Enabling Innovation

The U.S. petrochemical industry has a crucial and enduring role to play in meeting the needs of a growing world population while simultaneously fulfilling the imperative to produce petrochemicals in a sustainable and clean manner.

Polyester soccer jerseys, polyethylene swim lane dividers, carbon track shoe insoles, and the jet fuel that moves athletes all over the world. These are just a few examples of the and fuels and petrochemical-based materials that play an irreplaceable role in summer sports.

U.S. petrochemical manufacturers are at the forefront of research and development into cutting-edge solutions to give new life to used plastic products. Leveraging their in-depth understanding of plastics’ molecular composition and the manufacturing process itself, AFPM members are investing in recycling technology, infrastructure and partnerships that will reduce mismanaged plastic waste by applying unlocking its value as a feedstock.

AFPM President and CEO Chet Thompson addresses the 2021 AFPM Annual Meeting

With recent plastic waste legislation from New York and New Jersey making headlines, we sat down with AFPM Senior Director of Petrochemicals, Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Benedict to discuss the petrochemical industry’s role in reducing plastic waste, new technological breakthroughs and how AFPM analyzes plastic waste policy proposals.

From smartwatches to fitness trackers, wearable technologies help us optimize our lives.

Building on decades of broader efforts alongside automakers to advance fuel-efficient technologies and vehicles, refiners are leading the effort to transition the U.S. to high-octane gasoline.

Invented more than a century ago (1873, hat tip to Mr. Levi Strauss), blue jeans have evolved from humble origins into an American wardrobe staple.

Preface: So, I was asked if we can somehow tie Moon Day with petrochemicals. I said that I’m pretty sure space suits are made from synthetic materials, so that’s a pretty good tie-in.