Alan D. Kupfer, senior technical service engineer at Georgia Gulf Chemicals & Vinyls LLC in Plaquemine, La., has received the ASTM International Award of Merit and accompanying title of fellow from Committee D20 on Plastics. The Award of Merit is the highest organizational recognition for individual contributions to ASTM standards activities.

Kupfer was cited "for dedicated participation in Committee D20, including significant technical contributions in the development and maintenance of standards and valued leadership service as a subcommittee and main committee officer."

An ASTM International member since 1981, Kupfer is vice chairman (products) of Committee D20. He works on several D20 subcommittees and chairs Subcommittees D20.24 on Plastic Building Products and D20.95 on Recycled Plastics. For his many contributions over the years, Committee D20 has honored him with the Award of Excellence, the Outstanding Achievement Award and an Award of Appreciation. He is also a member of Committees F14 on Fences and F17 on Plastic Piping Systems, where he serves as secretary of Subcommittee F17.25 on Vinyl Based Pipe and chair of F17.63 on Drain/Waste/Vent. He is the recipient of a Certificate of Appreciation and a Special Service Award from Committee F17.

A graduate of Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Ill., where he earned a B.S. in chemistry, Kupfer received his M.S. in analytical chemistry from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. In his role as senior technical service engineer, he works with customers on PVC resin applications, formulation development and shipment specifications. Before joining the staff at Georgia Gulf Chemicals & Vinyls LLC in 1988, he held various chemist and engineering positions at Conoco Inc., Johns Mansville Corp. and J.M. Huber Corp.

In addition to ASTM International, Kupfer is a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers and the American Chemical Society, and acts as the ASTM liaison for both the Vinyl Siding Institute and the American Architectural Manufacturers Association.

Release #8003