Many sectors of manufacturing are reacting to the decline in oil prices. Chemical prices from oil-based feedstocks have consistently fallen, leading to lower material costs and higher profit margins in some sectors. Other industries, such as rubber manufacturing, whose materials serve the oil and gas field are feeling the effects of waning demand as oil... Read more »
On February 8th, 2016 the state of California’s Office of Administrative Law approved the amendment to adopt the proposed No Significant Risk Level (NSRL) of 146 micrograms per day for DINP. This regulation will go into effect on April 1, 2016. While Prop 65 does not prohibit the use of DINP in the state of... Read more »
With many reports indicating that the automotive and new car production will continue with a solid performance in 2016, the demand for metalworking fluids and lubricant demand should also continue to be strong this year as well. From the metal grinding fluids to the coolants used in the an actual vehicle production, MWF will play... Read more »
The North American PVC market had a rocky year in 2015. The construction market, PVC’s biggest domestic sector, did not rebound as expected which caused sales to be down 3 percent for the first 10 months of the year. Export sales saw fewer losses. The areas of PVC flooring, decking, and automotive each saw some... Read more »
Synthetic diamonds are typically created by subjecting graphite to immense pressure and high temperatures, which makes production in the industry low and costly. Things may be about to change due to new research performed at North Carolina State University. Researchers have found a new phase for carbon called “Q-carbon” which is produced at ambient temperatures... Read more »
EPS, or expanded polystyrene, is the plastic foam commonly found in food containers and has been a source of controversy due to the unrecyclable waste its use creates. Now researchers may have found an unlikely solution: Mealworms. The larvae of the darkling beetle will not only feed on EPS, but the microorganisms in their gut... Read more »
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a delay on a ban of the production and import of mid and long-chain chlorinated paraffins until mid-2017. Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) have long been used as additives in metalworking fluids, and groups such as the Chlorinated Paraffins Industry Association (CPIA) and the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA) have... Read more »
Since the 1990’s, many scientists have pointed out various chemicals might be disrupting the endocrine systems of people and animals. In 1996 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formed scientific advisory committee to investigate such claims, and by 1998 the committee developed an Endocrine Distruptor Screening Program (EDSP). The program uses a uses a two... Read more »
Back in June, Shell took further steps toward its investment in shale gas by purchasing a site near Pittsburgh for a plastics and petrochemicals plant. The preliminary plants indicated that the plant would have three polyethylene resin production lines as well as an ethylene manufacturing line, and seven ethane crackers. The site would be able... Read more »
Procter & Gamble Co. recently announced they would be adding a bittering agent to the outside layer of their single-use laundry packets. The move comes after reports of children who were attracted to the bright candy-like colors accidentally ingesting the packets, leading to poisoning. While the product has gained in popularity over the years... Read more »
