Trade groups from multiple industries shared a letter on Tuesday expressing concern about the potential merger between Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific. It could drive up costs and negatively impact both the US economy and everyday lives of Americans, said American Chemistry Council President and CEO Chris Jahn. "We take American energy, turn it into a product, which is then used to make another product. So it goes through the entire manufactured supply chain."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., have quickly rejected a short-term government funding plan introduced by Republican leaders, increasing the risk of a government shutdown on Oct. 1. Schumer and Jeffries have criticized the plan as failing to meet the needs of Americans and have urged Republicans to engage in bipartisan negotiations.

The Environmental Protection Agency has asked a federal appeals court to eliminate parts of its 2024 rule limiting four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water. The agency says it plans to revisit the limits for perfluorobutanesulfonic acid, perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, perfluorononanoic acid and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid, and that a court ruling would be faster than an agency-led rollback.

The US has begun the formal review process for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, inviting public comments over the next 45 days. The review will culminate in reports to Congress evaluating the deal's effectiveness and outlining possible changes or the US position on extending the agreement. The process is expected to be contentious, given the current trade climate and the looming 2026 mandatory joint review deadline.

Higher and expanding tariffs on steel, aluminum and imported plastic machinery are creating challenges for the US plastics industry. The inclusion of more products under Section 232 tariffs and a lack of tariff exclusions are causing frustrations and uncertainty, impacting manufacturing costs and supply chains. As a result, the Plastics Industry Association projects a 1.1% drop in employment and a 0.5% decline in shipments in 2025.

The effectiveness of extended producer responsibility laws in driving recycled content usage remains uncertain, as industry stakeholders note that EPR primarily focuses on funding and improving collection systems. States such as Colorado have set ambitious recycled content targets through EPR, but verifying compliance, especially with chemically recycled plastics, poses challenges.

ExxonMobil says it's developed a form of graphite that can extend the life of electric vehicle batteries by up to 30%, CEO Darren Woods says. The synthetic graphite, which is being tested by automakers, allows faster charging and a longer range, Woods says. Exxon plans commercial production by 2029 after acquiring production assets from Superior Graphite.

Smart personal protective equipment is revolutionizing industrial safety by shifting from passive barriers to intelligent, proactive systems. By embedding sensors, connectivity and real-time monitoring into gear such as helmets, vests and gloves, smart PPE anticipates hazards, provides instant feedback and enables data-driven decision-making. This transformation allows companies to create safer and more efficient workplaces through continuous hazard detection and risk prediction.

To retain Generation Z employees, companies must offer flexible and financially accessible learning opportunities, writes Michelle Westfort, the chief product officer at InStride. "This generation expects their investment in education and skill development to translate into tangible opportunities, with employers who recognize these efforts as integral components of a defined career progression," Westfort notes.