AFPM’s IPC New Orleans meeting still on but some firms pull out over coronavirus

LONDON (ICIS)–The International Petrochemical Conference (IPC) in New Orleans at the end of this month is still scheduled to run but several companies have pulled out due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions.

The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) trade group, which runs the event, said in its latest update that the meeting would still take place as planned from 29-31 March.

“The health and safety of our attendees, vendors and conference staff is of utmost importance to AFPM. As such, we are monitoring updates and advice from local, state and federal agencies, and from health care organisations on a regular basis,” AFPM said in a statement on its website.

At least half a dozen companies in the chemicals, petrochemicals, and energy sectors in Europe and Asia have pulled out of the conference.

A number of other industry events have been postponed or cancelled because of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

These include the Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference (APIC) in New Delhi; the International Fertilizer Association (IFA) annual conference, also in Delhi; the European Petrochemical Luncheon (EPL) in Madrid; CERAWeek in Houston; and the World Petrochemical Conference in New Orleans.