Gene Palermo, Ph.D. was presented with the Plastics Pipe Institute Lifetime Achievement Award for his nearly five decades of contributions to the plastics pipe industry. PPI President David M. Fink presented the award to Palermo during the association’s annual meeting in May. PPI is the major North American trade association representing the plastic pipe industry.

Palermo began his career in the plastic piping industry in 1976 when he joined the DuPont Aldyl pipe group, and today he continues to be recognized as the industry’s expert in Aldyl piping systems.  Later at Elf Atochem he was instrumental in developing polyamide as a plastic material for high-pressure gas piping systems and then served as the Technical Director of PPI for eight years. During that time, he chaired the Hydrostatic Stress Board and represented the United States on several ISO Technical Committees. As technical director, Palermo oversaw PPI’s Fuel Gas Division, High-Temperature Division, CPPA (Corrugated Polyethylene Pipe Association) and the Conduit Division. He later founded and continues to operate Palermo Plastics Pipe Consulting.

“For almost 20 years Gene has been a consultant for the plastic piping industry, and has assisted several PPI member companies in promoting the use of their plastic piping systems,” Fink said.  “A sought-out speaker, he has given more than a hundred presentations on plastic pipe at many industry conferences and has authored more than 50 papers, plus he has also received the ASTM Award of Merit and the AGA Platinum Award of Merit.  Currently, Palermo serves as a member of PPI, AGA, GPTC (former Chairman of Manufacturers Division), AWWA, ASTM F 17 and ASTM D 20, CSA B137, CSA Z662 (former Chairman of Clause 12 Gas Distribution) and ISO/TC 138.

“Dr. Palermo represents the highest standard of knowledge and generosity in sharing his expertise.” Fink continued. “His contributions to the industry are countless, and it is with great gratitude from our industry to present him with the Plastics Pipe Institute Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Additional information can be found at www.plasticpipe.org.