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The Official Website of the State of West Virginia

West Virginia is the birthplace of petrochemicals

12/13/2021

Did you know that a small plant in Clendenin, West Virginia is where the petrochemical industry began? Petrochemicals are chemicals made from petroleum and natural gas.
To recognize the tremendous impact West Virginia and its citizens have had on the petrochemical industry as a whole, the American Chemical Society (ACS) honored Union Carbide’s foundation of the petrochemical industry with a National Historic Chemical Landmark (NHCL) in a ceremony in Clendenin, West Virginia, on Sept. 10, 2021. This landmark was made possible by the Kanawha Valley Section of the ACS, West Virginia State University, Union Carbide and the Curme family. Additionally, a scholarship has been set up in Dr. Crume’s honor to help students complete their STEM degree and support innovation.

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