At the top of the reading list were key regulatory, technological and safety developments. The American Chemistry Council CEO advocated for TSCA reforms, including regulatory timelines, as EPA shifts scientific resources. Digital transformation is crucial for energy efficiency in chemical processes, requiring incremental implementation and workforce training. Safety remains paramount with discussions on mechanical integrity programs to prevent catastrophic failures, lithium-ion battery recycling safety protocols and static electricity management in glass-lined reactors. The EPA addresses PFAS regulations with targeted approaches, contrasting broader state measures. Innovation spans from chocolate processing science, transforming cocoa into functional foods, to AI optimizing chemical operations for sustainability goals. Solids processing emphasizes understanding particle properties for system design success.
Traci Purdum, an award-winning business journalist with extensive experience covering manufacturing and management issues, is a graduate of the Kent State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Kent, Ohio, and an alumnus of the Wharton Seminar for Business Journalists, Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
