Formulating New Bridges for the Next Decade of Chemistry

Print page


Ten Bridges to the Next Decade of Chemistry

Greg Babe, President and CEO
Bayer Corporation and Bayer MaterialScience LLC

Many are concerned that America’s chemical industry is rapidly becoming a “sunset” industry, with most new chemical facilities being built overseas. We have choices. We can remain trapped in the present and risk becoming irrelevant in the worldwide arena within a decade. Or, we can build bridges over the gaps that separate us from a productive future.

  1. We must do more to embed process, distribution and employee safety, facility security and environmental protection into our business processes. We must admit to our mistakes and follow up with corrective action. No excuses.

  2. Through continuous research, we need to advance our understanding of how our products affect human health and the environment.

  3. Plant employees can be our greatest advocates. We must keep them up to date on developments, programs and policies. Always. And we must encourage them to communicate with their neighbors “over the fence” or more formally through company-sponsored speakers bureaus, plant tours or other community events.

  4. We must secure real and potential allies. This requires building mutual understanding, trust and cooperation with key opinion leaders, non-government organizations and critics; listening to them and acting on what we hear.

  5. We must build public-private partnerships and coalitions to spur our industry’s growth.

  6. We must commit ourselves to sustainability in all its forms: economic, environmental and social.

  7. Our industry must stay ahead of legislation instead of being swept away by it. That means securing a place at the negotiating table early.

  8. We must promote science education and literacy. We need a steady supply of scientists, engineers, and innovators. We also need government and business leaders and journalists who understand science and all its implications.

  9. We need to bring our plant emergency communications into the 20th century. That includes using new channels of communications like social media. It makes direct and instant communications possible.

  10. We must start a public conversation and keep it going about who we are, what we do and how we improve the lives of every American.