The US chemicals industry is preparing to launch a nationwide campaign in response to the growing concern about the long-term damage to the industry caused by soaring energy costs and critical voices of environmentalists.

The decision to have a public campaign follows frustration of the industry with the lack of political action over rising energy prices, such as natural gas, a major fuel in US chemicals plants. Sympathy for the chemicals industry is limited due to a poor environmental reputation which, lobbyists say, is a misunderstanding. The campaign is largely designed to convince Capitol Hill to improve the price situation in America.

Members of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) are said to be discussing funding for TV advertisements aimed at raising awareness of how widely their products are relied on in everyday life. No details of the campaign have been revealed.

Rising energy prices have contributed to the loss of thousands of jobs in the US industry this year, today representing $450 billion. Major players have, since, started focusing new investment on projects in the Middle East, where natural gas costs less.

Share this story: