01/17/2025

Texas Ports Association releases new economic impact study

BIC Magazine | January 9, 2025

Texas Ports Association releases new economic impact study

Texas Ports contribute more than $713.9 billion in economic activity for the State accounting for 28% of Texas’ gross domestic product (GDP), further advancing Ports as a catalyst for state economic growth and job generation, according to a recent economic impact study by the Texas Ports Association (TPA).

TPA’s most recent economic impact study was conducted by Martin & Associates, using data from fiscal year 2023. Since the association’s last report, also conducted by Martin & Associates in 2018, Texas Ports experienced statewide growth in tonnage, revenue generated and job growth.

Total tonnage handled by public and private marine terminals increased by 130.3 million tons. As a result of this growth, 2.5 million jobs are supported by the 2023 marine cargo activity within the state of Texas, an increase of 728,741 jobs since 2018. Total economic value of the Texas marine cargo activity grew from $449.6 billion in 2018 to $713.9 billion they boast today.

“The Martin study paints a clear picture of what a great job Texas ports do as an economic engine and creator of jobs for the entire state. Texas ports and the movement of goods to and from ports impact jobs and economic activity in all 254 counties in Texas. Our ports support Texas based manufacturers, defense, energy movement, cruise and most of the consumer goods found in every Texas household.” Said Larry Kelley, (TPA President and Port Director/CEO of Port of Port Arthur.”

Job growth by Ports is further amplified by an increase in average annual salary received by directly employed workers from $67,611 in 2018 to $81,845 in 2023, also generating $17.1 billion in state and local taxes supported by the port activity. The most impressive statistic, Kelley said, is that Ports are more than a method to move goods, Texas Ports have become a spending multiplier. For every $1 invested in Texas Ports, $53.46 is returned to the State of Texas.

“There is an incredible return on investment for all of Texas. Port growth does not happen in a vacuum; we understand that we impact the lives of all Texans and the nation. We also are aware of the challenges we face where other states and nations are making massive investments in port infrastructure. For Texas and Texas ports to remain strong, strategic capital investments are needed.” Kent Britton, CEO, Port of Corpus Christi.

An interesting Texas impact is the role of cruise passenger activity as well as commercial and marina activity. In 2023, 354 cruise vessel calls carrying 2.97 million passengers created 4,547 direct, induced and indirect jobs, generating $291.3 million on income, $732.5 million in business revenue, and $25.3 million in local and state taxes. Commercial and Marina activity brought in an additional 300 direct, induced and indirect jobs earning approximately $15.1 million in total personal income and generated an estimated $70.2 million in business revenue. $1.3 million of state and local tax revenue collected.

Redefining Display Technology for Automotive Windshields

Plastics Today | Stephen Moore | Jan. 6, 2025

Eastman, Covestro, and Ceres showcase advanced holographic transparent displays at CES 2025 in Las Vegas.

Head-up displays (HUDs) show useful information, such as speed and turn-by-turn directions, on the lower part of the windshield, where it can be seen without the driver needing to take his or her eyes off the road. Automakers and their suppliers are looking for advanced solutions for next-generation HUDs to increase user experience and safety. German polymer materials manufacturer Covestro, US specialty materials company Eastman, and Scotland’s Ceres Holographics, a provider of holographic optical elements for displays, have joined forces to redefine such displays. The partners signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the commercial production of the cutting-edge Holographic In-Plan Transparent Display (HIPTD) — a laminated hologram technology that allows multiple head-up displays on a single windshield.

Technology overcomes limitations of traditional HUD systems

The new displays overcome the performance, size, and geometric limitations of traditional HUD systems, enabling the practical and scalable implementation of multiple displays in one windshield and elsewhere in side-light glazing. Proof of concepts developed with OEMs will be showcased at CES 2025 in Las Vegas from Jan. 7 to 10.

The MoU builds on years of collaboration, leveraging each company’s technologies to manufacture holographic-enabled transparent HUDs for the automotive market. It will facilitate investigating the steps needed to set up and establish the necessary facilities and manufacturing capacity, ensuring an efficient, market-ready supply chain to meet the planned production timelines of OEMs wishing to adopt the technology. The partnership aims to accelerate the commercialization of this HUD solution, with Eastman leveraging its relationships with automotive OEMs and Tier One suppliers.

A proven solution

In 2024, Ceres and Eastman demonstrated the latest holographic transparent display HUDs to OEMs in Europe, the United States, and China. These HUDs featured multiple transparent displays within a single, fully laminated windshield, each measuring up to 400 by 300 mm (16 by 12 in.). Custom-designed holographic optical elements (HOEs) were incorporated into a single sheet of Bayfol HX cellulose triacetate (TAC)m film, laminated with Eastman’s newly developed interlayer stack, achieving the industry's largest field of view. 

This achievement was enabled by combining Covestro’s expertise in photopolymer films; Ceres’ digital mastering and HoloFlekt roll-to-roll replication system, which produces finished films up to 1400-mm (4.6 ft) wide; and Eastman’s solutions to encapsulate functional films into automotive-approved laminates. 

“This agreement solidifies our collaboration and moves us closer to delivering a full-stack solution for innovative display implementations,” said Hemant Dandekar, Eastman's global commercial director of automotive for advanced materials, interlayers. “With the building blocks and relationships in place, we’re excited to define a path to viable holographic transparent displays globally.”

Truly transparent projection displays

“Our Bayfol HX enables next-generation truly transparent projection displays for windshields while meeting high automotive safety requirements,” said Günther Walze, head of holographic lightguiding at Covestro. “With the necessary establishment of hologram mastering and scalable mass-production replication equipment by Ceres, combined with Eastman’s windshield lamination technology, this innovation is ready for deployment to end customers.”

“We have been working closely with global OEMs for years and are now at a tipping point for adoption and scaling of this display technology,” said Andy Travers, CEO of Ceres Holographics. “This is being driven by a combination of a desire for more safety-oriented and intuitive information display features; pressure from safety regulators to reduce driver distractions; and the accelerated pace of innovation and associated need for differentiation among a new generation of car makers.”

A fully functional transparent display windshield demonstrator laminate will be showcased at CES 2025 in both the Eastman/Ceres Holographics demonstration suite at the Venetian Hotel - Murano suite, #3201A, and Covestro’s booth in the north hall, stand 8311.