How has the chemicals industry changed in the aftermath of the pandemic and what is your vision for its near term future?
CJ: The last three years have significantly altered a number of things in the chemistry space, as the world relied on our response to the pandemic. Every aspect related to the vaccines’ development and dissemination has been supported by the innovation that our industry drives. Furthermore, supply chain resilience was an unexpected challenge that we had to deal with, especially in the U.S. where we needed to think of alternative ways to get products into the country. As a result, a principle focus of ours now is to reform the supply chain and start in-house manufacturing protocols. The U.S. is a huge agricultural and chemical producer so we will also need to reexamine our export processes.
MT: We are seeing sustainability emerging as a key driver for many of our members as there has been a demonstrable acceleration of commitment across our value chain.
Can you highlight some concrete examples of ways the chemistry industry can impact sustainability in agriculture?
CJ:
Chemistry is the science behind sustainability. Thirteen out of the total 17 UN sustainable development goals are impacted by chemistry and plastics. Ending hunger and addressing climate change issues also pertain to our domain since there are so many applications where we can contribute.
JB: The environment has forced us to accelerate sustainability and our partner companies are trying to support this journey through using more easily recyclable materials, reducing greenhouse gases, and bringing new technologies to the market.
MT: We think about sustainability as a modern phenomenon but the truth is that this theme has always loomed over us for the past 150 years, as pasteurization, vaccines and fertilizers are the building blocks that allowed us to transform the world. As we get into this new chapter of sustainability, the discussion shifts towards planetary boundaries and understanding the science behind the climate system.
How do you see the future of crop protection from the standpoint of pesticides? Is vertical farming the way forward?
MT: The revolution of hydroponics is fascinating, and, as with any new innovation, we need to consider the total environmental impacts, including the embedded carbon along the full lifecycle, as well as the energy required to artificially light and water the operation. The main challenge of crop treatments is to have an effective, consistent and sustainable distribution process. And ACC member companies are innovating to develop products to assist in these processes. For example, Nouryon developed a biodegradable, lower toxicity, non-persistent dispersion system that will hopefully change the paradigm.
Looking to the future, high-definition chemistry is the new frontier in agriculture. Agrivoltaics are a combination of solar capture and agriculture in the same terrain, and their widespread use will change the combination of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides that are employed now.
CJ: Sustainable farming practices are not the same around the world. For example, in developing countries where there is no infrastructure, we need to have a different approach in order to help those economies grow. Vertical farming is seen as an alternative to chemistry, but it is an expensive option where a whole ecosystem has to be created in order for the structure to work properly. Ultimately, this option will also have its own environmental footprint so we would be, in fact, attacking the same problem with a different type of technology. Educating consumers about the use and role of pesticides in producing food is vital because only with this understanding comes the ability to buy and choose the right products.
How is the American industry coping with the fertilizers shortage prompted by the war in Ukraine?
CJ: Russia and Ukraine are significant players in the production of fertilizers, but the U.S. has been able to respond with more production. However, supply chain shortages remain a challenge that needs to be solved once and for all.
What are the main goals that you want to achieve at ACC in the next three to five years?
CJ: Replacing coal production reduced our country's emissions over the past decade and our plan is to leverage this energy dominance in the years to come. Feeding the world while also enhancing sustainability is the second point on our to-do list as any climate solutions out there have its bases in chemistry and plastics. Last but not least, we are interested in modernizing the regulation of chemicals in the U.S., especially related to the swiftness with which we move in the crop protection space.
MT: As society is resetting assumptions about what should be the priorities, we need to continue to provide forceful demonstrations and breakthroughs in the chemistry space. Our purpose is to support a sphere of co-creation in this green economy.
JB: Since we are solution providers and innovators at heart, our mission is to continue to support the industry and our customers while also working on securing the needed workforce to fill the forecasted 1 million worker gap in the future.
