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AFPM responds to release of new Biden-⁠Harris administration strategy aimed at tackling plastic pollution

July 22, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rob Benedict, AFPM Vice President of Petrochemicals and Midstream, issued the following statement in response to the new government-wide strategy to combat plastic pollution. Paying particular attention to the elimination of single-use plastic, the strategy announces the Biden-Harris administration’s goal to phase out federal procurement of single-use plastics.

AFPM: U.S. government flip-flop in support of plastic production caps threatens years of UN negotiating work

August 15, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. — American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) President and CEO Chet Thompson issued the following statement today in response to reports indicating that the United States is shifting its position on the United Nations’ global agreement to end plastic pollution and will now support calls for plastic production caps and the establishment of a global list of banned chemicals. AFPM has been a participant in the United Nations’ (UN) Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) process for the past two years:

Coloring Inside the Lines: Managing Complex Processes Within Limits

Abnormal Situation Management

Facilitator:
Alyssa Parks, PEMEX Deer Park

Panel:
John Durnin, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Steve Gill, HF Sinclair
Yangdong Pan, Delek US
Patrick Robinson, PBF Energy Inc.

Operation of a complex refinery process involves keeping the process within varous types of limits. These include safe operating limits, integrity operating windows, machine protection or other reliability limits, and product quality limits. This diverse background panel session from process controls and process safety management explores how to effectively identify these parameters and keep the limits in front of operators using instrumented shutdowns, alarm systems, and other monitoring and alerting software.

Speakers

Session Start End

Wed, 10/16/2024 - 11:00 - Wed, 10/16/2024 - 11:45

Topic

Abnormal Situation Management

Operation Performance Improvements During a Control Room Modernization

Optimization, Abnormal Situation Management

Facilitator:
Tim Olsen, Emerson Automation Solutions

Speakers:
Jerry Isch, Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Dave Lee, User Centered Design Services Inc.
Christi Mezzic, Emerson Automation Solutions
Johnny Serafin, Phillips 66

This is a panel session follow-on based on the recent AFPM webinar by Phillips 66 Bayway that discussed HMI and alarming enhancements during a control room modernization project. Key components discussed in the webinar were alarm rationalization and the development of HMI graphics based on human-centered design principles with the goal to improve safe reliable operation at the facility. Key design considerations come from industry standards and good shared practices, along with valuable input from key stakeholders across departments. This panel session will also discuss operator development to improve situation awareness as part of a control room modernization.

Come prepared with your questions by viewing the pre-session.

Speakers

Session Start End

Wed, 10/16/2024 - 13:15 - Wed, 10/16/2024 - 14:00

Topic

Optimization

Abnormal Situation Management

FAQ: How advanced recycling technologies can help give plastic new life

July 17, 2025

Given low domestic recycling rates for plastic, the efficacy of recycling is often called into question. But that doesn’t mean recycling doesn’t work. Advanced recycling technologies — as well as traditional mechanical recycling — play a pivotal role in addressing plastic waste and recovering the value in used plastics.

A comprehensive strategy to tackle plastic waste

August 6, 2025

No single solution can solve the global challenge of plastic waste. First, we must recognize that there is immense value in plastics and the ability to reuse or recycle these products. From there, we need to get a recycling system that works.

AFPM statement on path ahead for global plastic waste agreement

August 15, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) Vice President of Petrochemicals and Midstream Rob Benedict issued the following statement at the conclusion of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC- 5.2) where a global agreement to end plastic pollution was not reached, though participating nations have agreed to continue the process.

The Benefits of Good Alarm Management

Abnormal Situation Management

A well implemented alarm management program can deliver results that not only improves the operator’s situational awareness, decreases the potential of a safety related incident, and enhances environmental compliance but also reduces unplanned downtime, helps prevent equipment damage, lessens production losses due to off-spec production, and improves overall plant profitability. The alarm philosophy and rationalization efforts are key to establishing an effective alarm management program and sustaining it long-term.

Participants will:

Learn how Motiva improved their alarm management program.

Understand the need to have an alarm philosophy before beginning an alarm management program.

Understand the basics of alarm rationalization with a focus on quality alarms rather than quantity.

See related presentations on alarm management on the AFPM Safety Portal at https://safetyportal.afpm.org/File/2265/1

Moderator:
Tim Olsen, Emerson Automation Solutions

Speakers:
Steve Gill, HF Sinclair Corporation
Troy Jones, Motiva Enterprises LLC
Cristina Pirataie, Puffer-Sweiven

Speakers

Session Start End

Wed, 08/27/2025 - 13:15 - Wed, 08/27/2025 - 14:00

Topic

Abnormal Situation Management