As much as we might wish otherwise, the 2025 hurricane season has arrived—and experts are forecasting one of the most active in recent years. According to Colorado State University’s latest projections, both the Atlantic and Pacific basins face an “above normal” season. And it’s not just coastal areas that should be on alert. Past... Read more »
Process oils are refined from crude petroleum through a series of steps that remove impurities and isolate desired hydrocarbon structures. The refining method determines the oil’s composition (aromatic, naphthenic, or paraffinic), and directly impacts its performance in rubber, plastic, and other formulations. Process oils are used in a variety of industrial applications primarily as processing... Read more »
A head-spinning sequence of trade announcements this past week has left manufacturers and chemical suppliers scrambling to keep up. The U.S. has struck sweeping new trade agreements with the European Union, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan—while simultaneously announcing a 25 % tariff on Indian imports. The flurry of moves in just two weeks has redefined market... Read more »
President Donald Trump made headlines on July 12, 2025, by announcing sweeping 30% tariffs on imports from the European Union and Mexico, set to take effect on August 1. Positioned as a measure to protect national security and rebalance trade relationships, the announcement has already sparked diplomatic backlash and market volatility. The tariffs cover a... Read more »
The word phthalate is often viewed by the public pretty negatively, and the average person often points to the reason for this as health concerns and environmental issues. You might even find yourself reaching for a bottle on the shelf labeled “phthalate-free” even if it is an item that would have never contained a... Read more »
A new federal enforcement rule taking effect on June 25, 2025, is raising concerns not just among truck drivers and fleet operators—but across the broader supply chain. Under updated guidance from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), commercial drivers who cannot demonstrate English proficiency during roadside inspections can now be placed out of service... Read more »
Summer is heating up, and that means so are the roads. Unpaved roads often become problematic during the dry summer months due to dust, which reduces visibility, air quality, and can also degrade the road surface. Municipalities often apply dust control methods to extend the life of the road. Calcium chloride is a non-toxic... Read more »
The Trump administration has launched the most aggressive deregulatory campaign in the history of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), significantly reshaping how chemical regulations are enforced. This sweeping rollback of environmental oversight directly affects manufacturers that rely on chemical processes, easing compliance burdens but raising concerns about public and environmental safety. Recent changes underscore... Read more »
In early 2025, the Trump administration introduced a sweeping series of tariffs policies that marked a sharp shift in U.S. trade strategy. Branded as measures to protect American jobs and industries, these tariffs were part of a broader “America First” economic agenda aimed at reshaping global trade relations. These tariffs are already impacting the... Read more »
The United States is preparing to impose substantial fees on ships associated with China, aiming to revitalize its struggling domestic shipbuilding industry and counter China’s growing dominance in global maritime trade. A draft executive order proposes levying fees on vessels docking at U.S. ports if they are part of a fleet that includes Chinese-built... Read more »
