Take a virtual journey through chemical processing facilities that create some of the world’s most essential products.

John S. Forrester, former Managing Editor

February 2, 2021

3 Min Read
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A screenshot from a AFPM video tour of a petrochemical facility.Image courtesy of American Fuel and Petrochemicals Manufacturers (AFPM)

From massive complexes to small, focused operations, chemical plants are engineering marvels where some of the world’s most essential products are made. Each of these sites contains a range of technology and machines to create these goods reliably, safely and efficiently.

As the pandemic continues to upend professional life, Powder & Bulk Solids created this list to enable our audience to virtually “tour” some of the world’s most advanced chemical and petrochemical facilities.

Hexion Fayetteville Chemical Plant Tour Video
Christi Lowe Productions on YouTube

Erected in the 1950s, Hexion’s plant in Fayetteville, NC has manufacturing lines for liquid formaldehyde, resole PF resin, UF resins, wax emulsions and other products. Along with seeing various production areas at the site, viewers can also learn about some of the safety measures in place in the plant.

Petrochemical Virtual Reality Tour
American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) on YouTube

Trade group AFPM leads us through a virtual tour of an INEOS petrochemical facility in the United States. Those working in the powder and bulk solids industry should pay attention to the scenes showing how the plant processes fine plastic powders into pellets. 

Eastman Chemical Company Manufacturing Plant Tour
FloridaMakes Webinars on YouTube

See the inside of Eastman Chemical’s amines production plant in Pace, FL in this informative video. Hear how staff members spend their time at the site and see footage of various operations areas in the facility.

BASF 360° Workplace Experience: Our Production Plants
BASF on YouTube

The German chemical firm uses advanced video technology to offer a 360° perspective of one of its manufacturing sites. As you watch the segment, use the icon on the top left to rotate the camera’s perspective around the production areas, control room, and other sites showcased in the tour.

Evonik Plant Tour
WLFITV on YouTube

Television news station WLFI drives around Evonik’s production plant in Mobile, AL as a narrator explains the functions of the various buildings at the site. This 2009 tour video shows where hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen cyanide, methionine, TBHP, and other products are made at the facility.

A Tour Through Beaver County’s Massive Shell Chemical Plant
WKBN27 on YouTube

Shell Chemical’s petrochemicals complex in Beaver County, PA produces 1.6 million tn/yr of polyethylene. The site houses an ethylene cracker and a polyethylene derivatives unit. This 2019 segment by news broadcaster WKBN captures the tremendous scale of this facility.

Dow Chemical – Midland, MI (1952)
Excidedous on YouTube

Jazzy background music greets us as we step back in time in this retro promotional film of Dow Chemical’s Midland, MI complex. Modern advancements like automation are nowhere to be seen in this 1952 release, but viewers can see the range of machinery in use at the time.

To view more chemical industry articles, click here.

About the Author(s)

John S. Forrester

former Managing Editor, Powder & Bulk Solids

John S. Forrester is the former managing editor of Powder & Bulk Solids.

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