The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry of the American Chemistry Council on Oct. 5 announced two CPI Distinguished Leadership Award recipients: Nigel Barksby of Covestro and Mary Bogdan of Honeywell. These awards were presented during the awards luncheon at the 2022 Polyurethanes Technical Conference in National Harbor, Maryland.

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has released a “Blueprint for an Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights,” consisting of five principles to guide the design, use and deployment of automated systems to protect the American public in the age of artificial intelligence.

The construction industry added 19,000 employees in September as it boosted wages for hourly workers at the fastest rate in 40 years, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government data. Association officials said that even with the pay raises, many contractors are still having a difficult time finding qualified workers to hire.

The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry of the American Chemistry Council announced on Oct. 5 that Carbon’s EPU 44 has won the 2022 Polyurethane Innovation Award. The Innovation Award is renowned throughout the polyurethane industry and recognizes companies and individuals whose visions and perseverance bring new innovative, life-enhancing products, technologies and initiatives to the marketplace.

The Internal Revenue Service has released for public comment six long-awaited notices listed below on implementation of different tax benefits in the Inflation Reduction Act. These include one guidance document focused on the prevailing wage, apprenticeship and domestic content requirements to qualify for increased or bonus credit (or deduction) amounts for energy tax credits in the IRA, related to Section 179D and other parts of the tax code.

SmithGroup, one of the nation’s leading integrated design firms, has opened its latest office in Sacramento, California. This location adds to the firm’s strong presence in Northern California, deepening its connections in the growing metropolitan area and Central Valley region.

The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry announced on Oct. 5 that The 2021 End-Use Market Survey on the Polyurethanes Industry in the United States, Canada and Mexico is now available for purchase from the ACC store. The study is the result of a three-year survey on the polyurethanes industry in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Precisional, an affiliate of The Jordan Company, announced on May 9 that it has completed the previously announced transaction to acquire four industrial technology businesses from Trimble. The acquired businesses include Protempis (formerly Trimble Time and Frequency), LOADRITE, Spectra Precision Tools and SECO.

Sarah Sinovic has joined ROCKWOOL North America as Director of Public Affairs & Communications. Sinovic will draw on her experience working with and for elected officials and stakeholders from multiple sectors to engage policymakers, journalists and communities throughout the United States and Canada to advance ROCKWOOL’s efforts to meet critical climate action targets and build awareness about the organization’s vision for a decarbonized future.

R. L. Reppert, Inc. has partnered with Central Elementary School to organize a holiday drive to collect basic necessities and food items for low-income families in the Allentown School District. The holiday season is hard enough on families, but these students feel that pressure more than most due to the lack of basic necessities.