Major chemical industry trade groups including the American Chemistry Council have expressed firm opposition to the proposed Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger. The organizations warn that the merger would reduce competition in the rail sector, leading to higher transportation costs for chemical shippers. Their opposition adds to a growing chorus of concern from legislators and agriculture leaders who argue that increased consolidation could negatively impact service and pricing for critical industries.

The EPA's draft risk calculation for formaldehyde marks a potential shift in regulatory priorities, focusing on acute sensory irritation rather than chronic exposure. This could reduce the regulatory burden on manufacturers, although state-level regulations might increase to fill perceived gaps.

The House has passed Republican-led legislation that would expand mining on federal land to counter China's dominance of critical minerals. The bill, which codifies parts of executive actions by President Donald Trump, now goes to the Senate.

The Senate voted to condemn President Donald Trump's global tariff strategy, with four Republicans joining Democrats in the latest bipartisan rebuke of the administration's trade agenda. The decision comes as the White House prepares a $12 billion aid package for farmers affected by tariffs, while bipartisan talks continue on ending the monthlong government shutdown.

Polyethylene resin prices in North America have increased since the start of 2026, driven by stronger demand and production disruptions. This is the first market increase since mid-2025.

Agilyx has agreed with ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell to split ownership of two planned circularity centers in Texas. Agilyx will fully own the Dallas-Fort Worth center, while ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell will jointly own the Houston center. The move is part of Agilyx's restructuring to focus on European investments, including its recent acquisition of a 44% stake in GreenDot.

Linde is confident its regional model will mitigate supply chain challenges this year, but restructuring has led to job cuts, particularly in engineering. During a recent earnings call, CFO Matthew White highlighted the company's ability to quickly adapt in self-sufficient markets. CEO Sanjiv Lamba noted uneven growth and emphasized the resilience of the US market, driven by the electronics and space sectors.

Electric vehicle demand in the US has eroded following the elimination of government tax credits and other factors, leaving automakers with excess battery-making capacity. Some are now turning their attention to building larger batteries to help power the grid, though they face headwinds, including Korea's foothold in the industry and the Trump administration's hesitation to support collaboration with China. Tesla, Ford and other US-based companies considering domestic battery production will be best positioned if they receive tax breaks and tariffs are placed on Chinese imports.

Researchers at the University of Virginia have developed HydroSpread, a fabrication method that uses a liquid polymer on a liquid substrate to create ultra-thin, uniform films for soft robotics. The method has been demonstrated with HydroFlexor and HydroBuckler, soft robots that navigate water to collect data.

If your words and actions as a leader are not aligned, it can erode your credibility and your team's trust, writes Paul Thornton, who highlights common misalignments, such as believing you are a good communicator or open to feedback, while your actions suggest otherwise. "Honestly evaluate where your actions fall short of your intentions. Ask trusted colleagues, mentors, coaches and family members for honest feedback," Thornton recommends.