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March 16, 2012

News for American Chemistry

Top Story

Shell will study Pa. for potential ethane cracker
Royal Dutch Shell has chosen Pennsylvania over other Marcellus Shale states as the potential location for what could be a multibillion-dollar ethane cracker. While site reviews are needed before an investment decision is made, "this is our preferred site, and we fully expect to proceed with it," said Dan Carlson of Shell Chemicals. "We are very encouraged by today's news, which is yet another sign that a renaissance is under way in American chemistry," said American Chemistry Council President and CEO Cal Dooley. The Wall Street Journal (3/15), Chemical Week (3/15), Google/The Associated Press (3/15), Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (3/15)

W.Va. manufacturers express hope for another ethane cracker: The West Virginia Manufacturing Association expressed disappointment over Shell's decision to choose Pennsylvania as the possible location for an ethane cracker. "However, we applaud Pennsylvania's success and we look at Shell's announcement as a victory for the entire Appalachian Basin, especially Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia," said WVMA Chairman Joe Eddy. "Even after pipeline commitments, this leaves ample supply for additional cracker expansion as West Virginia continues to develop its Marcellus and Utica natural gas resources," Eddy added. The State Journal (Charleston, W.Va.) (3/15), The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register (Wheeling, W.Va.) (3/16)

Policy Watch

Shale-gas developments help drive growth in U.S. economy
The U.S. economy is recovering partly because of increasing domestic oil and natural gas production, according to analyses. Shale-gas developments could create about 17,000 direct petrochemical industry jobs, according to the American Chemistry Council. Separately, ACC says that an ethane cracker in Pennsylvania could mean 10,000 permanent chemical-industry positions in the state. The Economist (3/17), Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (3/16)

EPA clears fracking in Pa. town's water findings
The Environmental Protection Agency didn't find elevated levels of contamination in samples taken at a number of water wells in Dimock, Pa. Several residents there claim Cabot Oil & Gas polluted their wells with drilling chemicals and methane gas. Safe levels of sodium, chromium and methane were detected in water samples from six of 11 homes tested, regulators said. The Washington Post/The Associated Press (3/15)

Research & Innovation

Startup touts low-cost solar panel materials
Solar startup Ampulse has developed a method to significantly reduce the cost of crystalline-silicon solar panels by combining highly efficient crystalline silicon with thin-film fabrication. The startup uses a vapor deposition method to quickly deposit and infuse silicon films into the material. MIT Technology Review online (3/15)

Energy-storage process uses graphene-to-disc technique
Researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles have produced a material that allows graphite oxide to be turned into graphene using a process similar to that of burning a DVD. "We believe that our devices will pave the way to further applications -- for example, flexible power supplies for roll-up computer displays, wearable electronics, and energy-storage systems to be combined with flexible photovoltaic cells," said Maher El-Kady, one of the researchers. Royal Society of Chemistry (3/15)

Leadership & Management

U.S. manufacturers say "hola" to Mexico
American manufacturers are increasingly looking to "nearshore" their operations to Mexico, rather than to farther-flung Asian manufacturing hubs. Reduced shipping times make sense for companies seeking lean, responsive supply chains, and the region's proximity makes it easier for firms to keep an eye on production. IndustryWeek (3/14)

Leadership talent is in short supply, executives say
Nearly a third of executives are worried about finding enough leaders to meet their organizations' future needs, according to a survey by Right Management. "Lean times make it hard for organizations seeking to recruit, retain or develop future leaders," says Michael Haid of Right Management. Other top staffing concerns include weak employee engagement and a shortage of talented workers. IndustryWeek (3/14)