ORLANDO, FLA. (October 8, 2026) – Yesterday, the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) presented its Distinguished Leadership Awards to Covestro’s Steven Reinstadtler and Dow’s Chris Thiede during the 2026 Polyurethanes Technical Conference.
The Distinguished Leadership Award honors individuals whose leadership, technical expertise and commitment to science have made a lasting impact on CPI and the polyurethanes industry.
“Steven and Chris represent the very best of leadership in the polyurethanes industry,” said Jason Sloan, director of CPI. “They have dedicated decades to advancing technical knowledge while generously sharing their expertise with the next generation of professionals. Their contributions to CPI, this conference and the broader industry extend far beyond their own accomplishments. We are incredibly fortunate to recognize them with this year’s Distinguished Leadership Awards.”
Steven Reinstadtler has 38 years of experience in the polyurethanes industry and currently serves as senior business development manager at Covestro. A longtime CPI contributor, Reinstadtler has judged posters, received multiple Best Paper Awards and served as an instructor for CPI’s Professional Development Program for 11 years, teaching polyurethane coatings and elastomers. He has also spent more than 30 years supporting STEM education in his community, sharing his passion for science with students through programs including i3 STEM and the Carnegie Science Center.
Chris Thiede has been a longtime contributor to CPI and the Polyurethanes Technical Conference, serving on the conference committee and regularly presenting technical papers. For more than a decade, he has taught CPI’s Flexible Polyurethane Foam Market Overview course through the Professional Development Program and recently developed and began teaching a course on AI Governance and Practical Use in Chemistry. Thiede has also provided technical expertise to CPI’s Fire Safety Work Group, supporting industry advocacy efforts that helped transition California’s flammability standard for upholstered furniture into a national federal standard in 2021.
The 2026 Polyurethanes Technical Conference also featured the Polyurethane Innovation Award — won by Carpenter Co. — 12 technical sessions, 20 posters, 60 presentations and 43 exhibitors.
