secure

American Chemistry Council member companies have invested over $8 billion to further enhance security at their facilities over the last seven years.

lifesaving

The chemical industry creates the majority of raw materials used in lifesaving healthcare products such as sutures, tubing, IV components, filters, scalpels and gloves.

4 x

American Chemistry Council member companies achieved an employee safety record that is more than four times safer than the average of the U.S. manufacturing sector.

saved thousands

American chemistry developed a fiber stronger than steel, which has saved thousands of police officers.

lifesaving

The chemical industry creates the majority of raw materials used in lifesaving healthcare products such as sutures, tubing, IV components, filters, scalpels and gloves.

84 percent

American chemistry produces 84% of the materials used to formulate medicines.

$14 billion

We invested $14 billion in environmental, health and safety programs last year.

GHGs

For every unit of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted by the chemical industry, society saves more than two units of GHGs through use of chemistry products and technologies.

energy savings

Vinyl windows have excellent thermal performance properties, while vinyl-coated wire and cable have high electrical resistivity, helping to prevent energy losses.

cool

Chemistry-intensive roof coatings help reflect solar heat away from the rooftop, promoting cooler indoor spaces.

wind power

Wind power blades contain many chemistry products, including polyester and resin additives.

solar power

Solar power relies on silicon-based materials and other chemistry products.

energy efficient

We have reduced our fuel and power energy consumed per unit of output by more than half since 1974.

less fuel

“Low rolling resistance” tires are made by adding chemistry products – silica and polysulfidosilanes – to tire tread to help increase fuel efficiency.

lightweight

Every pound of plastics and composites used to “lightweight” an automobile produces 2-3 pounds of weight savings in that vehicle.

16 %

Our absolute greenhouse gas emissions fell 16 percent between 1990 and 2008.

30 years

Drug innovations based in chemistry have helped increase the life expectancy in the U.S. by 30 years over the past century.

11 %

We generate nearly 11% of all U.S. patents.

$48 billion

We invest $48 billion in research and development annually.

80 thousand

The American chemistry industry employs the highest share of knowledge workers, including: 80,000 scientists, engineers and technicians.

850 thousand

The business of chemistry employs up to 850 thousand people nationwide.

5 million

American chemistry generates nearly five million related jobs – in agriculture, automotive and other industries.

$174 billion

We are one of America's top exporters, with $174 billion in annual exports accounting for more than 10 cents of every dollar in total U.S. merchandise exports.

$689 billion

We are one of America's largest industries, a $689 billion enterprise.

$90 billion

American chemistry generates employee compensation of $90 billion.

$8 billion

The American chemistry industry is the second largest shipper of goods along rail lines, transporting 175 million tons of products annually and paying nearly $8 billion in rail transportation costs.

2 % GDP

American chemistry creates 2% of the U.S. GDP.

45 % higher

The chemical industry pays 45% higher wages than the average manufacturing sector.

lifesaving

The chemical industry creates the majority of raw materials used in lifesaving healthcare products such as sutures, tubing, IV components, filters, scalpels and gloves.

responsible

All members of the American Chemistry Council implement Responsible Care® and are subject to independent audits of their headquarters and plants to ensure they are complying with rigorous standards for environmental, health, safety and security practices.

fresh food

American chemistry produces resins that keep food fresh, allowing meat to be shipped to and stored in developing nations for up to six months without refrigeration.

300

We established 300 community advisory panels in the U.S. to solicit input from and improve communications with towns and cities where we live and work.

He

The American chemistry industry is the world leader in producing liquid helium, the chemical which makes MRI machines possible by cooling the superconductive magnets.

19 %

We produce 19 percent of the world's chemicals, more than any other country.

protection

The chemical industry makes products essential to national defense: polyaramid fibers make aircraft invisible to radar, cobal chloride purifies air in gas masks, and Nylon 6 makes parachutes and ropes.

reduction

American chemistry develops consistent definitions and methodologies for emission reduction programs.

training

The chemical industry created the TRANSCAER® program, which provides information and emergency training in communities through which hazardous materials are transported.

protection

The American chemistry industry protects more people from diseases via disinfectants than anyone else.

public

The American chemistry industry concurred with the EPA and Environmental Defense that basic health and safety data should be publicly available for chemicals produced in high volume.

progress

The chemical industry provides regular progress reports on greenhouse gas emissions reduction to government agencies, the media and the general public.

53

The chemical industry has implemented Responsible Care in more than 53 national associations, which share a common commitment to advancing the safe and secure management of chemical products and processes.

prevention

American chemistry produces the active ingredient in aspirin, classified by the World Health Organization as “essential” and responsible for reducing and preventing thousands of heart attacks.

community

We partner with government agencies like the Department of Homeland Security to protect our ability to produce vital products and ensure the safety of community neighbors.

vital

The chemical products manufactured by our members are an essential part of every facet of our nation’s economy. Over 96% of all manufactured goods are directly touched by the business of chemistry.

safe water

American chemistry makes water safe to drink for more people than anyone else.

safe

American chemistry has one of the best employee safety records of any industry.

vision

American chemistry creates the substance used to make highway signs visible to motorists at night.

24/7

The American Chemistry Council operates a round-the-clock emergency communications center known as CHEMTREC®.

$3 billion

The American chemistry industry contributes almost $3 billion each year to charitable causes.