Chemical Processing Distilled

The Alchemist Signs Off

After nearly two decades, Seán Ottewell retires from Chemical Processing, leaving behind a legacy that spans battlefield bones, Neanderthal adhesives and one particularly memorable hedge. In this episode, Editor-in-Chief Traci Purdum highlights some of his best work...including taking a tinkle on his neighbor's landscaping.

Strait of Hormuz Chaos, TSCA Reform and More — March 2026 in Chemical Processing

Supply chain shocks from the Iran conflict, a contested overhaul of chemical safety law, an ethylene oxide rollback and a green chemistry advance — the month's biggest stories summarized by Executive Editor Jonathan Katz.

The Hidden Costs and Risks of Cross-Training Operators

Cross-training process plant operators sounds simple, but execution is often flawed. Human factors engineer Dave Strobhar explains that effective cross-training must be based on job complexity and demonstrated competency — not arbitrary time requirements. Common pitfalls include inconsistent crew procedures that cause negative transfer of training, inadequate alarm management for operators returning to console roles and subjective assessments that fail to verify true proficiency. Decision-making exercises offer a low-cost way to prepare crews for high-stakes, low-frequency events. Looking ahead, Strobhar predicts automation and AI will fundamentally reshape operator roles, demanding more technical knowledge and sharper system-oversight skills from tomorrow's workforce.

CP Notebook: ACD's Eric Byer on Iran, Tariffs, and the Fight Over Rail

In this bonus episode, Executive Editor Jonathan Katz highlights main points from his recent interview for his Chemical Processing Notebook series. 

Eric Byer lives and works in Washington, D.C., where he fights for more than 400 companies that make up the Alliance for Chemical Distribution. As CEO and president of ACD, he backs the interests of chemical distributors by lobbying on issues such as fair trade policy, rail reform, and chemical safety. He has testified before Congress on several of these issues and keeps his members informed on the trends and legislation that affect their bottom line. I recently spoke with Byer as the Iran war was escalating and his members were already feeling the pressure.

 

Solutions Spotlight: Don't Let the Wrong Mag Meter Cost You

Corrosive acids, erosive slurries, viscous polymers, fluids with variable conductivity — these are the kinds of process streams that prove most challenging. Selecting the wrong technology or materials can mean frequent failures, costly downtime or, worse, a safety incident. Electromagnetic flow meters — also known as mag meters — have been a workhorse of the chemical industry for decades. But there's a lot more nuance to applying them well in tough services than most people realize, and some newer developments in the technology haven't gotten nearly the attention they deserve.

To better understand all that mag meters have to offer, Chemical Processing sat down with Tim Lellman, electromagnetic flow product manager at KROHNE. This episode was sponsored by KROHNE

When Experience Becomes a Blind Spot

Workforce Matters columnist Lauren Neal explains what happens when experience stops sharpening judgment and starts dulling curiosity. The comfort and danger of “we’ve seen this before.”

You can read the full column here.

This was read by Editor-in-Chief Traci Purdum.

Distilled News: Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs, Dow's AI Bet and the EPA's Climate U-Turn

Executive Editor Jonathan Katz reviews this month's chemical industry news, which covers a landmark tariff ruling, Dow's AI-driven layoffs, the rollback of the EPA's Endangerment Finding, BASF's India expansion and a new leader for global plastics treaty talks.

Train Operators for Real-World Chaos, Not Perfection

Chemical processing operators need training that mirrors real-world conditions, not idealized scenarios. The final six guidelines from Walter Schneider's research emphasize maintaining motivation through consequences, presenting complex contexts with distractions, intermixing tasks to build switching skills, and incorporating time pressure. Training should capture expert strategies that minimize workload—like focusing on key parameters rather than monitoring everything—and teach operators to triage actions during high-stress situations. By including realistic elements such as weather conditions, phone calls, and multiple simultaneous problems, training programs help operators learn what to prioritize and when. This naturalistic approach accelerates skill development for managing chemical plants' complex, fast-moving challenges.

eChem Expo Brings High-Value Training to Manufacturers

eChem Expo, recently acquired by Chemical Processing’s parent company EndeavorB2B, returns April 7-9, 2026, in Kingsport, Tennessee. Conference Director Damon Shackelford discusses the event's evolution from a regional gathering to a comprehensive three-part experience featuring an expo floor with nearly 200 vendors, professional conference sessions and technical seminars. This year's theme, "Energizing Growth and Resilience in a Competitive Landscape," addresses critical industry challenges including workforce development, AI integration, operational excellence and safety. New for 2026: inspector recertification credits meeting API guidelines. The market-led conference builds content through 100-plus stakeholder interviews with major manufacturers like Eastman Chemical, BAE Systems and BWXT, offering affordable professional development within driving distance for attendees from Cincinnati to Atlanta.

Most Read: Amid Regulatory Uncertainty, Chemical Industry Navigates Innovation

From light-driven catalysts to EPA debates, chemical sector balances technological advances with safety, economic and environmental challenges. Editor-in-Chief digs into what the audience was reading.