In September 2025, readers learned how digital tools and machine learning cut product development cycles from years to months at Syensqo, Dow and 3M. Coverage also pointed out that the chemical industry faces mounting challenges, including cybersecurity threats to plant safety systems, federal R&D budget cuts threatening innovation capabilities and a looming workforce retirement crisis. While AI offers potential solutions for hiring and operations, engineers emphasize that successful troubleshooting still requires clear objectives and systematic problem-solving approaches to maintain equipment reliability and process safety.
About the Author
Traci Purdum
Editor-in-Chief
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.
Recent Awards:
2025 Eddie Award for her column "Lax Regulations Burn Rivers"
2024 Jesse H. Neal Award for best podcast Process Safety with Trish & Traci