Chemicals & Energy

New President, Same Story: Coal Is Losing Out to Natural Gas

January 11, 2018

Just a day after federal regulators nixed a major Trump administration proposal to shore up the struggling coal industry, the nation’s top energy forecaster predicted continuing, slow declines in U.S. coal production and in the burning of coal for electricity in 2018 and 2019, thanks to cheap natural gas and coal plant retirements.

Growth Rate of Bioplastics Could Erode Demand for Oil, Research Shows

January 9, 2018

Environmental Leader

The use of bioplastics — made from plants instead of fossil fuels — is expected to grow by at least 50 percent in the next five years, according to the European Bioplastics Association.

Iranian Tanker Leaks Fuel After Colliding With Chinese Ship

January 9, 2018

The Wall Street Journal

A massive Iranian oil tanker was ablaze and leaking fuel in the East China Sea on Sunday after colliding with a large Chinese cargo ship, Iranian and Chinese officials said.

2030 Will Be the Turning Point for Oil and Coal, Risk Management Group Says

January 8, 2018

Maritime Executive

DNV GL has published the Maritime Forecast to 2050 which analyses the impact of the changing global energy system on the shipping industry through to 2050.

These Were Environmental Management's Top Five Trends in 2017

January 3, 2018

Environmental Leader

Although any number of trends surface in every industry every year, we’ve seen some winners in 2017 that are driving environmental improvements across all industries.

Kobe Steel Says Senior Executives Knew About Data Tampering

January 2, 2018

Reuters

Kobe Steel Ltd, at the centre of a data-falsification scandal that has shaken Japan’s manufacturing industry, admitted for the first time that executives were aware of the cheating, and reassigned three senior officials.

How to Reduce Costs With 'Energy As Financial Planning' Approach

December 28, 2017

Ty Eldridge, global energy consultant, Environmental Leader contributor

The diversity of options for securing energy and power available to an industrial energy manager today are vast and expanding.

America’s Trade Wars Are Heating Up, As More U.S. Companies Sue for Relief

December 28, 2017

The Washington Post

U.S. companies are bringing new trade lawsuits against their foreign competitors with a scope and frequency not seen in more than 15 years, government documents show, as a wave of new complaints builds under President Trump.

As Energy Markets Evolve, Blockchain Powers Up

December 27, 2017

Reuters

Energy startups have been using blockchain to power electricity sharing in microgrid trials from Texas to Tasmania for a year or so.

Trump Signs Executive Order to Expand Critical Minerals Production

December 22, 2017

The Washington Post

President Trump signed an executive order Wednesday instructing his deputies to devise "a strategy to reduce the Nation’s reliance on critical minerals" that are largely imported and used to produce everything from smartphones to weaponry.

Chemicals & Energy

The latest supply-chain news, analysis, trends and tools for executives in the chemicals and energy industries. Learn how chemical and energy companies and their suppliers around the world are managing the flow of products across all channels of the enterprise. Experts sound off on forecasting and demand planning, supply-chain visibility, logistics outsourcing, inventory optimization, transportation management, warehouse management, supply-chain security, corporate social responsibility and more.