Top Chemical Industry Posts You Missed in May

While the chemical manufacturers continued to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic in May, the US specialty chemicals market witnessed “record decline” and several major fires and explosions captured headlines. Also several large fines related to chemical facility safety issues were important stories last month. Powder & Bulk Solids editors selected these posts to provide our audience with an overview of some of the most interesting chemical industry-related developments that were reported in the last month.

OSHA Fines Chemical Firm $514K After Explosion and Fire
Chemical manufacturer TPC Group is facing fines of $514,692 after the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited the company for safety and health hazards following an explosion and fire in late 2019 at its Port Neches, TX plant.

6 Killed, 500 Hospitalized After Chemical Plant Explosion
Six people died and at least 500 were hospitalized after an explosion at a chemical plant in Visakhapatnam, the largest and most populous city of the Andhra Pradesh district of India.

ACC: “Record Decline” in US Specialty Chemical Markets
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) reported that US specialty chemicals market volumes fell 11.3% in April, accelerating from a 4.0% decline in March and a 0.5% decline in February. Of the 28 specialty chemicals segments ACC monitors, none expanded in April. 

1 Dead, 2 Hurt in Powder-Fueled Fire at Chemical Lab
One person was killed and two others received injuries during a fire at a LG Chem Ltd. catalyst research lab in Seosan, South Korea. Coverage by several local and international news organizations stated that a powder material was involved in the blaze.  

BASF Starts Operations at New Plant in South Carolina
The Care Chemicals division of industrial firm BASF recently commenced operations at its new production plant for Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Mass Balance-certified pearlizers, opacifiers, and specialty blends in Mauldin, SC.

Evonik and Beiersdorf to Produce Care Products from CO2
German specialty chemicals manufacturer Evonik and skincare products firm Beiersdorf AG are teaming up to create new care products raw materials made from carbon dioxide (CO2).

OSHA Fines Dow $54K After Explosion at Louisiana Plant
The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Dow Chemical for safety violations at the chemical manufacturer’s Plaquemine, LA facility on April 24. The company faces a fine of $53,976.

Clariant to Expand Production of Mild Surfactants
Specialty chemicals manufacturer Clariant is investing in several facilities in the US and Europe to expand production of the Hostapon SCI brand of isethionates derivatives, a mild surfactant used in personal care products and other applications.

ACC’s Chemical Activity Barometer Dipped by 5.4% in May
The Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB), a leading economic indicator created by the American Chemistry Council (ACC), fell 5.4% in May on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis following a 5.4% decline in April. On a year-over-year (Y/Y) basis, the barometer fell 12.4% in May.

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