Current environmental and technological challenges face the chemical industry amid regulatory shifts. The Trump administration initiated significant deregulation of energy and chemical sectors, raising concerns about environmental impact as highlighted in "Lax Regulations Burn Rivers." Meanwhile, innovation continues with researchers developing coffee grounds as compostable plastic alternatives. The industry struggles with AI implementation due to aging infrastructure despite automation providers' new capabilities. Safety remains paramount, with the Chemical Safety Board completing record investigations despite budget constraints. Other developments include efficiency gains through ohmic heating technology and ongoing debates about batch versus continuous processing methods.
