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Everchem Updates
VOLUME XXI
September 14, 2023
Everchem’s exclusive Closers Only Club is reserved for only the highest caliber brass-baller salesmen in the chemical industry. Watch the hype video and be introduced to the top of the league: — read more
December 29, 2021
First-Ever Fully-Autonomous Semi-Truck With No-Human On Board Traverses Arizona Highway
by Tyler DurdenWednesday, Dec 29, 2021 – 03:05 PM
Hardly a day goes by without some truck drivers thinking their days are numbered as AI, machine learning, and robotics could soon take their jobs.
In an industry that moves over 70% of U.S. freight by weight and labor and fuel costs are becoming more expensive, transportation companies are itching to swap human drivers for robot ones.
The latest example that automated semi-trucks could be available for commercial use in the next few years was the recent test by San Diego-based TuSimple.
According to a TuSimple press release, the company tested a class 8 vehicle (otherwise known as a trailer tractor) on a public road without human intervention. The nighttime test was conducted on Dec. 22 on an 80 mile stretch of highway between Tucson, Arizona, and Phoenix.
TuSimple “successfully completed the world’s first fully autonomous semi-truck run on open public roads without a human in the vehicle and without human intervention,” the press release said.
The one-hour and 20-minute drive is the first time a class 8 autonomous truck has operated on open public roads without a human in the vehicle and without human intervention and is part of an ongoing test program that will continue into 2022.
The test was performed in close collaboration with the Arizona Department of Transportation and law enforcement. The autonomous driving test was 100% operated by TuSimple’s ADS without a human on-board, without remote human control of the vehicle, and without traffic intervention. – TuSimple
TuSimple’s Autonomous Driving System can navigate streets, read traffic signals, maneuver on and off highways, and even change lanes while interacting with other vehicles.
Over the years, we’ve shown readers there is no shortage of reports (read: here & here) suggesting that robots can potentially displace jobs. The signs we see today, focusing on transportation, are that automated trucks could be maneuvering roads and highways by the end of the decade, perhaps as early as 2027. With that being said, all those newly minted drivers who are taking advantage of snarled supply chains might want to come up with a backup plan once automation begins to displace drivers.
December 29, 2021
First-Ever Fully-Autonomous Semi-Truck With No-Human On Board Traverses Arizona Highway
by Tyler DurdenWednesday, Dec 29, 2021 – 03:05 PM
Hardly a day goes by without some truck drivers thinking their days are numbered as AI, machine learning, and robotics could soon take their jobs.
In an industry that moves over 70% of U.S. freight by weight and labor and fuel costs are becoming more expensive, transportation companies are itching to swap human drivers for robot ones.
The latest example that automated semi-trucks could be available for commercial use in the next few years was the recent test by San Diego-based TuSimple.
According to a TuSimple press release, the company tested a class 8 vehicle (otherwise known as a trailer tractor) on a public road without human intervention. The nighttime test was conducted on Dec. 22 on an 80 mile stretch of highway between Tucson, Arizona, and Phoenix.
TuSimple “successfully completed the world’s first fully autonomous semi-truck run on open public roads without a human in the vehicle and without human intervention,” the press release said.
The one-hour and 20-minute drive is the first time a class 8 autonomous truck has operated on open public roads without a human in the vehicle and without human intervention and is part of an ongoing test program that will continue into 2022.
The test was performed in close collaboration with the Arizona Department of Transportation and law enforcement. The autonomous driving test was 100% operated by TuSimple’s ADS without a human on-board, without remote human control of the vehicle, and without traffic intervention. – TuSimple
TuSimple’s Autonomous Driving System can navigate streets, read traffic signals, maneuver on and off highways, and even change lanes while interacting with other vehicles.
Over the years, we’ve shown readers there is no shortage of reports (read: here & here) suggesting that robots can potentially displace jobs. The signs we see today, focusing on transportation, are that automated trucks could be maneuvering roads and highways by the end of the decade, perhaps as early as 2027. With that being said, all those newly minted drivers who are taking advantage of snarled supply chains might want to come up with a backup plan once automation begins to displace drivers.
December 22, 2021
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Lingering Impacts from Hurricane Ida Weighed on U.S. Chemical Production in October
CONTACT US
Jennifer Scott
WASHINGTON (December 1, 2021) – The U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) eased by 0.3% in October following a 1.6% decline in September and a 0.4% decline in August, according to the American Chemistry Council (ACC). Chemical output declined in all regions except the Northeast. With lingering hurricane and other supply chain disruptions, the largest decline was in the Gulf Coast region. The U.S. CPRI is measured as a three-month moving average (3MMA).
Chemical production was mixed in October (3MMA), with an improving trend in the production of synthetic rubber, manufactured fibers, other specialty chemicals, fertilizers, adhesives, coatings, and consumer products. These gains were offset by weakness in organic chemicals, plastic resins, basic inorganic chemicals, industrial gases, and crop protection chemicals.
US Chemical Regional Production Index
As nearly all manufactured goods are produced using chemistry in some form, manufacturing activity is an important indicator for chemical demand. Manufacturing output edged higher for a sixth consecutive month in October, by 0.1% (3MMA). The 3MMA trend in manufacturing production was mixed, with gains in the output of food and beverages, aerospace, construction supplies, fabricated metal products, machinery, computers, semiconductors, refining, iron and steel products, plastic products, rubber products, tires, paper, printing, apparel, and furniture.
Compared with October 2020, U.S. chemical production was ahead by 2.2%, a weaker comparison than last month, due to lingering impacts from Hurricane Ida. Chemical production continued to be higher than a year ago in all regions, however.
US Chemical Regional Production Index, Percentage Change – December 1, 2021
The chemistry industry is one of the largest industries in the United States, a $486 billion enterprise. The manufacturing sector is the largest consumer of chemical products, and 96% of manufactured goods are touched by chemistry. The U.S. CPRI was developed to track chemical production activity in seven regions of the United States. The U.S. CPRI is based on information from the Federal Reserve, and as such, includes monthly revisions as published by the Federal Reserve. The U.S. CPRI includes the most recent Federal Reserve benchmark revision released on May 28, 2021. To smooth month-to-month fluctuations, the U.S. CPRI is measured using a three-month moving average. Thus, the reading in October reflects production activity during August, September, and October.
Learn more at: https://www.americanchemistry.com/chemistry-in-america/news-trends/press-release/2021/lingering-impacts-from-hurricane-ida-weighed-on-us-chemical-production-in-october
December 22, 2021
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Lingering Impacts from Hurricane Ida Weighed on U.S. Chemical Production in October
CONTACT US
Jennifer Scott
WASHINGTON (December 1, 2021) – The U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) eased by 0.3% in October following a 1.6% decline in September and a 0.4% decline in August, according to the American Chemistry Council (ACC). Chemical output declined in all regions except the Northeast. With lingering hurricane and other supply chain disruptions, the largest decline was in the Gulf Coast region. The U.S. CPRI is measured as a three-month moving average (3MMA).
Chemical production was mixed in October (3MMA), with an improving trend in the production of synthetic rubber, manufactured fibers, other specialty chemicals, fertilizers, adhesives, coatings, and consumer products. These gains were offset by weakness in organic chemicals, plastic resins, basic inorganic chemicals, industrial gases, and crop protection chemicals.
US Chemical Regional Production Index
As nearly all manufactured goods are produced using chemistry in some form, manufacturing activity is an important indicator for chemical demand. Manufacturing output edged higher for a sixth consecutive month in October, by 0.1% (3MMA). The 3MMA trend in manufacturing production was mixed, with gains in the output of food and beverages, aerospace, construction supplies, fabricated metal products, machinery, computers, semiconductors, refining, iron and steel products, plastic products, rubber products, tires, paper, printing, apparel, and furniture.
Compared with October 2020, U.S. chemical production was ahead by 2.2%, a weaker comparison than last month, due to lingering impacts from Hurricane Ida. Chemical production continued to be higher than a year ago in all regions, however.
US Chemical Regional Production Index, Percentage Change – December 1, 2021
The chemistry industry is one of the largest industries in the United States, a $486 billion enterprise. The manufacturing sector is the largest consumer of chemical products, and 96% of manufactured goods are touched by chemistry. The U.S. CPRI was developed to track chemical production activity in seven regions of the United States. The U.S. CPRI is based on information from the Federal Reserve, and as such, includes monthly revisions as published by the Federal Reserve. The U.S. CPRI includes the most recent Federal Reserve benchmark revision released on May 28, 2021. To smooth month-to-month fluctuations, the U.S. CPRI is measured using a three-month moving average. Thus, the reading in October reflects production activity during August, September, and October.
Learn more at: https://www.americanchemistry.com/chemistry-in-america/news-trends/press-release/2021/lingering-impacts-from-hurricane-ida-weighed-on-us-chemical-production-in-october
December 21, 2021
BASF reaches next milestone on MDI capacity expansion project at Geismar site
- The second expansion phase is now complete and in operation, increasing MDI capacity by approximately one third.
- The final phase is designed to bring total capacity to approximately 600,000 metric tons per year, with start-up targeted by the middle of the decade.
WYANDOTTE, MI / GEISMAR, LA, December 14, 2021 – The implementation of the methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) capacity increase program for BASF’s Verbund site in Geismar, Louisiana, is progressing on schedule. Over time, BASF plans to double the capacity from 300,000 metric tons per year to approximately 600,000 metric tons per year.
“This investment in the attractive North American MDI market strengthens our position as a leading MDI supplier in North America as well as globally,” said Dr. Ramkumar Dhruva, President of Monomers Division.
“The Geismar site is ideally suited for this investment thanks to its existing infrastructure, competitive raw materials and ongoing strong business support from state and local government,” said Stefan Doerr, Senior Vice President, Monomers North America. “With this integrated facility, BASF will continue to support the growth of our North American MDI customers.”
The first phase involving the construction of a new MDI synthesis unit has been in operation since October of last year. The second phase, which started up recently, expanded several existing upstream units and increased the overall MDI output of the Geismar complex by approximately one third. Engineering for the final phase of the MDI expansion is progressing on schedule. This final phase of the expansion project, which includes several new upstream units, is targeted to be complete by the middle of the decade, with resulting total MDI capacity of approximately 600,000 metric tons per year.
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