Nova Chemicals pauses construction activities on projects in Ontario and Alberta

Following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Nova Chemicals has implemented several safety measures within its sites, including major cuts in construction activities. “We’re keeping our site-critical workers safe with enhanced protocols, and we’ve reduced all our construction activities [by] 90%, to only those most essential, says Todd Karran, CEO. The chemical industry has been designated an essential critical infrastructure in the US and an essential workplace in Canada. “Despite borders being closed to the north and south, we do not anticipate any issues with cross-border shipments at this time as trade is considered critical and distribution/supply chains in North America are open,” Karran says. The company’s manufacturing sites remain operational, and there are currently no impacts on timely delivery of products. The company has adjusted polyethylene (PE) and expandable polystyrene production to provide sufficient supply of resins for food packaging, medical supplies, and other high-demand goods.