The Treasury Department is racing to finalize guidance for clean energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Experts warn that the new administration could delay or overturn late-issued guidelines, such as those for tech-neutral production and hydrogen tax credits. The Congressional Review Act may also be used to repeal recent policies, adding uncertainty for developers seeking to finance new projects.
The Vinyl Institute has formed the Chlor-Vinyl Alliance to address regulatory challenges, particularly the Environmental Protection Agency's risk review of vinyl chloride monomer. "If you want to make sure EPA is making the best decisions based on the best available science and information, you need to play an active role as early as possible," said Chair David Fischer, a former EPA official.
The Biden administration has introduced export controls on AI chips to limit access for China and other nations, citing national security concerns. The policy, which creates a three-tier licensing system, has faced criticism from the US semiconductor industry and the EU, with the Semiconductor Industry Association warning of potential economic damage.
Eastman is collaborating with Covestro and Ceres Holographics to develop a next-generation heads-up display that can accommodate multiple HUDs on one windshield. "With the building blocks and relationships in place, we're excited to define a path to viable holographic transparent displays globally," said Hemant Dandekar, Eastman's global commercial director of automotive for advanced materials, interlayers.
The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance has introduced the Plastic Film Recycling Directory to help consumers find recycling locations and to raise recycling rates for flexible plastic film. "Within two years of the directory's launch, FFRA will publicly share verified data on its impact and progress towards increasing recycling rates," said the organization.
Virginia Tech chemist Guoliang "Greg" Liu has developed a method to recycle polyethylene and polypropylene plastics into an oil that can be used as a soap ingredient. This process involves breaking down plastic molecules using heat and is similar to advanced recycling but produces less environmental pollution. Liu's team is looking to work with investors and companies in the detergent industry to explore the practicalities and profitability of this innovation.
Flooding events accounted for 70% of weather-related supply chain disruptions in 2024, according to a report from Everstream Analytics that predicted flooding will be the top issue in 2025 due to elevated ocean temperatures. The report notes that other causes of disruption include cyberattacks, geopolitical instability and restrictions on trade of rare minerals and metals.
Poor communication with your team can affect employee trust, retention and engagement, writes clinical psychologist and author Monica Vermani, who offers seven steps to better communication, including the need for leaders to engage in two-way communication, adapt their style and invest in training. "When leaders share organizational goals and values, talk about opportunities on the horizon and share information about navigating organizational changes and challenges, they create a culture where employees feel valued and included," Vermani writes.
