Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1380119
June 2021 / 7 PBE UPFRONT INDUSTRY NEWS US infrastructure spending would jumpstart chemicals demand The proposed $2 trillion infrastruc- ture plan for the US would boost spending to build and upgrade the country's transportation, housing, automotive, and communications systems according to a recent article by Joseph Chang from Independent Commodity Intelligence Services (ICIS). The plan would require chemicals and polymers on a large scale not seen since World War II. The plan is still being debated and negotiated in congress, and some industry groups are opposed to the tax increases that the plan calls for. Some of the most relevant proj- ects to the powder and bulk solids industry that make up part of the proposed legislation include trans- portation infrastructure such as highways, roads, streets, and bridges that require concrete and asphalt; automotive vehicle manufacturing, particularly for electric vehicles (EVs), which would require raw materials such as rare earth mate- rials for batteries and plastics for general automotive use and in EVs; and water infrastructure upgrades to replace lead pipes with copper, galvanized steel, and PVC as well as to improve water remediation for contaminated drinking water. The infrastructure plan proposes some changes to tax law, including raising corporate tax rates, closing tax loopholes, creating changes to the tax codes to discourage off- shoring, and eliminating some tax breaks for the fossil fuel industry. The American Chemistry Coun- cil's (ACC's) CEO, Chris Jahn, said, "We do have grave concerns with tax provisions in the proposed plan that would make America less competitive, sti e innovation, and interfere with our ability to invest, innovate, create jobs, and provide technologies that will be critical to infrastructure improvement, clean energy, and climate solu- tions." The National Association of Manufacturers, Associated Gen- eral Contractors of America, and the American Petroleum Institute also expressed concerns over tax changes in the infrastructure plan. ICIS, London, England, is a mar- ket intelligence company focused on the global commodities markets related speci cally to the chemicals and energy industries. PNEUMATIC CONVEYING SYSTEMS • BULK BAG LOAD/UNLOAD SYSTEMS BAG DUMP STATIONS • FLEXIBLE SCREW & AERO-MECHANICAL CONVEYORS MULTI-INGREDIENT HANDLING • BATCH WEIGHING & SCALING SYSTEMS UL-LISTED & APPROVED CONTROLS • MOBILE VACUUM CONVEYING SYSTEMS FEEDER REFILL SYSTEMS • FOOD/PHARMA SANITARY VACUUM RECEIVERS MOBILE CONVEYING SYSTEMS • DIRECT-CHARGE BLENDER LOADING VACUUM RECEIVER FOR OEM APPLICATIONS • GEL CAP CONVEYORS TABLET PRESS LOADING SYSTEMS • INDUSTRIAL VACUUM CLEANERS 69 WILLIAM STREET • BELLEVILLE, NJ 07109 • (800) VAC-U-MAX • info@vac-u-max.com A Better Way To Convey. Guaranteed. Let us solve your powder/bulk material handling needs, challenges, and requirements for compliance! Fill out RFQ at vac-u-max.com or call (800) VAC-U-MAX. Proudly serving process industries with over 65 years of application expertise in conveying over 10,000 various powders & granular bulk materials - since 1954. Powerful, Reliable & Available in General Purpose or Sanitary Designs, with "Air-Tight Performance Guarantees TM ". Mobile Vacuum Conveying Systems are available in general purpose or sanitary designs and accommodate varying discharge heights. A Better Way To Convey. Guaranteed. Let us solve your powder/bulk material handling needs, challenges, and requirements for compliance! ill out RFQ at vac-u-max.com or call (800) VAC-U-MAX. Proudly serving process industries with over 65 years application expertise in conveying over 10,000 various powders & granular bulk materials - since 1954. Powerful, Reliable & Available in General Purpose or Sanitary Designs, with "Air-Tight Performance Guarantees TM ". Mobile Vacuum Conveying Systems are available in general purpose or sanitary designs and accommodate varying discharge heights. 4.4736x7.5_PBE_02-2021.indd 1 2/24/2021 4:45:30 PM