About us

ISOPA is the European trade association for producers of diisocyanates and polyols – the main building blocks of polyurethanes.

The association was founded in 1987 and is based in Brussels, Belgium. ISOPA is an affiliated organisation of the European Chemical Industry Council, CEFIC. ISOPA’s members include BASF, BorsodChem, Covestro, Dow, Huntsman and Shell Chemicals.

ISOPA’s mission consists of three pillars: Product Stewardship, Advocacy and Communication.

 

 

Mission

Product Stewardship

ISOPA promotes the highest standards of best practice in the distribution and use of diisocyanates and polyols and works to continuously improve safety, health and environmental standards across the European polyurethanes industry.

Advocacy

ISOPA engages with policymakers at the EU & national levels to deliver relevant and up-to-date information and data on diisocyanates and polyols.

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Communication

ISOPA connects with the value chain and other industry associations to fulfil society’s present and future needs in terms of energy efficiency, safety and sustainability. ISOPA also communicates with numerous stakeholders outside the industry.

 

Timeline

1987
1987

ISOPA is founded

ISOPA was founded in Brussels to engage on policy issues

1990
1990

New research

ISOPA commissioned a series of reseach work to assess recycling and recovery options of end-of-life of polyurethane-based articles

1995
1995

First EHS programme

The Logistics EHS programme was launched to encourage the safe transport and storage of diisocyanates and polyols

1996
1996

First eco-profiles

ISOPA published the first series of life cycle inventories (or eco-profile) of polyurethanes precursors MDI, TDI and polyether polyols

1998
1998

One Step Ahead in Africa

One Step Ahead programme encouraged the safe use of TDI by flexible foam makers in Africa

2006
2006

Walk the Talk

ISOPA launched the Walk the Talk product stewardship programme to promote the safe production of polyurethane

2009
2009

Polyurethanes.org Website

ISOPA launched the Polyurethanes communication campaign with the www.polyurethanes.org website and with a YouTube channel

2006
2006

European Tranparency Register

ISOPA created an entry on the European Transparency Register

2011
2011

Polyurethanes Passive House

Construction began of the Polyurethanes Passive House in Brussels

2014
2014

Green Week

Commissioner Potozcnik visits the ISOPA Booth during the Green Week

2016
2016

Status change

ISOPA becomes an AISBL

2018
2018

New Address

ISOPA moves to the European district to be closer to policymakers

2019
2019

OEL discussions begin

Advocacy on the process by the EU to introduce an OEL

2019
2019

New guidelines

ISOPA published the 4th edition of the Guidelines for the Safe Loading/Unloading, Transportation and Storage of TDI and MDI in Bulk

2020
2020

Adoption of new restriction

Commission adopted a restriction on Diisocyanates

2022
2022

New driver training platfom

ISOPA created a digital platform to train drivers of diisocyanates

2022
2022

Emergency Guidelines

ISOPA updated the guidelines on Emergency Responses

2022
2022

New training platform

ISOPA launched the Digital Training Platform www.safeusediisocyanates.eu in the context of the REACH Restriction on Diisocyanates

2022
2022

After Covid activities

First General Assembly Meeting in person after the Covid-19 Pandemic