When stay-at-home orders were issued in March, Deer Park’s  chemical plants, refinery, and related businesses continued to operate because the chemical business is deemed a Critical Infrastructure Sector by the US Department of Homeland Security.  At an early June video meeting, Deer Park Community Advisory Council (DPCAC) community members asked each member plant to explain why its work is essential.

  • OxyVinyls – Produces materials used in construction, water piping, medical applications including blood bags, IV tubing, water treatment chemicals, and disinfectants.
  • Shell – Refines a variety of fuels for road, marine, and air transportation, as well as chemicals used in hand sanitizers and other personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Texas Molecular – Receives and deepwells hazardous wastewater from industry.
  • Valvoline – Produces motor oil for essential transportation activities.
  • Vopak – Stores products for the chemical industry, including materials that go into the production of sanitizers, PPE, fuels, and more.
  • Dow – Manufactures unique monomers used in the production of acrylic sheets and shields being used to protect workers. Also vital to the diaper, food packaging, and hand sanitizer industries.
  • Evonik – Makes additives for motor oils used in hydraulic equipment like agricultural equipment vital to the food supply chain.
  • GEO Specialty Chemicals – Produces chemicals vital to pharmaceuticals like acetaminophen and water treatment products. Provides the City of Houston with chemicals for water treatment.
  • Hexion – Manufactures solid and liquid resins used in coatings, including food packaging, aerospace, automotive, and oil and gas.
  • ITC – Provides bulk liquid storage for local facilities.
  • Lubrizol – Produces oil additives needed for transportation, including first responders, as well as chemicals for hand sanitizers, medical tubing, and face shields.

Asked if Deer Park plants are making things in high demand due to COVID-19, several plants mentioned making the ingredients or materials for hand sanitizer, Plexiglass shields, personal protective equipment, disinfectant, pharmaceuticals, hand soap, acetone, and ethylene for detergents.