ACC Association News
ACC Weekly Economic Report
ACC SmartBrief | May 29, 2012
Both home-sales reports (new and existing) improved, providing further evidence that the housing recovery is gathering strength. As the housing markets finds its way, the next move among U.S. households will be a return to modest net borrowing as deleveraging has pretty much run its course.
Turning to chemistry, U.S. production slipped in April, following a decline in March. Chemical production fell across all regions in April. Data on downstream activity indicate that customers were drawing down thermoplastic resin inventories during the month. The soda-ash report was positive while the railcar-loadings data thus far in May point to moderating activity. Global chemical production continued to rise in April, marking the fifth consecutive monthly gain. There was regional weakness in Europe but production has held up fairly well in Asia and to a lesser extent in the Americas.
Learn more by subscribing to ACC's Weekly Economic Report.
American Chemistry Council Releases April 2012 U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index
ACC SmartBrief | May 25, 2012
According to the American Chemistry Council, the U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index slipped by 0.3% in April, following a downwardly revised 0.4% decline in March. Chemical production fell across all regions. The chemistry industry is one of the largest industries in the U.S. -- a $720 billion enterprise. The manufacturing sector is the largest consumer of chemical products, and 96% of manufactured goods are touched by chemistry. Using a three-month moving average of the Federal Reserve data comparable to the U.S. CPRI, output of the nation's overall manufacturing sector rose by 0.3% in April, following a 0.5% gain in March. Within the manufacturing sector, output in several key chemistry end-use markets increased, including motor vehicles, aerospace, construction supplies, machinery, computers, plastic and rubber products, paper, textile mill products, and furniture. View the full CPRI index update, including regional breakdowns.
New Guidance for Schools Installing Spray Foam Now Available from CPI
ACC SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
Just in time for summer break, the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry of the American Chemistry Council has released a helpful new guidance document for school administrators and facilities managers about installing spray polyurethane foam in schools. The document, "Guidance for Selecting a Contractor for the Installation of SPF in School Buildings," is available free at CPI's online-resource library. "Spray foam offers many excellent benefits to school facilities. It can help save on energy bills and create a comfortable indoor environment for education," said Lee Salamone, senior director of CPI. "School administrators and facility managers can benefit from learning more about spray foam's benefits, and our new guidance document can help them with a successful spray foam installation." Read more from ACC on CPI's new guidance document.
Online Car-Racing Game Highlights Role of Plastics in Auto Fuel Efficiency, Safety and Design
ACC SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
Plastics Make it Possible has launched Plastics Speedway, a challenging online car-racing game that highlights many of the ways plastics contribute to automobile fuel efficiency, safety and design. Plastics Speedway drivers can choose from seven decades of virtual vehicles to experience the differences in gas mileage, handling, speed and more. As drivers maneuver around curves and obstacles at high speeds, they will experience firsthand how plastics have contributed to vehicle performance. Plastics Speedway players can enter multiple times for a chance to win a $1,000 gift card.
"If you like cars, Plastics Speedway is a fun way to experience the transformations in car design since the 1950s and to get a better understanding of the growing role of plastics," said Steve Russell, vice president of plastics for the American Chemistry Council. Plastics Make it Possible is an initiative sponsored by America's plastics-makers through the American Chemistry Council. Read more from ACC on the new online car racing game.
ChemSecure: Time is running out
ACC SmartBrief | May 21, 2012
Don't delay. Time is running out to reserve your spot at one of the industry's premier events focused on the security arena. ACC's ChemSecure Conference & Expo takes place June 11 to 13 in Houston. The 2012 ChemSecure Conference & Expo brings together government representatives from Congress, DHS and the FBI along with industry experts, stakeholders, and vendors to discuss the important security issues facing the business of chemistry. From compliance issues to physical security to the cybersecurity front, ChemSecure is sure to touch on topics security professionals find valuable. Register now or view the complete agenda.
Register now for the 2012 ChemSecure Conference and Expo
ACC SmartBrief | May 18, 2012
The ChemSecure Conference is designed to support the chemical industry's efforts to comply with the various DHS regulatory framework requirements and implement them into their existing management systems programs. Through general sessions and intense breakouts, attendees are better equipped to understand these requirements. ChemSecure 2012 continues this theme and remains one of the industry's premier events focused on the chemical-security arena as a whole. Some of the issues that are to be discussed include:
- CFATS Inspection Lessons
- DHS Voluntary Initiatives
- Cyber Security Threats and Risk Assessments
- Global Supply Chain Security
- National Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Initiative
Covanta introduces new technology to convert waste into energy
ACC SmartBrief | May 15, 2012
Covanta Energy Corp. recently announced that it has completed commercial demonstration testing on a new type of technology that uses gasification to recover energy from waste. According to Covanta, the technology has the ability to gasify unprocessed municipal solid waste in a commercial setting, while reducing emissions and generating alternative energy. This would be a significant innovation. Covanta says its new 300-ton-per-day modular system can be put in place in communities across the country to help reduce landfill volume and convert waste into energy. Learn more from ACC about how we can power 50 million to 100 million-plus homes.
Energy efficiency can boost economic activity and create jobs, study shows
ACC SmartBrief | May 14, 2012
"Energy-efficient manufacturing could spur $2 billion in annual economic activity, support 9,000 jobs and produce more than $71 million in local and state tax revenues," The Detroit News reported last week, citing a study commissioned by the Michigan-based Energy Innovation Business Council.
The EIBC study examined energy efficiency across building equipment, ventilation, air conditioning, heating and advanced lighting, and across four sub-sectors -- wind, solar, biomass and advanced energy storage. All generated by the products of chemistry. Learn more.
Report Quantifies Energy and Emissions for Injection Molded and Thermoformed Plastics
ACC SmartBrief | May 10, 2012
A new report quantifies the energy and emissions for converting plastic resins into finished products, based on operating data collected from a variety of manufacturers. Developed for processors, brand owners, retailers and organizations seeking to evaluate the environmental attributes of various types of packaging, the report makes available for the first time "gate-to-gate" U.S. life cycle inventory data to support consistent, transparent modeling and the fabrication of rigid plastic products, such as yogurt tubs and butter bins. Sponsored by the American Chemistry Council's Rigid Plastic Packaging Group, the report, "Life Cycle Inventory of Plastic Fabrication Processes: Injection Molding and Thermoforming," provides data on two distinct methods:
- Injection molding of resin
- Conversion of resin into sheet with subsequent thermoforming of the sheet to form a rigid container
ACC to GSA: Proposed LEED "Credits" Will Discourage Energy-Efficient Products and Jeopardize Jobs
ACC SmartBrief | May 10, 2012
Appealing to the General Services Administration to immediately reconsider their recommendation of green-building rating systems, the American Chemistry Council has voiced strong concerns about product and materials restrictions in the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED 2012 proposal.
"Because of the essential role chemistry plays in advancing energy efficiency and sustainability in the building and construction sector, ACC is greatly concerned that the proposed LEED 2012 rating system will arbitrarily limit important products such as high-tech plastic insulations, reflective roofing membranes and solar panels, and as a result, hurt American manufacturing jobs and drive up taxpayer's costs," said Cal Dooley, ACC President and CEO.
Read more on ACC's position.
American Chemistry Council CEO Cal Dooley to deliver keynote address at 2012 Polyurethanes Technical Conference
ACC SmartBrief | May 09, 2012
As the chemical industry celebrates 75 years of polyurethane, speakers at the 2012 Polyurethanes Technical Conference will both honor its history and discuss the latest developments that will impact the global outlook for years to come. Hosted by the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry of the American Chemistry Council, this year's conference will take place Sept. 24 to 26 at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center in Atlanta. ACC President and CEO Calvin M. Dooley will deliver the keynote address at this year's opening session. Dooley will discuss the latest news and trends in today's chemical industry, including ACC's advocacy work on chemical regulation reform and energy policy. "We are honored to have Cal Dooley speak at this year's conference and offer his insight into the latest chemical industry trends," said Lee Salamone, senior director of CPI. Learn more about the 2012 Polyurethanes Technical Conference.
Dewhurst Joins Chemical Manufacturers to Tout Economic Benefits of Shale Gas
ACC SmartBrief | May 01, 2012
The American Chemistry Council, Texas Chemical Council, East Harris County Manufacturers Association, and the Greater Houston Partnership today hosted an expert panel of political and business leaders for a roundtable policy discussion on how abundant and affordable supplies of natural gas from shale will create jobs, boost exports and increase investment in Texas.
Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst joined ACC President and CEO Cal Dooley, TCC President and CEO Hector Rivero, and Texas business executives at the event held at the University of Houston Hilton Hotel to discuss the importance of shale gas to our nation's energy future and the growth of the Texas chemical and manufacturing industries.
"Shale gas is a game changer for the chemistry industry. Abundant and affordable supplies of natural gas are driving the chemistry industry's growth and dramatically improving our competitiveness globally," Dooley said. "We now have a huge price advantage over our foreign competitors. That's good news not just for the chemistry industry. Our competitive edge is revitalizing American manufacturing."
ACC Announces 2012 Responsible Care Energy Efficiency Award Winners
ACC SmartBrief | May 01, 2012
At the 21st Annual Responsible Care Conference and Expo this week, the American Chemistry Council honored 19 of its member companies for implementing energy-efficiency improvements in 2011. ACC presented a total of 67 awards to these companies, 16 of which were deemed programs of "Exceptional Merit."
The Responsible Care Energy Efficiency Awards program is among ACC's many ongoing initiatives to improve energy efficiency. In 2011, the total annual energy savings achieved by the winning projects was 16.9 trillion BTUs -- enough to power all the homes in a city the size of Norfolk, Va., for one year.
Learn more about the awards and this year's winners.
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