It’s been a year since the launch of ACD’s podcast, Chemline: Inside the Chemical Distribution Industry – and eight episodes in, we’re thrilled by the response. Thanks to the thousands of you who have tuned in and for all the fantastic feedback we’ve received.
Recently, there’s been a surge in the popularity of the podcast format, particularly since the pandemic. ACD launched Chemline as an additional member resource to provide insight, analysis, and commentary on the go. During each episode, our host Eric R. Byer, ACD President and CEO, provides a concise breakdown of some of the most pressing issues we’re facing as an industry.
All podcast episodes are available across five different podcast platforms, completely free of charge. Anyone can access the content, providing a great opportunity for those who are not in our industry to learn about the fantastic work our members do and how chemicals positively affect their everyday lives.
To date, we’ve covered topics including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the Superfund tax, rail reform, and fraud. In every episode, we are sure to include input from at least one ACD member company, providing listeners with firsthand perspectives.
This season, we've decided to focus our programming on topics surrounding the new ACD pillars: education, advocacy, connections, and standards.
The latest episode focuses on the future of diversity in the chemical industry, emphasizing the importance of fostering greater participation from young Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) scholars at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as they enter the workforce.
ACD has been heavily involved in supporting the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI), a national program designed to break down financial barriers and offer support to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue a career in STEM. Sponsored by organizations with a focus in STEM, FOSSI provides scholarship recipients $10,000 each year for four years.
In the episode, Eric speaks with Kelly Montes de Oca, Senior Director, Corporate Responsibility & Community Engagement at the American Chemistry Council, as well as Sandy Sidey, Program Manager at FOSSI, Adrienne Blanks, Scholar Engagement and Education Program Manager at FOSSI, and Lisa Lanzkowsky, Chief Development Officer for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).
FOSSI’s impact is staggering. The initiative has raised over $30 million and funded 625 scholarships through 2025. Over 70 chemical manufacturers and industry stakeholders have helped fund the project, which has received thousands of applications from high school students nationwide.
Our next episode will go live next month, this time looking at the troubling attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on commercial ships in the Red Sea.
While these vessels are the target, the ripple effect is being felt on shores across the globe as shippers suffer delays and surcharges. Eric will sit down with experts such as Commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission, Carl Bentzel, about the wide-reaching repercussions that are being felt across the entire supply chain and the measures shippers are taking to limit the impact on their customers. We hope you’ll tune in!
Chemline: Inside the Chemical Distribution Industry is available for free on Apple, Google, iHeart Radio, Pandora, and Spotify. Find out more – and access previous recordings – by visiting our website. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact rfoley@acd-chem.com.
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