Alexander H. Tullo

New York

Senior Editor at C&EN

Senior Correspondent, Chemical & Engineering News. Dad. Guitarist. Go Blue!

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Articles

Chemistry on currency and a chemical company's fine art sell-off

2 weeks ago | cen.acs.org | Alexander H. Tullo

Last April, the Aamjiwnaang First Nation reported hazardous levels of benzene in the air in Sarnia, Ontario. In response, the Canadian government quickly imposed strict limits on area facilities known to emit the carcinogenic chemical. The new regulation was aimed primarily at a nearby plant run by Ineos Styrolution, which uses benzene to make styrene, a precursor for polystyrene and other styrenic copolymers.
New US tariffs spare many chemicals

2 weeks ago | cen.acs.org | Alexander H. Tullo

Duties from the Trump administration hit most countries but not all chemicals
New US tariffs spare many chemicals

3 weeks ago | cen.acs.org | Alexander H. Tullo

The Donald J. Trump administration is imposing the toughest trade barriers in generations, levying new duties of at least 10% on every major trading partner. But the duties exempt many chemicals and most pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and energy products.
Petrochemical makers fret over their future

3 weeks ago | cen.acs.org | Alexander H. Tullo

It is facing its worst business downturn in a generation because producers overbuilt capacity just as the global economy stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The problem is particularly bad in Europe, where nearly every major petrochemical producer is reviewing assets for closure. At the same time, the industry is navigating the energy transition away from fossil fuels, carefully deciding which low-carbon projects to take on, which to shelve, and which raw materials to bet on for the future.
Sustainable polymer makers Danimer, Brightmark file for bankruptcy

1 month ago | cen.acs.org | Alexander H. Tullo

Demonstrating that making sustainable plastics isn't necessarily a sustainable business, two prominent green plastics operations-the biobased polymer maker Danimer Scientific and Brightmark's plastics pyrolysis plant-have gone bankrupt. Danimer filed for Chapter 11 in Delaware. It is seeking approval for $15 million in financing that will help it wind down operations and sell its assets. Danimer opened a plant in Winchester, Kentucky, in 2020 to make polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) via fermentation.
Chemical makers brace for trade war

1 month ago | cen.acs.org | Alexander H. Tullo

Chemical companies are mobilizing for the start of a new phase of the Donald J. Trump administration's trade war with Canada, Mexico, and China. The US briefly imposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico last week, perhaps to return in April, and it enacted stricter duties on goods from China. The administration planned to impose 25% tariffs on goods from free-trade partners Canada and Mexico on Feb.
Chemical makers brace for trade war

1 month ago | cen.acs.org | Alexander H. Tullo

Trump administration follows through on tariffs that could hurt chemical makers
Chemical makers brace for trade war

1 month ago | cen.acs.org | Alexander H. Tullo

Chemical companies are mobilizing for the start of a new phase of the Donald J. Trump administration's trade war with Canada, Mexico, and China now that the US is imposing tariffs on goods from those countries starting today. The administration planned to impose 25% tariffs on goods from free-trade partners Canada and Mexico on Feb. 4, but concessions from those countries on the flow of illicit fentanyl into the US persuaded the White House to freeze the plan for a month.
Air Products, Air Liquide signal cooling of hydrogen enthusiasm

1 month ago | cen.acs.org | Alexander H. Tullo

In moves that may signal a corporate retreat from big-ticket energy-transition projects in the US, the industrial gas maker Air Products and Chemicals is pulling back on major investments, while Air Liquide says several of the hydrogen initiatives it has committed to will depend on the alternative energy policies of the new administration of Donald J. Trump.
Celanese looks to cut as earnings lag

1 month ago | cen.acs.org | Alexander H. Tullo

After a challenging year in which markets such as automotive and construction faltered, Celanese is looking to mount a comeback. The chemical maker is reducing costs, shutting capacity, and even considering divestitures. On Feb. 18, the Texas-based company reported that 2024 sales fell 6%, to $10.3 billion, because of declining prices and volumes.