American Chemistry Council more focused on advocacy

09 June 2005 16:28  [Source: ICIS news]

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, West Virginia (CNI)--The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is a more focused operation after a year of introspection topped off with the naming of a chief executive, according to officials at the ACC’s annual meeting.

 

Advocacy is now the primary focus for the organisation, according to Mike Campbell, chairman of the ACC board and chief executive of Arch Chemicals.

 

Campbell pointed to the recent success in getting natural gas legislation through the Senate as evidence of ACC’s renewed commitment to advocacy.

 

“Specific language and focus in the bills shows us we have influenced the process,” added ACC executive vice president Charles Van Vlack.

 

Plant security is the next legislative hurdle for the ACC. Nova Chemicals chief executive Jeff Lipton noted that US chemical companies have invested $2bn (Euro1.6bn) in plant security measures since the 11 September, 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. In addition, every member plant has completed a security review as part of the Responsible Care programme.

 

Incoming ACC chief executive Jack Gerard, who begins his job 1 July, spoke of his enthusiasm for advocacy and noted that ACC programmes such as Responsible Care, the Long Range Research Initiative and the organisation’s Essential2 reputation initiative are important elements in the advocacy arena.

 

Essential2 is in full-scale development and is set to launch in September, according to ACC officials. In fact, elements of the campaign focusing on employees are already underway.

 

On the business front, industry leaders acknowledged the recent slowdown in demand but were still optimistic for the remainder of the year. Most executives believe the downturn was a pause brought on by high inventory levels and a tightening of credit in China. In fact, Dow Chemical president and chief executive Andrew Liveris said business fundamentals are still sound.

 

The ACC annual meeting continues through Friday.

By: Robert Brown
+1 713 525 2653

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