US chemical producers expressed optimism regarding the future growth of petrochemicals in 

the  US  and  were  hopeful  that  decreased regulatory measures associated with the Trump 

administration would help facilitate growth. 

Speaking  on  a  panel  at  the  American  Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers' International 

Petrochemical  Conference  in  San  Antonio, executives  from  Air  Liquide, Chevron Phillips 

Chemical  and  ExxonMobil  addressed regulatory concerns, tax reform, export opportunities 

and difficulties finding skilled labor. 

Peter  Cella, president  and  CEO  of  Chevron  Phillips, and  Neil  Chapman,  president   of 

ExxonMobil, both emphasized the importance of the petrochemical industry's engagement in 

terms  of  regulatory  change. "We want regulation, we just don't want overreach," Chapman 

said. "Industry engagement is more important now to put in the right kind of regulation." 

Related: Find more content about Trump's administration in our news and analysis feature. 

The panel also touched on tax reform, with Chapman  noting that while tax reform proposals 

may seem drastic, they are necessary. In  reference to the notion of a border tax, Chapman 

said  reform  was  necessary  given  that exports are a $200 billion business, and that of the 

800,000 jobs in the industry, one-third were dependent on exports. 

"Comprehensive  tax  reform  is  in  the  best  interest  of industry in this country," said John 

Buckley, CEO of Air Liquide. 

Exports were a central part of the discussion, and Cella noted that exports played a significa

nt role in growth. Cella estimated that more than 60% of new capacities were slated for expor

t  and  that  this  was  good  for  the  industry  as  it  created jobs and investment in railroads, 

trucking  and  ports. "We  are  buying  3,000 railcars and 85% of the material is coming from 

domestic sources. The entire country is benefiting from growth," Cella said. 

The panel went on to discuss a dearth of skilled labor, with the industry facing a shortage of 

37,000  skilled  workers. To  combat  this  shortage, investment  in  education  is  necessary, 

Buckley said.