Now in it's 5th year, IntertechPira's Cleaning Products conference is constantly evolving to reflect and examine the hottest topics in the industry. One of our co-chairs, Dr. Steve Bolkan, Director of Research at Church & Dwight Co. Inc. shared his vision for this year's event:

[IntertechPira]: As part of the Advisory Board for this year's Cleaning Products, how do you see the event developing?

[Bolkan]: Building upon the success of the previous conferences we are striving to make the upcoming conference even more exciting and relevant to those in the cleaning industries.   We will want to highlight innovation, marketing trends, and current issues facing our industries.       

[IntertechPira]: What sets apart Cleaning Products 2011 and why are the key reasons that people should attend this year?

[Bolkan]: The Cleaning Products 2011 Conference is the ideal venue for getting maximum in networking with minimum out of office time.   Here you will get an opportunity to hear from various industry leaders and obtain previews on emerging technologies and market assessments all within a two and ½ day conference.  

[IntertechPira]: What are the key issues/trends affecting the industry from your perspective?

[Bolkan]: Marketing and technology are critical to the success of the cleaning industry.    Key issues today that we face are the uncertain and volatile economic factors that drive raw material and consumer prices and at the same time to ensure a continuance of viable innovation to drive new products to the market.     

[IntertechPira]: What are you looking forward to listen/learn at this year's conference?

[Bolkan]: At this year's conference I am looking forward to hear new perspectives on existing issues and breaking trends and emerging technologies on new items.    It is the best of both worlds. 

About Dr. Steve Bolkan:

In 1991 he joined Church & Dwight's R&D team in Princeton New Jersey as a Senior Manager. Here he has held a variety of product development responsibilities and over the last several years has helped advance applications in detergents, hard surface cleaners, industrial cleaners, blasting media, water chemistry, animal nutrition products, and specialty bicarbonate applications. Dr. Bolkan has over twenty five patents and publications which outline his R&D achievements. His present role at Church and Dwight is the Director of Technology and New Product Exploratory.

His current interests continue to focus on developing industrial and consumer applications for surfactants and the translation of chemistry into safe and valued consumer products. Dr. Bolkan been a member of AOCS for over 20 years and has held leadership roles within the Soaps and Detergents Division for the last 4 years and is the present Chairman of the Division.