Complete Story

11/22/2024

Industry on the Geaux

Louisiana’s chemical industry is vital to modern transportation, powering vehicles, trains, planes, and ships while enhancing their safety, efficiency, and durability. From the fuels that drive cars and cruise ships to the advanced materials that create lightweight components for planes and trains, our state’s industry is essential to keeping the world moving. With innovative products like corrosion-resistant coatings, durable plastics, and energy-efficient lubricants, Louisiana’s chemical plants contribute to every aspect of travel on land, at sea, and in the sky, ensuring comfort, reliability, and sustainability.

Transportation - Car Banner

Louisiana’s chemical industry is essential to the cars we drive, providing the materials that make vehicles safer, more efficient, and reliable. Polypropylene plastics from BASF are used to craft lightweight car bumpers and interior trim, while methanol from Methanex contributes to fuel-efficient, lightweight car panels. Silica from PPG ensures tires roll smoothly on the road, and polycarbonate materials provide clarity and impact resistance for headlights and tail lights, enhancing visibility and safety. Your car’s AC couldn’t be kept cool on those hot days without refrigerants made by Westlake. Beyond cars, asphalt created by ExxonMobil constructs durable roads, and acrylics from Arkema improve the visibility and durability of road signage.

Transportation - Power

Local industries refine crude oil into gasoline, powering cars and supporting transportation around the world. Even electric vehicles are powered by industry! Needle coke, a vital component of EV batteries, is produced by Phillips 66.

Transportation - Engine

Car engines are kept running smoothly with high-quality lubricants produced by Citgo, Shell, and Chevron, ensuring optimal performance. Synthetic rubber belts, crafted with materials from Firestone, efficiently transfer power throughout the engine, keeping vehicles reliable and ready for the road.

Transportation - Seats

Seat belts are made strong and durable with woven polyester fibers derived from Shell’s ethylene, while seat cushions offer soft yet supportive comfort thanks to polyurethane foam produced by Dow.

Transportation - Plane Banner

Transportation - Planes

Planes carry passengers worldwide, powered by jet fuel produced by your local industry. Adhesives, produced by Huntsman, are used to bond sections of the plane, reducing the aircraft’s weight and drag, while maintaining structural integrity. Lightweight carbon fiber wings, made with epoxy resin from Hexion and Olin, help keep these aircraft in the sky. Even plane windows rely on aviation-grade materials like acrylics from Cornerstone and polycarbonates from Dow, offering impact resistance, while maintaining clear visibility. Hydraulic fluids are essential for the smooth operation of aircraft engines, landing gear, and flight control systems.

Transportation - Planes Interior

Functionality and comfort inside the cabin are also enhanced thanks to industry. Polyurethane foam from BASF provides both insulation and comfort in passenger seats, while PVC from Westlake and Formosa is used for cabin trim, flooring, and wall coverings due to its durability and easy sanitization. Overhead storage compartments, crafted from lightweight, moldable polyethylene produced by ExxonMobil, offer convenience and efficiency.

Transportation - Train Banner

Transportation - Train

Trains are kept running smoothly and reliably thanks to industry. Epoxy resins from Hexion and Olin create strong, weather-resistant coatings on train exteriors, protecting metal surfaces from corrosion. Lubricants are essential for mechanical parts like wheel bearings and braking systems, ensuring smooth operation and reducing wear. Train windows, made with durable polycarbonates from OxyChem, ensure clear visibility for passengers and conductors. Even railway tracks benefit, staying rust-free with the help of corrosion inhibitors produced by BASF.

Transportation - Train Interior

Innovate materials from Louisiana industry contribute to passenger comfort while on trains. Polyethylene from Shell is used to create durable, lightweight plastics for seats and tables, ensuring functionality in high-traffic interiors. Polyurethane foam from Dow enhances passenger seats with comfort and support.

Transportation - Ships

Ships are powered around the world by diesel fuel, produced locally, which provides the energy to set sail. Once aboard, PVC from Shintech, Westlake, and FG creates non-slip, water-resistant coatings for ship decks, ensuring safety at sea. Specialized lubricants reduce friction and wear in mechanical systems like engines and propellers, improving energy efficiency. Protective coatings guard metal surfaces against saltwater corrosion and prevent marine organisms from attaching to the hull. Even acrylics, used for windows and display panels, provide durability to withstand the elements of the ocean while maintaining visibility.

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