Chemical Processing Distilled

As manufacturers welcome a potential rollback of Biden-era rules, experts warn companies must still answer to shareholders and customers on environmental commitments.

The chemical industry has been yearning for the Trump administration’s hands-off approach to regulations ever since Jan. 20, 2021, the day President Joe Biden took office. For chemical manufacturers, the return of Donald J. Trump to the White House symbolizes a momentous shift toward less regulation and bureaucratic oversight.

In Case You Missed It brings the written word to life. In today’s episode, I will be reading a column from editor at large Seán Ottewell – “Chemistry History Lesson: From Anti-Plague Elixirs to a Precious Nose That Wasn’t.”

Danish scientist Tycho Brahe took many of his experiments to his grave. However, researchers from the University of Southern Denmark have found clues that shed light on his mysterious work.

Read the column, which was posted on our site Sept. 6, 2024.

Read by: Traci Purdum, editor-in-chief

Written by: Seán Ottewell

Unlikely allies in sustainability, a fatal chemical leak, an averted dock-worker strike, and BASF’s hall-of-famer round out the top stories on reader lists. Executive Editor Jonathan Katz reviews what topped the list for our readers this month.

When it comes to pumping systems, efficiency must be viewed in terms of measurable savings (kilowatts, horsepower) and taken as a whole-system approach. Organizational buy-in and leadership support are crucial. To help us understand how best to achieve efficiency, Chemical Processing chatted with Dr. Gary Dyson, managing director of global engineering at Hydro. Dyson is responsible for thousands of pump designs carried out on upgrades and new equipment.

What truly makes an expert? It's not just about knowing more facts. Discover the 13 key characteristics that set real experts apart, from forming expectancies to mental simulations. Learn how these traits apply across industries and how you can cultivate expertise in yourself and others. Whether you're an operator, manager, or lifelong learner, this discussion on the nature of expertise will change how you think about skill development and decision-making in complex environments.

Chemical Processing's Editor-in-Chief, Traci Purdum, recently sat in on a roundtable of fellow editors and manufacturing alliances to discuss how industry is facing a significant challenge in recruiting both skilled and unskilled workers. Listen in as her fellow business journalists reveal tactics big-name companies are using to attract younger workers to manufacturing careers.

Today’s episode highlights Chemical Processing’s other podcast series, Process Safety with Trish and Traci. We recently celebrated five years with that brand, and to commemorate that achievement, we hosted a fun show that featured a talented crime writer and well-respected chemical engineer, Fiona Erskine. I like to think about her book series as a glimpse into what James Bond/Nancy Drew would look like as a chemical engineer.

What were the hot topics in September 2024? Executive Editor Jon Katz runs through all the attention-getters.

Our monthly roundup of trending stories on ChemicalProcessing.com focuses on what your peers were reading. Executive Editor Jon Katz does his best Walter Cronkite impression as he bring the news to life. If you want to follow along, here are the stories he highlights.

In the second installment of our five-part series on the chemical industry workforce, "Chemical Industry Workforce: Shaping Tomorrow's Talent," Dennis Banks, vice president of Syncrude Maintenance at Suncor Energy Inc., offers his definition of DEI. 

“I grew up in a place where there were drive-by shootings — I have bullet holes in my childhood home,” says Dennis Banks, vice president of Syncrude maintenance at Suncor Energy Inc., who grew up in Detroit, went to college in Louisiana and now resides in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. “Some people freeze in the face of chaotic situations. I don't view [many] situations as perilous. So, I'm able to maintain calm and composure in the face of a lot of adversity and chaos because of what I went through growing up.”

Vacuum conveying systems automate the movement of dry materials, offering numerous benefits in industrial processes. They improve safety by controlling dust, reducing spills and handling combustible powders more securely than pressure-conveying systems. These systems enhance quality control through consistent ingredient ratios and efficient packaging, which is crucial for consumer brand management and avoiding costly recalls.

However, there are considerations to factor in when selecting a system. To discuss the challenges and benefits of vacuum-conveying, Chemical Processing sat down with David Kennedy, business development manager at VAC-U-MAX. The following is an edited version of that conversation.