Catalyst

The International Council of Chemical Associations’ (ICCA; Brussels) has released its inaugural review of the global chemical industry, highlighting the expansion of Responsible Care to 52 national associations and the promotion of the Responsible Care Global Charter. Other initiatives ICCA is supporting include the industry’s Global Product Strategy program to improve public awareness and confidence that chemicals are safely managed throughout their lifecycle, the long-range research initiative, and high-production volume testing program.

“We are building momentum for product stewardship and sustainable chemistry,” says Andrew Liveris, Dow Chemical chairman and CEO and ICCA president. Challenges including climate change, energy, and water resource scarcity, as well as other environmental matters represent “opportunities for our industry because the world is searching for sustainable, innovative solutions that can only be realized through the advances that our industry is uniquely positioned to deliver,” Liveris says.

ICCA plays a central role in the development of position statements and is the main channel of communication between the industry and international organizations including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP; Nairobi), the World Trade Organization (WTO; Geneva), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD; Paris).

Worldwide chemical industry revenues in 2006 were estimated at about €2.3 trillion ($3.24 trillion), including pharmaceuticals, which account for one-third of the figure, according to an ICCA report. Almost 45% of the value of the global chemical industry is traded, and more the 35% of this trade is intra-company in nature, ICCA says.

“The ICCA is committed to leading the international discourse on innovation, sustainable chemistry, performance, and the responsible management of chemicals,” says Jack Gerard, ACC president and CEO and ICCA secretary.

A strong ICCA-led dialogue on these matters is needed as the industry continues to globalize. Uniform industry standards are critical, particularly sharing best practices with high-growth developing markets including China, India, and the Mideast. As industry officials have long acknowledged, the sector is only as strong as its weakest link. The tragic consequences of disasters such as the 1984 methyl isocyanate leak in Bhopal, the 2005 benzene spill in China, and the 2005 Texas City, TX refinery explosion harm the reputation of the entire sector, not just the participants directly involved.