Manufacturers Getting Chemicals Wrong? Here's What to Do

Most chemical manufacturers struggle to scale their formulas without risking safety violations, innovation delays, or major financial losses.When your clear coat turns green—or your plant fails after one day of operations—it’s more than a glitch. It’s a sign that your chemical processes aren’t scale-ready. In this revealing episode, chemical engineer and industry veteran Joel T. Shertok, founder of Process Industries Consultants, joins host Bernie Franzgrote to unpack decades of chemical innovation, regulatory war stories, and R&D breakthroughs.From chewing gum formulation to clean-tech startup mentorship, Joel breaks down how to:✅ Avoid hidden pitfalls in scale-up✅ Spot regulatory red flags early (especially with PFAS and “forever chemicals”)✅ Understand the human + tech balance in green innovation✅ Choose when to buy vs. build new solutions✅ Navigate EPA, OSHA, and Health Canada challenges✅ Innovate faster—without breaking complianceYou'll also hear how a 1-part-per-million impurity nearly cost millions in business, why humility is essential for chemical startups, and how to calculate real-world ROI from chemical process investments. 🎧 Who This Podcast Is For: Chemical manufacturers, green tech innovators, industrial operations leads, process engineers, biotech startup founders, and R&D teams scaling physical products.🎁 What You'll Gain: Real-world strategies for navigating regulation, saving R&D costs, and creating competitive advantage through smart chemical process decisions. 📌 Key Topics Covered: • The cost of scale-up mistakes (and how to prevent them)• Real-life R&D pivots: from green coatings to soft gum• Startup myths about manufacturing speed• What makes “forever chemicals” such a long-term threat• Why testing time matters more than testing tools• Chewing gum, semiconductors, and sticky success formulas 📲 Guest Info & Resources• Joel T. Shertok on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelshertok/• Website: https://processindconsultants.com/• Free PDF guide: The Art of Scale-Up – Request via Joel’s website 🎙️ Supporting People• Host: Bernie Franzgrote• Co-host: Wayne Pratt• Podcast: Knack 4 Business• YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/oIANdt5fFtM 🤝 Acknowledgements• Carl Richards from Podcast Solutions Made Simple• Fred Crouch from Property Wizard• Jovan Strika from @Hive• Melanie Webber – Strategic Business Partner 💼 Sponsors That Fit Our Listeners• Canada Growth Network – CRM + networking for SMBs & solopreneurs👉 https://tinyurl.com/3s5d3ayv• WebIndexer – Make your website a 24/7 sales assistant👉 https://tinyurl.com/yav4edf5• East Trade Winds – Free, high-trust networking that works👉 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlf-msrzktGdz-UTwX8Tv6CK5Lu3tacGI9 📬 Want to connect with us or Joel?📩 Reach us at [e-mail]🌐 Visit: https://knack4business.com/📺 Watch the full interview on YouTube 👉 https://youtu.be/oIANdt5fFtM💬 Comment, share your thoughts, or tag someone who needs this episode! Disclaimer: Please note that the Knack 4 Business podcast episodes are meant solely for educational and general informational purposes. The information and opinions contained within are not intended to be professional advice on any subject matter. The thoughts, views, and opinions expressed by the participants are their own beliefs and do not represent the views of the podcast hosts or any affiliated organizations.It is important to note that this podcast is not a replacement for consulting with certified experts in your area who possess knowledge of your unique situation. The hosts of the podcast, along with any participants or affiliated groups, do not take responsibility for any actions taken or not taken based on the information presented in this episode.It is highly recommended that individuals seek guidance from their advisors in fields such as accounting, law, or other pertinent areas prior to undertaking any actions or making decisions that may impact their financial, legal, or other aspects of life. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.