2020 ended on a couple high notes for plastics recycling. One at the state level and another at the federal level. In the run-up to Thanksgiving, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed into law bipartisan legislation to help jumpstart advanced plastics recycling technologies in the state. Like many other states, Pennsylvania’s former laws and regulations had […]
The COVID-19 pandemic and recent election have strained our society and economy in ways not previously seen, so it is important for us to recognize positive stories and people who are doing their part to help our country and the world become safer, cleaner and healthier. In that spirit, our industry would like to thank […]
These high phthalates are used to make products that we encounter every day, from flooring to wall coverings, to luggage and sporting equipment. Even pool liners and footwear may contain high phthalates. These chemicals provide durability across a wide range of consumer and industrial products, expanding their longevity. Our previous blogs have taken a deep […]
The Rail Customer Coalition recently sent a letter to the head of President-elect Biden’s Transportation Transition Team to share the coalition’s top policy priorities for 2021 and to urge the new administration to support STB reform. The country’s transportation network is at a tipping point due to the fact that federal policies have not been […]
Despite what has been claimed, there is no scientific consensus that exposure to certain PFAS interfere with immune response. While one research team has reported an association between levels of one PFAS (PFBA) and the severity of COVID-19 response, the results of that research have not even been peer reviewed. While the study has not […]
As we move from the first 10 risk evaluations to the next 20 high-priority risk evaluations, it is imperative that the 2016 TSCA amendments be followed for current and future risk evaluations. These amendments require the use of best available science and the weight of the scientific evidence when evaluating new and existing chemicals. They […]
As we move forward in our series on the importance of the 2016 TSCA amendments, the next chemical we are going to focus on is one that you may be somewhat familiar with, formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a critical building block chemical, but you may have heard mixed messages about this chemical compound. This blog dives […]
This year we’ve all been reminded of the importance of washing our hands often and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces in the battle against the COVID-19 virus. But we probably haven’t thought of how our nutrition intersects with our ability to fight infections, like COVID-19. Americans are generally well fed and undernourishment is not a widespread […]
PFAS (or Fluorotechnology) are a large and diverse universe of chemistries. Each has its own unique structure, uses and environmental and health profiles. It is very concerning that The Guardian has published a piece seemingly intended to frighten the public while taking the very unscientific and inappropriate approach of lumping all PFAS together as though […]
What do skis, refrigerators, and bedding have in common? You’re probably wondering how three completely different products can have any similarities, but all three are made possible through chemical building blocks known as diisocyanates. Diisocyanates are used in a wide range of polyurethane products that help enhance our everyday lives. They form tight seals, strong […]
To everyone feeling a little fatigue, a little bleary-eyed this morning, you are watching democracy in action. You may wish there had been a different or more decisive result one way or the other, but the peaceful, orderly way this is playing out shows that our system does work. Yes. It was a bitterly fought […]
In 2016, Congress passed amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), with one key piece requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use the best available science and the weight of scientific evidence when evaluating new and existing chemicals. These amendments, called the Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act, clearly established the framework for a modern […]
Last month, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution designating today Energy Efficiency Day, “in celebration of the economic and environmental benefits that have been driven by private sector innovation and Federal energy efficiency policies.” Now in its fifth year, Energy Efficiency Day is a collaborative effort of dozens of energy efficiency advocacy groups around the country. ACC and […]
In the face of a global pandemic and increasingly frequent and devastating disasters, the need for more resilient buildings and communities is apparent. Improving resiliency in the built environment will require innovations and investment in material and building science, public policy that prioritizes updated, modern building codes, and engagement from all sectors, from businesses to […]
Are you ready for Manufacturing Day? America’s chemical manufacturers are. But we’re always ready. That’s why and how the U.S. Business of Chemistry makes possible over 96% of all manufactured goods. Sure, we provide 544,000 skilled, high-paying jobs; help generate an additional 4.4 million American jobs; invested more than $10 billion in research and development […]
Silicone might sound like one material, but it is in fact a family of varied, specialty, high-performance materials. The widespread use of silicones in everything from automobiles to electronics to solar panels helps enhance existing materials and make new ones possible. Silicones are incorporated into thousands of products in a variety of industrial and consumer […]
Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve continued to say how extremely proud I am of our industry for the many ways in which it has stepped up to fight the pandemic, and today I can double down on that. Today America’s plastic makers announced a path to help jumpstart a once-in-a-generation journey, one […]
Worker and workplace safety will always be of paramount importance to the American Chemistry Council (ACC). On Tuesday, September 15, we renewed our Alliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This five-year agreement looks to continue fostering safer and more healthful American workplaces operating with diisocyanate chemistry along the polyurethane value chain. The […]
This week, Climate Week NYC is hosting a virtual meeting to bring together businesses, government leaders and climate advocates in New York City and more than 20 countries around the world in what is being billed as the biggest climate summit taking place this year. Climate change is a global challenge that requires long-term commitment […]
As part of our commitment to safety, the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI), the Diisocyanates Panel (DII), and the Aliphatic Diisocyanates Panel (ADI) have partnered with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to form a voluntary alliance that provides employees, employers, occupational physicians, and stakeholders with the information, resources, and training needed to […]