Sustainable Use of Glycerine in Foams Honored With Glycerine Innovation Award

• Trio of Pittsburg, Kan. Researchers Honored at AOCS Annual Meeting
• Annual Award Sponsored by Soap and Detergent Association, National Biodiesel Board

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Three researchers from Pittsburg State University in Kansas are the recipients of the 2009 Glycerine Innovation Award, sponsored by The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA – www.cleaning101.com) and the National Biodiesel Board.

Pittsburg researchers Zoran Petrovic, Ivan Javni and Mihail Ionescu were honored for their research that developed a new family of glycerine-based polyols – a series of organic molecules – suitable for use in rigid polyurethane foams.

These foams in turn are used in thermal insulation (refrigeration industry and construction), packaging, transportation, adhesives, sealants, and coatings. Total volume of polyols for these applications is measured in millions of tons.

The SDA/NBB Glycerine Innovation Award recognizes outstanding achievement for research into new applications for glycerine, with particular emphasis on commercial viability.

The award was presented at the 100^th Annual Meeting of the American Oil Chemists’ Society in Orlando, Florida. Recipients received a commemorative plaque and a $5,000 honorarium.

The Glycerine Innovation Award is presented annually by AOCS’ Industrial Oil Products Division. The deadline for nominations for the 2010 Award is November 1, 2009. For details, visit AOCS’ website at http://www.aocs.org/member/awards/award.cfm?awd=glycerine.

The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA – www.cleaning101.com), the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Product and Oleochemical Industries®, is a one-hundred plus member trade association representing the $30 billion U.S. cleaning products market. SDA members include the formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and oleochemical producers. SDA and its members are dedicated to improving health and the quality of life through sustainable cleaning products and practices.

The National Biodiesel Board is the nonprofit trade association representing the U.S. biodiesel industry. Its members include biodiesel producers, feedstock producers and organizations, and technology providers.