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This report by RMI analyzes the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the US chemical industry, focusing on six primary chemicals: hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, ethylene, propylene, and benzene. It identifies 20 emissions reduction levers across four categories—alternative production methods, alternative heat sources, cleaner operations, and alternative feedstocks—and evaluates their current deployability and maximum potential to reach a net-zero sector by 2050.

This report by RMI uses polyester as a case study to analyze how product definitions and demand from retail sectors can accelerate the market for low-emissions chemicals. It identifies specific technological pathways to reduce the lifecycle emissions of polyester t-shirts and argues that setting emissions reduction thresholds at upstream stages (such as the PET resin step) is more effective at driving chemical industry decarbonization than setting them at the finished fabric stage.

This guide by RMI outlines the application of thermal batteries to decarbonize heating in the United States chemical and petroleum refining sectors, which contribute 5% to 6% of US greenhouse gas emissions. It details how these batteries store electricity as heat in materials like graphite or bricks to provide high-temperature heat for industrial reactions and distillation, potentially reducing heat emissions by up to 99%.

A statement by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) arguing that the chemical industry is attempting to undermine the ability of US states to enact protective toxic chemical legislation through the reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

This December 2007 submission from the Chemicals and Allied Industries Association (CAIA) to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) critiques the proposed minimum emission standards for listed activities. CAIA argues that the standards lack essential technical elements—such as averaging periods and compliance tolerances—and fail to follow the legally binding National Air Quality Framework. The association specifically opposes the adoption of European Union standards without considering the South African context, suggesting World Bank Standards as a more appropriate minimum baseline.

This briefing document outlines technical and regulatory issues arising from a May 15, 2013, workshop between the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and industry stakeholders regarding the Section 21 emission standards. It focuses on refining activity descriptions, adjusting emission limits for specific industrial processes, and addressing the legal and practical implications of including 'use of' and 'storage' in the listed activities.