In everyday life, it’s common to not be able to get the products and supplies a consumer needs due to the many supply chain disruptions our world is currently facing. No one has been untouched by the supply chain disruptions from regular everyday consumer products to the automobile industry because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Now it’s time for us to take a further look into supply chain chaos in the past and how it’s affecting places like the chemical industry now.
Chemical Supply Chain Disruptions: A History of
As a world, there are many instances in which disruptions have taken place, and they come in many forms from production, transportation, supplies, consumer demand, and shortages. How do disruptions like these come about? It can emerge from anything like weather-related disasters, to consumer protests, and even like most recently, trucker protests in Canada that have barred trucks from making it to the United States and disrupting cross-border trading efforts.
Figure 1 below shows in detail the many ways in which supply chain disruptions have taken place in all its many forms.
Figure 1. History of Supply Chain Disruptions (Diann Daniel)
Most notable in terms of supply chain disruption was Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged the Gulf of Mexico back in 2005 causing shockwaves that were felt up the Mississippi River and across the nation. Though, Hurricane Katrina brought to light how unprepared businesses and consumers were for such a large disaster that it set a precedent for how we look at supply chain disruptions even today. For example, when Texas was hit with an unforeseen polar vortex.
Economic Factors Affecting Supply Chain
Economic shifts are also a means of supply chain disruptions. Looking at the 2016 Brexit event, when the UK left the EU there were many changes made to the supply chain after that dramatic shift in economics. Seeing how different kinds of environmental factors affect supply chains, with the recent COVID-19 pandemic taking place, how is the chemical industry being impacted by COVID-19 supply chain disruptions?
The Chemical Industry and COVID-19 Disruptions
Chemical companies and the chemical industry overall have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Before we can examine the effects on the chemical industry, we must look at supply chains overall.
During the pandemic, businesses had way too much stock as consumers cut back on spending and tightened budgets due to lay-offs and job losses. Businesses were able to liquidate inventories and cut their losses. But as consumers reentered the markets and began resuming their previous purchasing habits, businesses inventories could not make the demand. In the U.S. Census Small business survey, it was found that about 36% of small businesses reported shipping delays because of their suppliers. Figure 2 below outlines industries’ supplier supply chain disruptions because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Figure 2. Disruptions by Industry (U.S. Census Bureau)
More About the Chemical Industry
Seeing sectors like transportation and warehousing sitting at almost 20% shows a correlation to the chemical industries and the transportation of chemicals to manufacturers. A key takeaway from an NACD Shipping Survey concluded that in June 2021, 84.5% of chemical distributors reported that they were out of some products with a potential of that number going up to 92%. Take into account as well that this survey was conducted well before the holiday season and there is no follow-up study to reflect those statistics.
As 2022 continues, supply chain issues will continue to worsen for chemical manufacturers as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused manufacturers and businesses to modify their operation processes because of supply chain disruptions. Things like raw materials needed to make chemical products have been affected the most because of shortages and the increased transit costs because of supply chain demands and lack of drivers
Also, to keep up with these rapid changes of demand in the chemical markets, over 1 million drivers need to be hired to keep up with the rapid demand. In terms of shortages of raw materials, companies are taking other steps to counteract the effects of supply chain disruptions. Figure 3 below shows how companies overall planned activities in May of 2020 versus June of 2021.
Figure 3. Supply Chain 2020 and 2021 (McKinsey)
Furthermore, chemical industries and more are making constant shifts to counter supply chain disruptions and work to find new ways to support business and facilitate sales. Businesses and consumers alike can now ask the question if they’re learning how to make changes now, how can they continue to avoid situations like this in the future?
How to Avoid Issues in the Future?
How are situations like this avoided in the future? Risk managers help provide valuable insight into how businesses can better themselves in the event of the past. There are around five ways in which risk managers have found that businesses can look to, to make sure events like these are preplanned for, some of those suggestions are:
Meaning to look at risks already identified for the future and find the right data to help in the decision-making processes. Quantifying risk can also be looking at risk and the interactions those risks may have and looking at all outcomes that could take place.
This goes beyond looking at the outcomes of risks. Planning scenarios suggest looking at all the parts of your supply chain and transport and evaluating all your processes as they would happen through different scenarios.
The world is better when we all work together. To work to prevent future supply chain disruptions, businesses and companies must build networks full of elements from all parts of the supply chain to work on risk management strategies together.
The many processes of working through the network of the supply chain to share what everyone knows about their duties. Furthermore, data sharing ensures open knowledge to all networks. This way there can be a standard built between parts of the supply chain to help lessen the impact of future disasters.
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Public and Private Matters
Stakeholders have a large impact on the businesses they support. Keeping an open transparent line of communication with stakeholders is important. Therefore, businesses can keep good relationships and build better trust with stakeholders.
Looking For Chemical Supply Chain Transparency?
Here at Ecolink, Inc we work to provide the utmost transparency about the situation of our supply chains and inventory. As a company, we work to find whatever ways possible to find the product that you need for your business. Having risk managers on staff here at Ecolink, we work constantly to make sure we have the right plans in place in case of emergencies.
Consistently as a company, we make sure to keep our website and social media platforms with the most updated information we can ensure you are aware of the status of the products we have.
For more information about how we are handling supply chain disruptions or questions about how we can help you find a product that has been disrupted by supply chains contact us here today! We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Ecolink Community Updates
Interested in more in the Ecolink Community? You can read one of our other community blogs here! Stay tuned for Ecolink Community blogs in the future by checking us out on social media! There you’ll be able to keep up with our latest community updates and blogs!
The Benefits of Lucky Lemons Bleach Additive
/in Tidal Washers Product Blogs/by Industrial DegreasersLooking for a Bleach Additive?
If you have been searching for an industrial-strength bleach additive, you’ve come to the right place. Lucky Lemons Bleach Additive is an alkaline solution whose principal ingredient is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid/tetrasodium salt tetrahydrate (1%-5% by weight). It is a bleach additive that increases bleach’s cleaning capacity by producing foam, which boosts bleach’s cleaning power by lengthening its surface contact time and improving its surface permeability.
How to Use Lucky Lemons Bleach Additive
To use Lucky Lemons Bleach Additive, simply mix about 1 ounce of the additive into each gallon of bleach you will be using. (For reference, about 1-2 quarts of Lucky Lemons will be required per 55 gallons of bleach.) Do not make the mixture more concentrated than needed, as this will create an extremely thick foam that may be difficult to rinse off of surfaces.
Beneficial Traits of Lucky Lemons Bleach Additive
Wondering what makes Lucky Lemons Bleach Additive different from other bleach additives? It possesses several beneficial features, including:
Lucky Lemons Bleach Additive Safety
It is very important to read over Lucky Lemons Bleach Additive’s Safety Data Sheet before use. This document contains information about how Lucky Lemons Bleach Additive can affect human health, what personal protective equipment should be worn while using it, what steps should be taken if it comes into contact with skin or eyes, and other key safety instructions. (This is an important first step for any industrial cleaning solution.)
Looking to Buy From Tidal Washers?
Now that you have learned about how to use Lucky Lemons Bleach Additive, its benefits, and its safety information, are you wondering where to purchase it? Lucky Lemons Bleach Additive is one of the industrial-strength cleaning solutions offered by Tidal Washers. Tidal Washers is a division of Ecolink that provides a variety of bleach additives (including Lucky Lemons), masonry cleaners, graffiti removal chemicals, and other industrial solutions. All of our products are formulated with eco-friendly ingredients and are available in several bulk sizes, making them perfect for commercial use.
Have any questions? Want to learn more? Our team of chemists would be happy to assist you. Please contact us today by calling 800-563-1305 or filling out our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!
The Benefits of Industrial Metal Prep
/in Tidal Washers Product Blogs/by Industrial DegreasersWhat Is Industrial Metal Prep?
Industrial Metal Prep is a commercial cleaning solution that is primarily made up of phosphoric acid, caustic potash, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, and propan-2-ol. It is an acidic solution that cleans, polishes, and de-rusts metal surfaces to prepare them for additional treatment. It also temporarily prevents rust from developing on metal surfaces.
Important Features of Industrial Metal Prep
Industrial Metal Prep possesses a number of excellent benefits that other rust removal products may not have. Some of these benefits include:
Steps for Applying Industrial Metal Prep
Using Industrial Metal Prep only requires a few simple steps:
Where to Find Tidal Washer Products?
Are you interested in trying out Industrial Metal Prep to clean and de-rust metal surfaces? Industrial Metal Prep can be obtained from Tidal Washers, a division of Ecolink, Inc. Tidal Washers offers a range of parts washer detergents, exterior house cleaners, butyl degreasers, non-butyl degreasers, and many other industrial cleaning products. All of Tidal Washers’ solutions are formulated with the environment and our customers in mind, making them safer for workers and better for the planet.
Tidal Washers’ team of chemists is happy to answer any inquiries that you may have. We also create custom products for those who need unique or specialized solutions that they cannot find elsewhere on the market. To purchase Industrial Metal Prep or any of Tidal Washers’ high-quality chemical solutions, please email us at info@tidalwashers.com or call 800-563-1305 today!
For more information about Ecolink and other Ecolink related questions, please contact us here.
The Chemical Industry & Supply Chain Disruptions
/in Ecolink Community/by Industrial DegreasersIn everyday life, it’s common to not be able to get the products and supplies a consumer needs due to the many supply chain disruptions our world is currently facing. No one has been untouched by the supply chain disruptions from regular everyday consumer products to the automobile industry because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Now it’s time for us to take a further look into supply chain chaos in the past and how it’s affecting places like the chemical industry now.
Chemical Supply Chain Disruptions: A History of
As a world, there are many instances in which disruptions have taken place, and they come in many forms from production, transportation, supplies, consumer demand, and shortages. How do disruptions like these come about? It can emerge from anything like weather-related disasters, to consumer protests, and even like most recently, trucker protests in Canada that have barred trucks from making it to the United States and disrupting cross-border trading efforts.
Figure 1 below shows in detail the many ways in which supply chain disruptions have taken place in all its many forms.
Figure 1. History of Supply Chain Disruptions (Diann Daniel)
Most notable in terms of supply chain disruption was Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged the Gulf of Mexico back in 2005 causing shockwaves that were felt up the Mississippi River and across the nation. Though, Hurricane Katrina brought to light how unprepared businesses and consumers were for such a large disaster that it set a precedent for how we look at supply chain disruptions even today. For example, when Texas was hit with an unforeseen polar vortex.
Economic Factors Affecting Supply Chain
Economic shifts are also a means of supply chain disruptions. Looking at the 2016 Brexit event, when the UK left the EU there were many changes made to the supply chain after that dramatic shift in economics. Seeing how different kinds of environmental factors affect supply chains, with the recent COVID-19 pandemic taking place, how is the chemical industry being impacted by COVID-19 supply chain disruptions?
The Chemical Industry and COVID-19 Disruptions
Chemical companies and the chemical industry overall have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Before we can examine the effects on the chemical industry, we must look at supply chains overall.
During the pandemic, businesses had way too much stock as consumers cut back on spending and tightened budgets due to lay-offs and job losses. Businesses were able to liquidate inventories and cut their losses. But as consumers reentered the markets and began resuming their previous purchasing habits, businesses inventories could not make the demand. In the U.S. Census Small business survey, it was found that about 36% of small businesses reported shipping delays because of their suppliers. Figure 2 below outlines industries’ supplier supply chain disruptions because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
More About the Chemical Industry
Seeing sectors like transportation and warehousing sitting at almost 20% shows a correlation to the chemical industries and the transportation of chemicals to manufacturers. A key takeaway from an NACD Shipping Survey concluded that in June 2021, 84.5% of chemical distributors reported that they were out of some products with a potential of that number going up to 92%. Take into account as well that this survey was conducted well before the holiday season and there is no follow-up study to reflect those statistics.
As 2022 continues, supply chain issues will continue to worsen for chemical manufacturers as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused manufacturers and businesses to modify their operation processes because of supply chain disruptions. Things like raw materials needed to make chemical products have been affected the most because of shortages and the increased transit costs because of supply chain demands and lack of drivers
Also, to keep up with these rapid changes of demand in the chemical markets, over 1 million drivers need to be hired to keep up with the rapid demand. In terms of shortages of raw materials, companies are taking other steps to counteract the effects of supply chain disruptions. Figure 3 below shows how companies overall planned activities in May of 2020 versus June of 2021.
Figure 3. Supply Chain 2020 and 2021 (McKinsey)
Furthermore, chemical industries and more are making constant shifts to counter supply chain disruptions and work to find new ways to support business and facilitate sales. Businesses and consumers alike can now ask the question if they’re learning how to make changes now, how can they continue to avoid situations like this in the future?
How to Avoid Issues in the Future?
How are situations like this avoided in the future? Risk managers help provide valuable insight into how businesses can better themselves in the event of the past. There are around five ways in which risk managers have found that businesses can look to, to make sure events like these are preplanned for, some of those suggestions are:
Quantifying Risk
Meaning to look at risks already identified for the future and find the right data to help in the decision-making processes. Quantifying risk can also be looking at risk and the interactions those risks may have and looking at all outcomes that could take place.
Planning Situations
This goes beyond looking at the outcomes of risks. Planning scenarios suggest looking at all the parts of your supply chain and transport and evaluating all your processes as they would happen through different scenarios.
Network Building
The world is better when we all work together. To work to prevent future supply chain disruptions, businesses and companies must build networks full of elements from all parts of the supply chain to work on risk management strategies together.
Sharing Information
The many processes of working through the network of the supply chain to share what everyone knows about their duties. Furthermore, data sharing ensures open knowledge to all networks. This way there can be a standard built between parts of the supply chain to help lessen the impact of future disasters.
Public and Private Matters
Stakeholders have a large impact on the businesses they support. Keeping an open transparent line of communication with stakeholders is important. Therefore, businesses can keep good relationships and build better trust with stakeholders.
Looking For Chemical Supply Chain Transparency?
Here at Ecolink, Inc we work to provide the utmost transparency about the situation of our supply chains and inventory. As a company, we work to find whatever ways possible to find the product that you need for your business. Having risk managers on staff here at Ecolink, we work constantly to make sure we have the right plans in place in case of emergencies.
Consistently as a company, we make sure to keep our website and social media platforms with the most updated information we can ensure you are aware of the status of the products we have.
For more information about how we are handling supply chain disruptions or questions about how we can help you find a product that has been disrupted by supply chains contact us here today! We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Ecolink Community Updates
Interested in more in the Ecolink Community? You can read one of our other community blogs here! Stay tuned for Ecolink Community blogs in the future by checking us out on social media! There you’ll be able to keep up with our latest community updates and blogs!
The Benefits of Green Concrete Remover
/in Tidal Washers Product Blogs/by Industrial DegreasersDefinition of Green Concrete Remover
Do you work in an industry that frequently uses concrete? If so, you know how difficult it is to remove unwanted concrete from surfaces once it has hardened. Green Concrete Remover is here to help! This acidic cleaning solution, primarily composed of glycolic acid (50%-60% by weight), effectively breaks down and removes hardened concrete from tools, trucks, scaffolding, and other hard surfaces.
How to Use Green Concrete Remover
To use Green Concrete Remover, follow these four simple steps:
Why Purchase Green Concrete Remover?
Green Concrete Remover possesses a number of beneficial features, such as:
Safety Precautions
Because Green Concrete Remover is an industrial-strength solution that is also extremely acidic (pH ? 1), it is important to follow the proper safety precautions when working with this product. Please refer to Green Concrete Barrier’s Safety Data Sheet for detailed instructions on the personal protective equipment that must be worn when using it, as well as other important safety instructions.
Contact Tidal Washers Today
Tidal Washers, a division of Ecolink, Inc., is a trusted supplier of commercial solvents and detergents (including Green Concrete Remover). Many of Tidal Washers’ products contain Eco-friendly alternatives to traditional chemicals that are hazardous to the environment and workers. All of our chemical solutions are also available in bulk sizes, such as 55-gallon drums, which cuts down on shipping costs. This not only saves your company money, but is better for the environment as well!
Have any questions? Want to learn more about Green Concrete Remover or any of our other products? Our team of chemists would be happy to assist you. Please contact Tidal Washers by calling 800-563-1305 or emailing info@tidalwashers.com. We look forward to helping you with your cleaning needs!
For further questions please contact the team at Ecolink here.
What Is The Millipore Test Standard?
/in Millipore/by Industrial DegreasersWhat is the Millipore test standard? The Millipore test standard is best explained by looking into the history behind Millipore. Millipore was established in 1954 as a filtration membrane manufacturing company. Pioneering the use of membrane technology across hundreds of applications, the Millipore Corporation became instrumental in defining standards for the testing of compounds, and after many years on continued use of their game changing filtration technology using membranes, the Millipore name became synonymous with gravimetric cleanliness testing. Today, gravimetric cleanliness testing and the Millipore Test Standards are considered the same thing.
In 2010, Merck, the well known German pharmaceutical company acquired Millipore Corporation and established EMD Millipore as it’s North American life sciences tools division, creating a market leader in bio-research and bio-production to many diverse industries. Today, most chemical manufacturers and providers use the Millipore test standard as a measuring stick for the quality of chemicals used for cleanliness testing. Ecolink, being a trusted and experienced chemical provider, is recognized as a provider of chemicals and chemical solutions that meet and exceed the Millipore Test Standard.
Ecolink makes buying Millipore testing chemicals in bulk easy, ensuring you have sufficient quantity on hand to perform your tasks as quickly and efficiently as possible.
The Benefits of depending on Ecolink for your Millipore Test Standard needs:
• Trained, qualified and field experienced chemists and technicians
• 30+ year industry knowledge and experience
• Wide variety of chemical solution choices
• Varied product quantities available (5-gallon and 55-gallon containers)
• Proper product safety, handling and storing procedures
• Eco-friendly alternatives
• Affordable pricing structures
• Bulk pricing
Are you seeking chemical products and solutions that meet or exceed Millipore Test Standards? Contact Ecolink here and speak to one of our expert chemists and learn about our range of especially designed products that offer you the cleaning efficiencies you demand.