Should current plans change, information will be posted on the CPI website.