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Hurricane Harvey Causes Loss of Half of US Production of Key Chemical Copolymers

IHS Markit notes linear alpha olefins are essential to PE production; loss impacts other major plastics producers.

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By: DAVID SAVASTANO

Editor, Ink World Magazine

In late August, Hurricane Harvey’s flooding rains shut down more than 50% of the US production and nearly one quarter of global production of linear alpha olefins (LAOs), a group of chemicals essential to the production of most polyethylene (PE), according to analysis from IHS Markit, a world leader in critical information.   Polyethylene is the world’s most-used plastic. PE is essential for the production of numerous materials ranging from film for packaging and grocery bags, to detergent bot...

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