In August 2025, Chemical Processing wrote about how the chemical industry faces multiple pressures as Trump's legislative agenda creates mixed reactions among trade groups. While companies welcome R&D tax breaks and battery incentives, they express concern over foreign entity rules and clean energy credit cuts that could impact investment strategies. Meanwhile, oversupply issues plague the sector with 5 million tons of new polyethylene capacity entering saturated markets. Regulatory changes add uncertainty, including EPA's research office reorganization that eliminates 1,000 jobs. Industry operators also confront technical challenges like bubble-cap tray performance issues and navigate evolving workplace safety requirements amid OSHA penalties and compliance obligations affecting operational costs and workforce protection.
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.
