DuPont Beaumont, Texas

This petrochemical plant makes mostly acrylonitrile, a feedstock for a variety of acrylic plastics; aniline, which is used in polyurethane; and the chlorosulfonated polyethylene branded as Hypalon, which is in rubbery plasics, like those found in rubber rafts, pond liners, and wire insulation. DuPont is one of the largest American chemical companies, inventing materials and generating famous name brands, such as Tyvek, Lycra, nylon, Teflon, and neoprene. Based in Delaware, the company has nine plants in Texas, all along the Gulf Coast, including some of the largest petrochemical complexes in the world. In 2005, Lucite International assumed operation of DuPont's acrylonitrile facility.