Addressing the 21st Century Talent Challenge - Chemistry Industry ...

THE MAGAZINE OF CANADA’S CHEMISTRY INDUSTRY

FALL 2013 | www.canadianchemistry.ca

Catalyst Addressing the 21st Century Talent Challenge

+

• Dow and NAIT: Sustainable Partnerships • NOVA Chemicals Officially Begins Alberta Polyethylene Expansion Project • CIAC Welcomes Trimac Transportation as a Responsible Care® Partner

We create chemistry that makes compost love plastic.

Most plastics don’t biodegrade, but ecovio® plastics from BASF biodegrade completely when composted in a controlled environment*. Using compostable bags for collection of organic waste makes disposal more hygienic and convenient. Rather than ending up in landﬁlls, the ecovio® bagged organic waste can be turned into valuable compost where programs exist. When the plastic bag you use today can mean a cleaner future for the environment, it’s because at BASF, we create chemistry. www.wecreatechemistry.com

*ECOVIO ® POLYMERS ARE CERTIFIED GLOBALLY BY THE BPI ACCORDING TO ASTM D6400, DIN CERTCO ACCORDING TO EN 13432, THE JBPA ACCORDING TO GREENPLA AND THE ABAM ACCORDING TO AS4736-2006 SPECIFICATIONS.

Partners in Responsible Care®

When it comes to safety, our true colours really shine. Anyone can offer up pearls of wisdom on the subject of road safety, but few companies live and breathe road safety each and every day. At Northwest Tank Lines there is simply nothing more important. For over 55 years, we have fostered a corporate culture of safety ﬁrst - in everything we do. Northwest surpasses regulatory safety standards and exceeds customers’ expectations through exemplary safety performance and through leadership roles with organizations including the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (as a Responsible Care® partner and TransCAER member), and the National Tank Truck Carriers. Annually, Northwest is recognized for safety performance through external safety audits, regulatory safetyperformance statistics, and safety awards. Like the black pearl, Northwest is unique - and our greatest value lies in our commitment to safety. Visit us at northwesttanklines.com.

VOLUME 10, NUMBER 2, FALL 2013

Contents

COLUMNS

7 President’s Message CIAC Advocacy: Positioning Canada’s Chemistry Industry for Growth Canada’s chemistry sector already contributes $26 billion annually to the Canadian economy, with that number predicted to nearly double in the next 10 years.

THE MAGAZINE OF CANADA’S CHEMISTRY INDUSTRY

FALL 2013 | www.canadianchemistry.ca

Catalyst

BY RICHARD PATON

8 Editor’s Desk Partnerships and Education Help Address Skills Shortages in the Chemistry Industry With an aging workforce and the younger generation expecting a quick payoff, the chemistry industry is in need of skilled employees. In her new regular column, Catalyst Editor Nancy Marchi explores the scope of the problem – and what can be done to fi x it.

Addressing the 21st Century Talent Challenge

+

BY NANCY MARCHI

10 Edifications

BY PIERRE GAUTHIER

PM# 40069478

Doing the “Right Thing” for Canadians Thanks to decisions made 28 years ago, chemistry products in Canada today are safer and more sustainable than at any other time in history. See how Canada became a world leader in this respect.

t%PXBOE/"*54VTUBJOBCMF 1BSUOFSTIJQT t/07"$IFNJDBMT0GmDJBMMZ #FHJOT"MCFSUB1PMZFUIZMFOF &YQBOTJPO1SPKFDU t$*"$8FMDPNFT5SJNBD 5SBOTQPSUBUJPOBTB 3FTQPOTJCMF$BSF®1BSUOFS

ON THE COVER: We explore Canada’s growing need for a skilled workforce and how that need can be fulfilled. Photo credit: Shutterstock.com

11 Responsible Care® Responsible Care® and Transportation Safety The recent tragic events in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, provide an opportunity for all involved in the shipment of hazardous goods to reflect on their responsibilities and obligations to protect the health, safety and environment of Canadian communities. BY BOB MASTERSON

12 Critical Perspectives The Evolution of Responsible Care® in China Responsible Care is taking an increasingly firm hold in China (backed by strong government support), something that is much needed as China becomes a world leader in the chemistry industry. BY DEBBIE JACKSON

FEATURES

13 Addressing the 21st Century Talent Challenge Most students in Canada graduate lacking the science, technology, engineering and math prerequisites needed to fulfi ll the county’s growing need for a skilled workforce. Let’s Talk Science aims to change that through its innovative and engaging program. BY SARA STEERS

15 Dow and NAIT: Sustainable Partnerships See how Dow and NAIT are helping to prepare the next generation for highly in-demand jobs by offering training and a chance to explore the industry firsthand. BY SHAWNA BRUCE

17 NOVA Chemicals Officially Begins Alberta Polyethylene Expansion Project A world-scale polyethylene reactor and associated infrastructure will help support growing North American demand for the many products that use polyethylene. The plant – estimated to cost $1 billion – also brings value to the region.

NEWS

16 CIAC Welcomes Trimac Transportation as a Responsible Care® Partner Trimac is the leader in the bulk trucking industry in Canada. Learn more about the company’s dedication to safety and how it fits in as a Responsible Care Partner.

Chemistry Industry Association of Canada President & CEO Richard Paton Vice-President, Public Affairs Pierre Gauthier Catalyst Editor & CIAC Communications Manager Nancy Marchi Association Office Chemistry Industry Association of Canada 805-350 Sparks Street Ottawa, ON K1R 7S8 Tel.: (613) 237-6215 Fax: (613) 237-4061 www.canadianchemistry.ca NAYLOR Publisher Robert Phillips Editor Rachael Ryals Project Manager Alana Place Sales Manager Bill McDougall Book Leader Wayne Jury Sales Representative David S. Evans Jason Simmons Research Katie Doerksen Sales Administrator Jennifer Lemay Layout & Design Patricia Best } Herainsel Design Editorial Office

Naylor (Canada), Inc. 1630 Ness Avenue, Suite 300 Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 3X1 www.naylor.com

BUYERS’ GUIDE

Catalyst is published three times per year by Naylor (Canada), Inc. for the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada. Responsible Care®, an initiative of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada, is an ethic for the safe and environmentally sound management of chemicals throughout their life cycle. Invented in Canada, Responsible Care is now practised in more than 60 countries. Copyright by the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada. All rights reserved. The views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or the association. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior consent of the association. PUBLISHED AUGUST 2013/CDC-T0213/9169

17 BUYERS’ GUIDE AND INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

Canadian Publications Mail Agreement #40069478 Postage Paid at Winnipeg

BY HARVEY F. CHARTRAND

SOLUTIONS

18 DuPont Corian® — A Sustainable Building Solution BY SARAH MAYES

Catalyst FALL 2013 • 5

Making everyday life easier, healthier and safer. As the largest polyethylene producer in Canada, we’re proud to enable great plastic products—like mulch bags and wheelbarrows . We steward products throughout their lifecycle, with an unwavering commitment to health, safety and the environment. So you get great plastic products that make life better.

novachemicals.com A Responsible Care® company.

President’s Message

CIAC ADVOCACY: POSITIONING CANADA’S CHEMISTRY INDUSTRY FOR GROWTH By Richard Paton THE CHEMISTRY INDUSTRY Association of Canada’s 2012-2015 Canada faces stiff competition for investment dollars with the Strategic Plan, titled Seizing Opportunities: Growing Canada’s U.S. Gulf Coast, where existing infrastructure and incentives make Chemistry Industry, estimates the it attractive to investors. But we are beginpotential for investment in our industry ning to see some growth. The readily availto be between $5 and 10 billion over the The readily available supply able supply of U.S. shale gas has also had a next 10 years. To support the plan, CIAC is positive impact on investment in Canada’s of U.S. shale gas has also focused on working with the federal and provchemistry industry: NOVA Chemicals has incial governments (Ontario, Quebec and refit its Corunna, Ontario, plant to use had a positive impact on Alberta, specifically) to help develop policy shale gas feedstock from Pennsylvania, conducive to securing these investments. and the company broke ground in June on a investment in Canada’s The American Chemistry Council $1-billion facility in Joffre, Alberta, that (ACC) recently published a report statwill access shale gas from North Dakota chemistry industry ing that the impact of shale gas develop(see the groundbreaking on page 17). ment in the U.S. could mean $72 billion These recent investments, and others, worth of investments over the next five to seven years, $50 billion are positive signs of renewal in the industry in Canada, but of which would be spread across seven U.S. manufacturing sectors. there are many challenges ahead to ensure Canada is globally competitive. To this end, CIAC’s advocacy efforts will continue to focus on the following policy areas: • the availability of competitively priced feedstock, such as natural gas liquids, off-gases from the oil sands, and biomass; • electricity rates; • climate change and air quality; • rail transportation costs and service; • access to trade markets; • tax measures, such as the accelerated capital cost allowance (ACCA); • skills shortages; • labour and construction costs. CIAC is committed to reaching the goals set out in its Strategic Plan, and we look forward to working with all levels of government to ensure a strong and sustainable chemistry industry. A Richard Paton is President and CEO of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada.


Editor’s Desk

PARTNERSHIPS AND EDUCATION HELP ADDRESS SKILLS SHORTAGES IN THE CHEMISTRY INDUSTRY By Nancy Marchi

AS I WRITE THIS, I’m sitting in the Edmonton airport, returning home from CIAC’s latest Board of Directors’ meeting, reflecting on conversations of the past few days. On my trip to Edmonton, I took advantage of the “down time” to catch up on some reading. The three industry trade magazines I’d shoved into my bag as I left the office each featured stories with a common theme on their covers: Help Wanted: Skills in Crisis;1 Workforce Challenges and Opportunities;2 and Skilled Trades Shortages, Increasing Employment Opportunities.3 It’s an emerging issue at CIAC: our Business and Economics group has done some informal surveying of members, and it was on the board agenda for discussion. During my time in Edmonton, the issue came up in almost every conversation I was privy to: from dinner with a friend doing recruitment for an engineering company (Do you have a license? Can you pass a drug test? You’re hired!) to a dinner with Alberta government officials. As I draft this column, a man behind me is talking about the difficulty he’s having finding welders for a project. The list of factors contributing to the shortages that our members and most other manufacturing sectors across the country are now facing is too long to detail in this column, but some of the comments I heard were: • there are long wait times for work visas for workers brought into the country; • there is high turnover (2-3 years) in jobs that used to boast long-time service employees; • the chemistry industry has a reputation for developing expertise in many areas – such as health and safety, operations – and many are now lured away by industries offering more lucrative salaries and signing bonuses; • it takes up to five years to train a new employee and up to 10 years for an employee to fully develop the skills and expertise the industry needs; • new graduates and young employees are looking for quick advancement, and will move to get it; • we have an aging work force, in both management and operations, with no experienced replacements readily available; • it can be challenging to attract workers to rural plant communities.

8 • Catalyst FALL 2013

It’s not just a shortage of workers issue; these challenges play a part in investment decisions as companies look at building or expanding operations in Canada. And it doesn’t just affect our industry members: it’s a challenge that our Responsible Care partners in the rail and trucking industry are also facing. So, where do you start? How do you plan for the long-term strength of the industry’s workforce? Many people I spoke to said education and reaching out to the next generation must play a key role. Whether it’s through industry partnerships with post-secondary institutions like those of NOVA Chemicals and Red Deer College (AB), LANXESS and Lambton College (ON), and Dow Chemical and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (see page 15), or through programs like those developed by Let’s Talk Science (see page 13), an organization working to bring renewed focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to youth. Most people agreed with the need to stimulate an early interest in STEM learning, but also suggested that attention be given to retraining mature workers and encouraging mentorship and apprenticeship programs. The federal government’s Economic Action Plan 2013 introduced measures to help in this area, but it remains to be seen how this will play out. Moving forward, the solution will require industry, associations, government and educators to work together. At CIAC, we are addressing the issues raised by our members, and working towards establishing coalitions with other trade and manufacturing groups facing similar challenges. Education initiatives and industry partnerships are good first steps towards ensuring a stable, skilled workforce in Canada. A Nancy Marchi is the Communications Manager, Public Affairs for the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada. She can be reached at [email protected] FOOTNOTES 1

20/20, May/June 2013, published by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Context, Spring 2013 , published by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers 3 The CTMA View, Spring/Summer 2013, published by the Canadian Tooling and Machine Association 2

Edifications

DOING THE “RIGHT THING” FOR CANADIANS By Pierre Gauthier THINK ABOUT IT, the life we enjoy today would not exist without chemistry products. Still, people naturally shrink from the vision of smokestacks and pipes running waste into our rivers. It is time to declare that image out of date. Thanks to decisions made 28 years ago, chemistry products in Canada today are safer and more sustainable than at any other time in history. Canada is a world leader in this respect. In 1985, the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) and its member-companies committed to Responsible Care a set of guiding principles developed to ensure that chemistry products were manufactured in a responsible manner. Today, over 60 countries around the world have adopted Responsible Care as their own industry standard. Chemicals, though their presence is often invisible to the consumer, are fundamental to our well-being. Try to imagine Canada without the $47 billion worth of goods that are produced every year within the sector. Even if you discount the 87,000 jobs that are directly created by this industry – along with 435,000 jobs indirectly – you cannot ignore the medicines, plastics, fabrics, fertilizers, paints, inks, fuels and more that are produced. In fact, most consumer products are either completely or partly composed of chemicals. With all the benefits the industry contributes to our daily lives, the business of manufacturing chemicals doesn’t come easy. There are risks and hazards associated with the manufacture and transportation of chemicals; there are stringent environmental regulations; and there is the NIMBY (not-in-my-back-yard) factor. Any one of these can sink a business; the chemical industry deals with all three, and others, every day. The environmental and safety record of the industry worldwide has not always been exemplary. Love Canal and Bhopal are just two instances of serious chemical-company blunders that have undermined public and regulatory confidence in the industry. All the more reason for the industry to plan carefully in order to minimize, if not eliminate, the potential dangers within its working environments. That is the view that CIAC took, when it created and launched Responsible Care, and asked its membercompanies to commit to the initiative as a condition of membership. The commitment involves not only reducing emissions: it also means designing more environmentally friendly plants, using process practices that meet or exceed government requirements, creating company cultures that foster health and safety, involving local communities in their businesses, and communicating openly with governments. Look at the industry’s record. The achievements since the inception of Responsible Care have helped to make it one of Canada’s

®


safest and most sustainable industries. In 1992, the association made Canadian history when it voluntarily set emissions reduction targets, and committed to publicly reporting the results. The target was ambitious – a reduction of 43 per cent of emissions in just five years. Thanks to the commitment and efforts of membercompanies, that target was surpassed, with a stunning 55 per cent reduction of emissions.1 Today, the results are even more dramatic. Since 1992, CIAC members have reduced emissions of known and suspected carcinogens by 98 per cent; reduced emissions of toxins targeted by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act by 89 per cent, reduced emissions of ozone-depleting substances by 99 per cent, and nearly eliminated emissions to water. The global warming potential of the chemistry industry today is 60 per cent less than it was 20 years ago. That is an achievement that no other industry has even approached. These are the kinds of results that have won the favorable attention of the United Nations, and given CIAC and its member-companies an enviable international reputation. But there is more to do. The industry continues to innovate to ensure that the sector remains a responsible player in Canada’s economy. While the accomplishments of the past need to be recognized and celebrated, the association and its member-companies are committed to continuous improvement. For instance, the new Responsible Care Ethic & Principles for Sustainability, launched in 2010, supports member-companies with new approaches to address current challenges like climate change, and responds to new opportunities, such as the emergence of alternative feedstock and energy sources. In a dynamic world, Canada’s chemistry industry is doing more than keep pace; it has taken a leadership role to ensure the sector makes a positive contribution to Canada’s quality of life. It has been a pioneer in the development of sustainable practices. Thanks to Responsible Care and the commitment of member-companies, Canada’s chemistry industry is a model of environmental responsibility and a major contributor to Canada’s economic growth and prosperity. A Pierre Gauthier is Vice-President, Public Affairs, Chemistry Industry Association of Canada. REFERENCE 1

To read about CIAC members’ success stories, visit www.canadianchemistry.ca to download a copy of the 20th anniversary edition of the Reducing Emissions Report.

Responsible Care®

RESPONSIBLE CARE® AND TRANSPORTATION SAFETY By Bob Masterson THE RECENT TRAGIC events in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, provide an opportunity for all involved in the shipment of hazardous goods to reflect on their responsibilities and obligations to protect the health, safety and environment of Canadian communities. A foundational event in the history of Responsible Care was the infamous Mississauga train derailment on Nov. 11, 1979. That event led to one of the largest mass evacuations in North American history, with over 250,000 citizens displaced from their homes and businesses. In response to that event, members of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada developed a detailed transportation code of practice to ensure that their commitment to transportation safety and security could be translated into meaningful, actionable and verifiable requirements capable of being met by all member-companies. Despite recent changes to the Responsible Care codes, the original transportation safety requirements remain fully in place, requiring members to select: • the safest equipment and containers for use in transporting their products; • the safest mode for transporting their products (whether rail, road or pipeline); • the safest route possible for the transportation of their products, identifying alternate transportation routes and schedule changes that minimize the exposure of people and environmentally sensitive areas to the hazards involved; • the safest transportation carrier possible, as determined by CIAC’s motor carrier and rail carrier evaluation criteria, which include safety, security and environmental performance and programs, inspection and maintenance procedures for equipment, selection and training of drivers and support staff; and • safe locations for warehouse and distribution facilities along the transportation route – whether owned by the company or other parties. Many other parties are involved and/or have the potential to be impacted by the transportation of hazardous materials. Responsible Care also places an emphasis on ensuring membercompanies work collaboratively with railways and road carriers, chemical distributors, other service providers and communities along transportation corridors so that: • residents, municipal officials and first responders are aware of any hazards associated with CIAC members’ products, and the transportation routes used for those products;

®

• what CIAC members are doing to reduce risks associated with the transportation of their products; • what they can do to best prepare for and respond to a potential transportation incident involving dangerous goods. Particularly important to ensuring these activities are adequately and regularly carried out are CIAC’s Responsible Care Partner companies. These partners are leading companies involved in the transportation of chemicals (railways, road carriers, rail car manufacturers, emergency response companies and others) that have likewise pledged to meet and be verified to the rigorous requirements of Responsible Care. Despite all these and other activities, it’s a fact of life that incidents can and do happen. Recognizing this fact, Responsible Care also obliges member-companies to have comprehensive and regularly tested emergency response plans in place, demonstrating that they have the capacities to safely and efficiently respond, contain and mitigate the impacts of a chemical transportation incident. Further, in instances where Responsible Care companies look outside for external emergency response contractors to assist in these efforts, they are obliged to only engage reputable and qualified local emergency response service providers who have been assessed and registered as being capable of meeting a comprehensive suite of relevant requirements. Every three years, as part of the regular verification process, CIAC member- and partner-companies are assessed by external parties as to their effective implementation of the above transportation safety requirements. Reports are made publicly available and those found not meeting the requirements must take appropriate corrective action before inviting the verification team to return and reassess the company’s efforts. From our perspective and that of our stakeholders, this is the right thing to do in managing transportation safety and security, emergency response planning and community engagement. It’s good for the long-term health of the business of chemistry and it’s good for society, and just one of the many ways in which Responsible Care demonstrates that our members and partners are conscientious and responsible stewards of chemical products. A Bob Masterson is Vice-President, Responsible Care for the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada.


Critical Perspectives

The Evolution of Responsible Care® in China By Debbie Jackson SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO, a Singapore-based journalist writing in Careline was critical of some of the speakers from Western multinationals attending the 1996 Asia-Pacific Responsible Care conference in Beijing. She had found their approach to experiencesharing somewhat dogmatic and thought they lacked an understanding of local issues. As well, she noted that much was said about the improvements made under Responsible Care, but there was scant acknowledgement of the problems still facing the chemical industry in the West. Fast forward to 2013 and it is a very different scene. In the intervening period, China has experienced remarkable growth and is currently ranked as world leader in terms of chemical production sales.* At a week-long series of events in April, industry representatives again gathered in Beijing to discuss Responsible Care and related topics. Many Western multinationals were present

Figuring it Out – The Chemical Industry in China • RMB7.2 trillion output – renminbi (RMB, sign: ¥) is the official currency of the People’s Republic of China • 12.7% growth in 2012 • 24,347 chemical enterprises • 7.07 million employees (including the petroleum sector) • 8.29% increase in value-added output for petrochemicals; 12.1% for chemicals Source: CPCIF 2012 Annual Report

Codes-Based Approach for China In 2011, the government launched a National Standard for Industry, incorporating the Responsible Care Codes (based on the six original codes: pollution prevention, distribution, occupational health and safety, process safety, community awareness and emergency response, product stewardship). Although it’s a voluntary standard, companies are strongly encouraged to adopt it.

®


but this time a number of them were represented by senior Chinese executives heading up local manufacturing activities, and they stood alongside local companies represented by a local association – the China Petroleum & Chemical Industry Federation (CPCIF). Best practice sharing covering a broad spectrum of Responsible Care issues was evident and practical, and based on local and overseas experience. China’s pace of growth brings a host of challenges along with the obvious benefits. The authorities, CPCIF and companies openly discussed these challenges at this year’s industry events, exploring how Responsible Care might help address issues ranging from basic employee health and safety through to product stewardship, sustainability and logistics, and identifying what actions are needed from key protagonists. Although efforts – led by the Association of International Chemical Manufacturers (AICM), set up in Hong Kong in 1988 – have been underway for longer, the evolution of Responsible Care in China has been much more evident since 2002. That year, a landmark agreement to cooperate on the promotion of Responsible Care was achieved between AICM and the newly launched CPCIF. The two bodies now cooperate in many areas. In 2005, their first joint Responsible Care conference drew 480 participants... and 600 attended in 2007. This year’s was the fifth such event. With its 300-plus members – including 44 sector associations, 20+ regional industry associations and leading institutions – and representing an estimated 85-90 per cent of China’s chemical sector, CPCIF’s commitment is essential to success. The organization has asked all its members to commit to Responsible Care and more than 160 have already done so; in 2011, the Chinese authorities adopted the Responsible Care standard

as “recommended practice,” also integrating it into the 12th Five-Year Plan (5YP) covering 2011-2015. A pivotal point of the 5YP is the gradual relocation of industry into huge parks. Companies within the complex must implement Responsible Care. There is concrete evidence this is already happening: for example, in 2012 Tianjin Nangang Chemical Industrial Park issued its first Responsible Care Report. Other 5YP points include control of safety risks, energy conservation, and emissions reduction measures. Action on these issues is clearly needed: according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the manufacturing sector accounted for 70 per cent of the country’s total energy consumption in 2012, while the chemical sector accounted for upwards of 50 per cent of total environmental accidents over the past five years. In October 2011, the Ministry of Civil Affairs approved the CPCIF Responsible Care Work Committee, jointly initiated by 80+ organizations, including state-owned companies, industry associations, chemical parks and overseas companies. The committee has set up groups covering topics such as storage and transport safety, process safety and emergency response. Logistics is an important area of focus. For example, Europe’s Road Safety and Quality Assessment System (RSQAS) has provided an effective tool for assessing logistics service THE EVOLUTION continued on page 18

Feature

Addressing the 21st Century Talent Challenge By Sara Steers ACCORDING TO THE Canadian Chamber of Commerce1, skills shortages are the number one barrier to Canadian competitiveness globally. It’s estimated that during the next 10 to 15 years, 6.5 million Canadian jobs will require workers – most of them with high-level skills developed through science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning. Yet, most Canadian youth graduate

from high school without the prerequisites to pursue post-secondary studies in STEM. Let’s Talk Science, an awardwinning national charitable organization with more than 20 years of experience engaging children, youth and educators in STEM, aims to address these challenges by supporting youth learning and engagement through unique STEM-learning programs and services. “It’s our goal to help Canadian children and youth fulfill their potential, and to prepare them for their future careers and roles as citizens in a world that is rapidly changing,” says Let’s Talk Science president and founder Bonnie Schmidt. “We need to engage youth in STEM learning at a young age, foster that curiosity throughout the school years, encourage them to keep doors open when making decisions about their education, and educate them about the many careers available to them when they do choose to pursue STEM.”

Building a Solid Foundation Let’s Talk Science knows investments in early childhood education reap considerable benefits over the lifetime of a child. To support early learners, Let’s Talk Science is developing a suite of tools, resources and services for early years and primary grade educators. Housed under a central, dynamic, online place called IdeaPark, resources include Wings of Discovery print resources, Webs of Wonder online resources and professional learning programs and training opportunities for educators. “I had the opportunity to field test Let’s Talk Science’s new early-learning resources in our Kindergarten classroom and I was incredibly impressed,” says Charmayne Rumbolt, principal, Truman Eddison Memorial, Gunner’s Cove, Newfoundland. “They [allowed teachers to] focus on the learning outcomes in the class. As for the kids, they were firmly engaged!”

®

Inspiring Confidence Next to parents and teachers, role models are the most powerful influencers of youth attitudes and decisions. Through Let’s Talk Science Outreach, the organization connects more than 180,000 youth and educators with outstanding STEM volunteers, who include post-secondary students, faculty and industrybased professionals. More than 3,300 volunteers from 40 university and college locations engage youth from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in a wide variety of free hands-on/minds-on STEM experiences in schools and community settings. This national program increases youth interest in post-secondary education and their desire to pursue post-secondary studies in STEM, and also enhances the skills and abilities of students and volunteers. Each year, about 20 per cent of these activities involve chemistry. Several inclass workshop kits focus solely on engaging youth in STEM through chemistry, including a crime lab kit that involves fingerprinting and DNA activities. Many outreach activities also have an environmental theme or focus. These have included a green roof project where elementary students build and tend to a green roof at their school; a salmon re-introduction project where students raise salmon from fry in their classroom, learn about conservation and release the teenaged salmon into local waterways; and a high school symposium focusing on sustainability and the environment. The Let’s Talk Science All Science Challenge – an enrichment event for Grade 6, 7 and 8 students – is also available in 23 locations across Canada each spring. Students study a handbook, which includes a chapter on chemistry, and compete in an all-day event where they answer difficult questions and work together to solve a hands-on design challenge. “The All Science Challenge is a way of increasing student enthusiasm about science, but I also like the fact that it’s a free program,” said Louise Quinn, Grade 8 teacher, Hess Street Public School, Hamilton, Ontario. “I Catalyst FALL 2013 • 13

teach at an inner city school and a lot of times the cost is a real barrier to the things we can do. Often, a lot of my former students come back and say ‘Remember the stuff we learned in the All Science Challenge handbook? We just learned that in Physics class today!’ So they see that continuity, they see that basic knowledge and how it branches out.” Let’s Talk Science recently received support from Dow Chemical to grow its program reach in Central Alberta. This includes expanding the outreach program at the University of Alberta, bringing on a new outreach post-secondary partner in Central Alberta, bringing students from surrounding areas to participate

in the All Science Challenge in Edmonton and encouraging educators to use CurioCity with their students.

Cultivating Talent CurioCity/CurioCité (ExploreCurioCity. org) is Let’s Talk Science’s web-based program that connects Grade 8 to 12 students and teachers with the STEM community. It is an interactive and reliable place for youth and educators to engage in STEM issues and explore STEM careers, using technologies and relevant contexts that appeal to teens. In addition to numerous articles, videos and career profiles, CurioCity explores

MIXING - BLENDING - DISPERSION

T

®

H E

**** NOW AVAILABLE OF U.H.M.W. POLYETHYLENE **** Patented

Anti-Static

Natural

Bottom Line

*

Most efficient and aggressive Poly Blade available.

*

Provides combination of pumping action for material turnover and shear/dispersion.

*

Low shear without teeth also available.

*

Gives much longer life than typical metal blades.

*

When leading edges are worn blade can be turned over to start like new.

*

Also available of polyurethane, nylon, teflon, polypropylene and other materials.

*

Traditional stainless Conn Blades readily available.

*

Call or e-mail: [email protected] for pricing and availability

Since 1948

CONN

AND

CO., L.L.C.

www.connblade.com 11 SOUTH MARION STREET FAX (814) 723-8502


606262_Conn.indd 1

•

Stirrers Or Complete Units For: PAINTS URETHANE FOAMS ADHESIVES SLURRIES INKS GROUTS CEMENTS ETC. . . .

WARREN, PENNA. 16365

•

specific themes such as biotechnology, sky science and energy, in a deeper manner. Often, these themes are tied to youth action projects that connect volunteers with classrooms across the country to conduct projects where real-time data is collected and the findings are shared among peers. This spring, more than 7,500 students in 310 classrooms across Canada participated in Let’s Talk Science’s RaDI-N2 & You project on CurioCity. They collected neutron radiation data using radiation bubble detectors – the same detector used by Canadian Space Agency astronaut Chris Had, so the sales administrator must havefield while aboard the International Space Station (ISS) from December 2012 until May 2013. They then compared their results to astronaut Hadfield’s, Jazz pilots’ and other classrooms’. Another action project, in partnership with the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, involved students collecting fresh or frozen seafood products to generate a DNA bar code sequence. After the DNA bar codes were analyzed, students discovered that 14 per cent of the samples were mislabelled. For example, a sample labelled Cod was actually found, on DNA analysis, to be Tilapia. Let’s Talk Science is pleased to collaborate with CIAC to showcase the importance of STEM learning for Canada’s future. The chemistry industry faces talent pressures over the next two decades; therefore, it is increasingly important that youth are engaged and understand the diverse pathways that are available with a STEM background.

As the Canadian job climate changes, it’s important for students to be prepared for the jobs of the future. The growth and prosperity of Canada depend on the ability to develop the skills and talents of all Canadians, starting from early childhood. Getting students to understand how STEM is relevant to their lives and future jobs is the first step in addressing the 21st century talent challenge. For more information about Let’s Talk Science, visit letstalkscience.ca A Sara Steers is director, external relations for Let’s Talk Science. Reference: 1

PHONE 814/723-7980 s r

r

TM

19/09/12 11:19 PM

Top Ten Barriers to Competitiveness (2013), The Canadian Chamber of Commerce http://www.chamber.ca/images/uploads/Top10/ 2013/Booklet_Top_10_Barriers_2013.pdf

Feature

Dow and NAIT: Sustainable Partnerships By Shawna Bruce IN OCTOBER 2012, students in Northern Alberta’s Institute of Technology (NAIT)’s Power Engineering Technology Program were hosted by Dow at a special Power Engineering – Where It Can Take You seminar showcasing the extensive field of power engineering at Dow Canada. The seminar featured an overview of Dow’s operations in Alberta and showcased the global opportunities that Dow offers its employees. “Dow’s 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 36 countries across the globe,” said Dow’s Public Affairs Manager Shawna Bruce. “We wanted an innovative way to demonstrate to students that our company offers career opportunities here, close to home and around the globe.” More than 120 first- and second-year Power Engineering students attended the seminar to learn about the opportunities at Dow. Members of the Dow leadership team, HR specialists and plant operators attended the event. The operators were all former NAIT Power Engineering graduates now working at Dow’s Fort Saskatchewan site. “We value our partnership with NAIT and we believe that by hiring local graduates, it is helping to build strong, sustainable

communities,” said Joe Deutscher, site director for Dow’s Alberta Operations. “We’ve hired many NAIT grads over the years, and to this day, they continue to support various programs throughout this institution by being guest speakers, providing input on course curriculum and participating in discussions about industry best practices. They all remain enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge with the next generation.” Dow is also employing 12 Power Engineering students from May to August as part of their practicum requirements for the program. Students write their fourth-class Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) exam at the end of their first year and after completing their practicum for Dow, they gain enough steam time to write their thirdclass ABSA exam. “NAIT provides the instruction, and Dow provides the steam time and experience to write their third-class tickets, increasing their employability,” Deutscher said. “This is a great example of the need for industry to continue partnering with our local postsecondary institutions.” The graduates from the Power Engineering Technology Program are in

Dow Fort Saskatchewan operators fielded questions from NAIT students during the October 2012 “Power Engineering - Where it Can Take You” seminar. The operators were all former NAIT graduates.

high demand in sectors such as power generation, heating plants, refrigeration, oil and gas, petrochemicals, and pulp and paper. Many of the students were interested in the program based on their first exposure to Dow’s operations at the Power Engineering – Where It Can Take You seminar. “This summer job opportunity offers students a unique look at Dow so that they can determine if they are a fit with our corporate culture,” Deutscher said. “We continually promote the ethic and principles of being a Responsible Care company, and we are an industry leader with our safety programs. For some students, this may be their first exposure to an industrial setting and we need to start them off with the appropriate focus on our environment, their health and their safety.” Dow will continue to support the NAIT Power Engineering Technology Program, which provides students with the theoretical and practical skills necessary for the safe and efficient operation of boilers, pressure equipment, turbines, pumps, compressors and other plant equipment. “Here at Dow, we’re always looking outside the box to find innovative ways to connect with our community and this seminar opportunity serves as one example,” Bruce said. “We’re also exploring other training opportunities with NAIT to see what they may be able to bring to us in support of employee development, and we’ve made initial introductions with the Let’s Talk Science Program and NAIT. Collaborative partnerships between industry, academia and our community organizations are what will ensure we stay current with the hiring trends to keep ourselves in the game.” A Shawna Bruce is the Public Affairs Manager, Dow Chemical Canada ULC, based in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. Catalyst FALL 2013 • 15

News

CIAC Welcomes Trimac Transportation as a Responsible Care® Partner By Harvey F. Chartrand AT CIAC’S BOARD of Directors’ meeting on June 12, Trimac Transportation Ltd. was approved for membership as a Responsible Care Partner. In addressing the board, Ed Malysa, president and chief operating officer of Trimac Transportation, said: “I am very pleased to have been accepted as a Responsible Care Partner committed to Responsible Care and transporting the products of chemistry in a safe, environmentally and socially responsible manner. We are committed to continuous improvement in operations, safety and the health of our

®

Ed Malysa, president and chief operating officer of Trimac Transportation

employees, and the safety of the communities in which we operate across Canada.” Trimac is the leader in the bulk trucking industry in Canada. The company has been in business since 1945. Trimac Transportation’s liquid bulk hauling for the chemical industries is primarily located in Central and Western Canada, the Eastern United States and the Gulf and West Coasts of the U.S. Dry bulk shipments for the construction, mining and forestry industries are located for the most part in the Central and Western States and throughout Canada. Petroleumbased products are mainly hauled on the West Coast of the U.S. and across Canada. Trimac also transports industrial gases. “Trimac’s core value is and always will be safety and it is embedded in everything we do,” Malysa emphasized. “We will accomplish our goals by providing a ‘Preferred

THE STRONGEST BONDS WE MAKE ARE WITH OUR CUSTOMERS.

Harvey F. Chartrand is an Ottawa-based writer-researcher and regular contributor to Catalyst magazine.

HDTS Chemicals provides the following services: • New Substance Notifications (NSN) • Non-Resident Importers Canadian Agent • Importer of record for NSN

The extraordinary chemistry between Olin ChlorAlkali and our customers has made us the largest merchant supplier of chlorine and the 3rd largest supplier of caustic soda in North America.

• Site specific customized training for WHMIS / TDG / GHS • Authorized MSDS authoring software distributor CANWrite™ (CCOHS) / TECISⓇ (Trivalent) • Safety Data Sheet Authoring services (multilingual) • Toxic substances management services: - Emergency Response Activation Plans (ERAP) - Pollution Prevention Plans (P2) - Environment Emergency Plans (E2) - Toxic Substances Reduction Planner License # TSRP-0096 (TRA)

We want to become Canada’s preferred source for chlorine, caustic soda, bleach, HCl and Hydrogen. We’re always looking for better ways to serve you. That’s the Olin promise. That’s the chemistry of people.

• Supplier partner to the CACD • Proud supporter of You Be the Chemist

Olinchloralkali.com 514-397-6224 16 • Catalyst FALL 2013

Place to Work’ for our employees that facilitates the highest level of commitment and service for our customers. Our motto is: ‘Service with Safety.’ ” Trimac was recognized as one of 20 Best Fleets to Drive For in North America for the third year in a row by the Truckload Carriers Association and by Carrier’s Edge (an online truck driver training program). “Everyone is responsible for safety in our organization, from the driver to the mechanic, wash rack employee, dispatcher and operations manager through to the president and CEO,” Malysa said. For more information, visit www.trimac.com A

supplier partner

643733_HDTS.indd 1

23/07/13 10:28 PM

Feature

NOVA Chemicals Officially Begins Alberta Polyethylene Expansion Project NOVA CHEMICALS CORPORATION held a groundbreaking celebration on Friday, June 7 to celebrate a growth milestone at its Joffre, Alberta, complex. This event marked the official start of the construction phase of the Polyethylene 1 (PE1) Expansion Project – a key component of the NOVA 2020 growth strategy of adding value to emerging cost-competitive feedstocks and to support growing North American polyethylene demand. The PE1 Expansion Project will include a world-scale polyethylene reactor and associated infrastructure. The project is designed to produce between 950 million and 1,100 million pounds per year of linear low-density polyethylene, enabling the company to increase polyethylene production at the site by about 40 per cent to meet growing customer demand. The project is expected to be commissioned in the fall of 2015 and will cost $1 billion, including capital and start-up costs. Speaking at the PE1 Expansion groundbreaking event, NOVA Chemicals CEO Randy Woelfel said: “As we commemorate this moment, we are grateful for the support we have received from many groups, including our community neighbors, the supportive municipal, Alberta and Canadian governments, our employees and many others who continue to help NOVA Chemicals add value to Alberta’s natural resources in the form of polyethylene. We are proud to launch construction for what is expected to be the first new linear low-density polyethylene plant to start up in over a decade in the U.S. and Canada. This is a milestone in our NOVA 2020 journey and a big step in moving forward with our commitment to leadership in the markets we serve.” Chris Bezaire, NOVA Chemicals’ Senior Vice-President, Polyethylene, said: “Adding more capacity will allow

Alberta Energy Minister Ken Hughes (right) joins Randy Woelfel for ceremonial pellet pour during platform ceremony, while other government guests look on.

us to take full advantage of the most current technology available and, in many cases, produce new and better products. With more capacity and better products, we believe NOVA Chemicals will be in a strong position to continue to help our customers succeed in their markets – and we very much see this as a win-win opportunity.” Also attending the groundbreaking event was Alberta Energy Minister Hon. Ken Hughes, who said: “I would like to congratulate NOVA Chemicals on their $1-billion expansion of Joffre’s

polyethylene 1 facility. We recognize the need to optimize the value of our portfolio of energy products and this expansion is a perfect example of the world-class hydrocarbon upgrading cluster that we have right here in Alberta.” There are different product grades and industrial and consumer applications for polyethylene. It is used to produce a wide variety of materials and consumer products such as grocery bags, milk containers, stretch film, agricultural films, large outdoor toys and housewares. A

Buyers’ Guide and Index to Advertisers BEAKERS FortisBC ...............................................Inside Back Cover

CHLOR ALKALI CHEMICALS Olin Canada ULC...........................................................16

BLENDING BLADES & MIXING EQUIPMENT Conn & Company, LLC..................................................14

CUSTOM COMPOUNDS & CHEMICAL ADDITIVES NOVA Chemicals (Mktg Communications) .....................6

CHEMICAL & SERVICE PROVIDERS Dow Chemical Canada ULC ............................................9 NOVA Chemicals (Mktg Communications) .....................6

PLASTICS NOVA Chemicals (Mktg Communications) .....................6

CHEMICAL CONSULTANTS HDTS Chemicals Inc. ....................................................16 CHEMICAL PRODUCERS BASF ....................................................Inside Front Cover Dow Chemical Canada ULC ............................................9 Imperial Oil Ltd, Chemicals............... Outside Back Cover NOVA Chemicals (Mktg Communications) .....................6 CHEMICALS - FORMULATING & PACKAGING NOVA Chemicals (Mktg Communications) .....................6

PROCESS AIDS - PLASTIC NOVA Chemicals (Mktg Communications) .....................6 PROCESS CONTROL EQUIPMENT NOVA Chemicals (Mktg Communications) .....................6 RAIL TRANSPORTATION CN-Canadian National ....................................................3 TRANSPORTATION Harmac Transportation Inc. .................Inside Back Cover TRUCKING FIRMS Northwest Tank Lines.....................................................4


Solutions

DuPont Corian® – A Sustainable Building Solution together, are certified as producing low emissions of volatile organic compounds.5 Corian is also non-porous, non-toxic and non-allergenic, and does not support microbial growth, making it ideal for use in hospitals, schools and other public spaces. But Corian scores its biggest sustainability points for its durability, stain resistance and renewability. With no glossy finish to scratch, it does not show wear and tear as much as high-gloss stone surfaces. Even after decades of use, Corian can be brought back to its original condition through on-site cleaning and sanding, minimizing the need to replace or dispose of it. It can also be removed, re-cut and reworked into new products or designs. In addition, DuPont’s extensive network of Corian fabricators ensures that in most cases, the product can be manufactured within a close proximity of its installation, reducing the environmental impact of transporting it over long distances.

®

By Sarah Mayes CANADIANS PRODUCE MORE than 25 million tonnes of solid municipal waste each year,1 and as much as a third of that comes directly from construction, renovation and demolition projects.2 To help reduce the environmental footprint of construction, Chemistry Industry Association of Canada members are innovating to develop sustainable building solutions. One example is DuPont’s versatile Corian 3 solid surface material, which can be used on walls, floors, countertops, bathroom vanities, and in a myriad of other commercial and residential applications. Made from minerals and acrylic resin, DuPont’s Corian Terra collection is manufactured using a minimum of six per cent pre-consumer recycled content.4 The Corian itself, and the adhesive used to join pieces of it

®

®

®

®

®

®

THE EVOLUTION continued from page 12 providers’ management systems for quality, safety and environmental protection with the aim of improving chemical transportation safety on China’s roads. AICM is working closely with CPCIF and spearheading efforts to promote Responsible Care outside the chemical sector – at meetings of the China Dangerous Chemicals Forum and the Tank Cleaning Organization, for example. Other AICM activities seek to strengthen its more mature Responsible Care efforts, including dissemination of its new eLearning course as part of capacity-building activities, continuation of its successful workshop program, and development of a Process Safety Training program with government. Industry and government know there’s a long haul ahead. CPCIF president Li Yongwu said people in China fear the chemical industry; he was echoed by senior advisor Gu Juesheng who highlighted public distrust in the wake of high-profile incidents such as the 2008 scandal of melamine added to milk powder which affected more than 50,000 infants and grabbed headlines worldwide. Gu Juesheng also expressed concern that the concept of product stewardship is a “revolutionary management principle” for China’s chemical sector. Together with community awareness and emergency response, he believes these two elements will prove the hardest to implement. Based on the experience of numerous other countries’ adoption of Responsible Care, Gu Juesheng is probably correct. But that global experience is being put to good use. AICM and CPCIF have been observer-members of ICCA since 2010, and ICCA is supporting capacity-building efforts on Responsible Care and its Global Product 18 • Catalyst FALL 2013

Because of its highly sustainable characteristics, commercial buildings that are constructed using DuPont Corian can earn credits towards LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. For more information about DuPont Corian solid surface, visit www.corian.com A

®

®

Sarah Mayes is Director of Public Affairs for the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada. FOOTNOTES 1

Statistics Canada. Disposal of waste, by source: Canada, provinces and territories: http://www5.statcan.gc.ca/cansim/a05?searchType ByValue=1&lang=eng&id=1530041&pattern=1530041 2 Public Works and Government Services Canada. The Environmentally Responsible Construction and Renovation Handbook: http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/biens-property/gdenv-cnstrctn/page-8-eng.html 3 Corian is a registered trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. DuPont Canada is a licensee. 4 As certified by Scientific Certification Systems: http://www.scsglobalservices.com/certified-green-products-guide?pd_pid=25954 5 DuPont Corian , and the adhesives used to install it, are GREEN GUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified : http://www.greenguard.org/en/ProductDetail.aspx?productID=3143&include Words=corian

®

®

®

Strategy (GPS) initiative. Product-related activities are important, as China lacks an integrated chemicals management approach. China aims to fully implement the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) to provide a solid foundation for identifying new chemical substances, and for risk assessment and risk management for existing chemicals, as well as for hazard classification, labeling, etc. Regulatory issues are high on the agenda – such as new regulations, enforcement, harmonization of activities within different ministries, and harmonization with regional and global frameworks. But, as one industry representative remarked during the Beijing meetings at a ceremony to mark the first-ever AICM Responsible Care awards, there is “no clear definition between performers and non-performers; a lot of companies still do not comply with regulations in China.” As Responsible Care takes an increasingly firm hold in China (backed by strong government support), it will be a fascinating journey – one that promises to make a tangible difference to the considerable challenges that face China’s chemical sector in the years ahead. A *European Chemical Industry Council, Cefic, Facts & Figures 2012 Debbie Jackson is the communications advisor to the International Council of Chemical Associations’ (ICCA) Responsible Care Leadership Group and former publisher of Careline, the global Responsible Care magazine.

55 Arrow Road, North York, Ontario M9M 2L4 (416) 642-0515 (o) • (416) 642-0935 (f) www.harmactransportation.com

644392_Harmac.indd 1

UP TO

R

6/6/13 5:52 AM

1 million*

$

E B A T

630373_FortisBC.indd 1

E

21/06/13 3:20 AM