Commentary
This month, Commentary is provided by guest editorialist Greg Johnson,
President of the National Aerosol Association (NAA).
Old Legends & the Future
The decree stated, “Whoever can pull the great sword from the stone is the
rightful King.” After all the strongest knights failed, a young squire named
Arthur easily drew the famed Excalibur. How did he do it? Penetrating
aerosol lubricant!
When the going gets tough and you need a little magic, nothing works like an
aerosol.
Like Arthur’s round table, the National Aerosol Association (NAA) strives to
bring the industry together. Each region of the U.S. is unique with its own aerosol
opportunities and challenges. The NAA, however, is the only national trade association
in North America dedicated exclusively to the aerosol product form. With a
mission to protect, promote and support the aerosol industry, the NAA serves the
industry whenever and wherever necessary. Drawing on the strength of 37 member
companies and an exemplary staff, the NAA leads where others fear to tread.
In March of 2018, the aerosol industry gathered together in Nashville, TN for
the first time in an all-aerosol Summit meeting. The Eastern Aerosol Association
(EAA), Midwest Aerosol Association (MAA), Southern Aerosol Technical Association
(SATA), Western Aerosol Information Bureau (WAIB), British Aerosol Manufacturers
Association (BAMA), Household & Commercial Products Association
(HCPA), American Coatings Association (ACA), NAA and others were represented
at the Summit. The best word to describe the atmosphere was “enthusiastic.” The
sense that a new era is dawning was palpable. A unity heretofore unseen suggests
the potential for a paradigm shift.
As always, the road ahead is lined with many challenges. The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and other regulatory agencies have been dazed by punches
from the Trump administration, but they will undoubtedly recover and soon be
back with a barrage of new actions. Ingredient Disclosure, Ozone Reduction,
Climate Change, Chemical Toxicity, Extended Producer Responsibility and many
other agendas will continue to challenge the resources of the industry for decades to
come. However, our industry—united in purpose and cause—is more than a match
for such assailment.
In 2018, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will issue survey results
and summaries in preparation for another round of consumer products regulation.
With a recent study published in Science magazine claiming consumer products
are responsible for more air pollution than currently attributed, it is certain that
pressure to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in aerosol products will not
abate any time soon. Once again, the industry will be called upon to innovate with
new solvents, ingenious formulations, improved delivery and maybe even a little
magic.
As the decade edges toward its end, technology is delivering on many new ideas
such as electric cars, reusable space rockets, artificial intelligence and a drone in
every garage. These inventions provide the aerosol industry with more opportunity
than ever before. Working together, we will create new and innovative aerosols as
well.
So, to sum it up, a quote from the famous scholar George Carlin: “Some people
see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and
ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
Let’s get to work and “Make More Magic”!
Greg Johnson
President, NAA
6 Spray June 2018
Spray Technology & Marketing
Cynthia Hundley
Publisher
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Technical Editor
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Vice President, Administration
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Production
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Graphic Artist
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Reader Service Coordinator
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Circulation
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Volume 28, No. 6 June, 2018
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