This month at the winter games, outstanding athletes from around the world are gathering in PyeongChang to compete for the gold. No matter the sport— from skiing to bobsledding to curling and figure skating, athletes rely on the unique properties of silicones to improve performance. Here are just a few of the areas where silicones […]
Wow, that was fast. Congress’s historic tax reform bill, the ‘Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’ (H.R. 1) took effect earlier this month, and companies are already announcing plans for new U.S. investments made possible in part by the new law. On Monday, ExxonMobil shared the news that the company plans to invest $50 billion over […]
By Amy Graydon, Guest contributor Chemicals are essential to our everyday lives. It is hard to think of a field that does not use chemicals—from developing medicines and providing refrigeration for our food supply, to manufacturing fuel for our vehicles and building microchips for our smartphones. We rarely think of these helpful building blocks as […]
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) announced in December 2017 that it will again review EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Previous NAS reports, one in 2011 and another in 2014, found serious problems with IRIS and offered sweeping recommendations to overhaul the program. NAS is not alone in identifying critical issues that need reform […]
There’s been a lot of negative news coverage on recycling. And while plastic recycling markets face serious challenges, there are areas that are making significant strides. One of those areas is plastic film recycling. Earlier this month, I spoke with PlasticsToday about plastic film recycling, including industry initiatives that are helping to grow the recovery […]
The FluoroCouncil launched a new website this week that showcases information on the benefits and safety of fluorinated chemistries. Fluorinated chemistries, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are a diverse group of chemistries characterized by the strong bond between fluorine and carbon. Fluorinated chemistries provide products with the resilience and durability they require and such products can […]
You may have seen a recent article in The New York Times that is the latest in a string of misleading stories about current and former ACC employees. This one paints a dubious picture of emails between one of our employees and Dr. Michael Dourson. Background In the past, ACC has worked with respected experts […]
Food waste is a major issue for our environment, and for our families. According to the USDA up to 40 percent of all food produced in the U.S. goes uneaten. While most surveyed Americans (91 percent!) say preventing food waste in their homes is “very important” many of us are not aware of how plastics […]
By Alexis Schlatre, Guest Contributor August and September were marked by three of the largest hurricanes the United States has seen since Hurricane Wilma in 2005. The damage from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria are widespread throughout Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean, leaving thousands of people out of their homes and businesses disrupted for weeks. […]
This year on America Recycles Day (November 15, #BeRecycled), there’s a lot of discussion about challenges facing the recycling industry. A recent example: the 2016 dip (2.4%) in plastic bottle recycling, which reversed twenty-five years of growth and a five-year compounded annual growth rate of 2.1%. So, what happens when an enterprise that has seen […]
This has been a difficult year for the many Americans who have experienced wildfires and storm-related flooding. So it’s also a fitting time to honor the heroes who put their lives on the line to protect us. They run into burning homes, brave floodwaters, battle raging wildfires, and help stop epidemics. To honor those who […]
“Sixty years – what a milestone,” remarked 2017 conference committee chair Melissa Rose during the opening session of the 2017 Polyurethanes Technical Conference. 2017 conference committee chair Melissa Rose “Think about it: leading figures in our field have been convening every year for six decades, and each time bring new ideas and insights from the […]
By Lee Salamone and Sahar Osman-Sypher You may have heard that ACC recently signed an agreement with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to form a National Alliance. The whole idea behind this voluntary partnership initiative is to continue to foster safe and healthy American workplaces operating with diisocyanate chemicals along the polyurethane value chain. […]
It’s National Nanotechnology Day! A day for raising awareness of nanotechnology and celebrating the science of the small. What is nanotechnology and how small is it? Nanotechnology involves the use of incredibly small pieces of matter. How small? “Nano” means a billionth of a meter. To put that in perspective, an average human hair is […]
Last week, we wrote about a victory for American consumers after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a San Francisco ordinance requiring warning labels on soda advertisements. The court said the labels were “deceptive” and “misleading” and violated the First Amendment. This week, excessive California warning labels are back in the spotlight after the […]
In a victory for all Americans who believe they have a right to consumer information that is accurate and based on fact, a federal appeals court unanimously ruled last week to block a San Francisco ordinance that it said likely violates the First Amendment right to free speech. The ordinance in question requires fixed advertising […]
SABIC’s LEXAN polycarbonate sheets are featured in the ICEhouse (i.e. Innovation for the Circular Economy) This year, the concept of ‘resiliency’ in the building landscape has emerged as more than a buzzword – it’s a key priority for builders, architects and building occupants alike. Many regions around the world are increasingly subject to the rigors […]
SABIC’s LEXAN polycarbonate sheets are featured in the ICEhouse (i.e. Innovation for the Circular Economy) This year, the concept of ‘resiliency’ in the building landscape has emerged as more than a buzzword – it’s a key priority for builders, architects and building occupants alike. Many regions around the world are increasingly subject to the rigors […]
Chemical manufacturing in North America is an illustration of the promise of free trade and regional economic integration. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has played an important role building a North American market for chemical manufacturers and their customers. Modernizing NAFTA presents an opportunity to take that promise even further. The data tell […]
The devastating impacts from Hurricane Harvey have displaced thousands of people in Texas and Louisiana and completely upended their lives. As our neighbors in the Gulf Coast begin the difficult process of putting their lives and homes back together, the chemical industry is trying to help with the recovery effort. One of the most acute […]