BLOG: Making all the stuff the world needs in sustainable ways is our defining challenge

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Click here to see the latest blog post on Asian Chemical Connections by John Richardson.

All the things made from petrochemicals have hugely added to our quantity and quality of life from medical devices to food packaging, electronics, transportation and housing. The defining challenge for our industry is how to supply growth in demand for petrochemicals – which will be centred on the developing world – in sustainable ways.

Not all companies may be held to the same environmental standards. Companies which focus on “less is more” could lose out on growth opportunities.

We don’t know whether chemicals and mechanical recycling can be sufficiently scaled-up to meet demand.

Should the focus therefore instead be on stopping plastic rubbish leaking into the environment given that some 2bn people are said to lack access to rubbish-collection systems? Should the right approach also be focusing on new conventional refining-petrochemicals plants that are carbon positive? Or can the economic, technological and logistical hurdles in front of recycling be cleared?

What is certain, though, is that supply must be met. The developing world wants, and is obviously entitled to, the same standards of living we take for granted in the West.

Editor’s note: This blog post is an opinion piece. The views expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent those of ICIS.