In this Chemical Processing podcast, Traci Purdum and Dave Strobhar discuss training guidelines for operators. They cover five of 11 guidelines based on Walter Schneider's research: promoting consistent processing to build automaticity (where tasks become automatic), designing training for repeated practice of critical skills, avoiding memory overload through reference materials, varying training conditions to match real-world scenarios, and maintaining active trainee participation. Dave emphasizes practical applications like alarm recognition and emergency response training. The discussion highlights how proper training helps operators perform effectively under stress by developing automatic responses to critical situations rather than relying solely on conscious thought.

Cautiously Optimistic Despite Near-Term Headwinds

U.S. chemical sector shows resilience with long-term growth potential amid trade uncertainties and uneven recovery.

Martha Gilchrist Moore, chief economist for the American Chemistry Council, offers her predictions for the coming year.

Editor-in-Chief Traci Purdum reads the column.

You can read the article here.

Alexandra Savino explains why new data showing recycled plastics contain more hazardous substances than virgin materials is driving Extended Producer Responsibility reforms that link compliance to chemical performance.

Key Highlights EPR now includes chemical safety, increasing scrutiny on contaminants like metals, PFAS and PAHs in post-consumer recycled plastics.

Upstream accountability is growing, with regulators and brand owners requiring chemical producers to verify product safety and recyclability data.

Proactive compliance creates opportunity, as processors that audit, reformulate and improve traceability can gain an advantage in chemically safe recycling.

Read the column here.