The Air Products Foundation of Allentown, Pennsylvania, recently donated $15,000 to The Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation (CGIF) and The Glass Manufacturing Industry Council (GMIC), at the 80th Conference on Glass Problems (GPC), October 28-31, 2019, held in Columbus, Ohio.
The generous donation was given for the purpose of fostering innovation by the next generation of ceramic and glass professionals.
“Air Products is committed to helping advance the ceramic and glass industries. Our team continues to focus on enabling glass producers to improve their operations through innovative combustion and industrial gas-based technologies,” said Mike Pires, Director of Strategy, Marketing and Technology – Americas at Air Products. “Through this donation to the Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation, we are investing in the development of future glass professionals.”
According to Marcus Fish, director of development for the CGIF, the support offered by Air Products is invaluable. “Student outreach is imperative to our mission of inspiring the next generation of glass and ceramic professionals in the areas of science, research, and manufacturing. The Air Products donation enables us to reach even more students, as well as teachers who inspire students in the classroom.”
Bob Lipetz, GMIC’s executive director, concurs. “The progressive vision of Air Products, as evidenced by this generous donation, will allow us to provide travel grants to engineering students to attend the Conference on Glass Problems, which is key to connecting them with industry leaders.”
The Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation was created in 2014 by The American Ceramic Society. In pursuit of its mission, the CGIF developed and manages a number of programs in the areas of K-12 student outreach, university-industry networks, student travel grants and exchanges, and student leadership development programs.
Founded in 1940, Air Products is a world-leading industrial gases company that provides atmospheric and process gases and related equipment to manufacturing markets, including glass, refining and petrochemical, metals, electronics, and food and beverage. Air Products is also the world’s leading supplier of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment.
The Glass Manufacturing Industry Council was founded in 1998 to facilitate, organize and promote the interests, economic growth, and sustainability of the glass industry through education and cooperation in the areas of technology, productivity, innovation and the environment.
