Innovation at the Plants

Government investment in Texas City also encouraged innovation. Southport, Pan American and Republic used processes so new that only a few research scientists possessed the necessary knowledge to oversee them.¹ But new training techniques - a core staff of skilled employees was trained at each plant - and the relative simplicity of mass-production methods helped stem the need for long apprenticeships.²

In 1942, the Pan American Texas City refinery was the first to use a fluid catalytic cracking process in its 20-story catalytic cracker. This efficiently produced 100 % high-octane aviation fuel. That gave the plant the ability to produce higher quality fuel in larger amounts at a faster rate. Pan American's method of refining was soon adopted by all other aviation fuel refineries aiding the war effort.³