Dr. Willem Huisman

A Wake-Up Call for Germany’s Economic Landscape BASF's decision to reduce its presence in Germany is symptomatic for the overall industry landscape and I find it deeply concerning. High energy costs, burdensome regulations, and a lack of political support for the industry are the primary factors driving their decision. This situation highlights the broader challenges facing Germany as a competitive business location. We need to urgently address these issues to ensure that Germany remains an attractive hub for industrial activity and Innovation.

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Why you should consider a replacement for PFAS polymers? According to ChatGPT, PFAS polymers, though effective in various applications, pose significant environmental and health risks. They persist in the environment indefinitely, accumulating in ecosystems and potentially harming wildlife and humans. Additionally, some studies have linked PFAS exposure to adverse health effects, including developmental issues and certain cancers. Therefore, exploring alternatives that are safer and more sustainable is crucial for mitigating these risks. Like to learn how and what are the options? https://lnkd.in/e2cBcD-q

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Diversity Drives Innovation Potential A recent @CHEManager article highlighted the rising number of women leaders in the German chemical industry. While progress is being made, it also revealed a key challenge - the tenure of female executives tends to be shorter than their male counterparts. At Covestro, we recognize that true innovation stems from diverse perspectives. Diversity goes beyond just metrics - it's a catalyst for sustainable growth and forward-thinking strategies, as gender-diverse leadership teams are more likely to drive sustainability goals. We are committed to nurturing all talent and ensuring leaders can excel regardless of gender: 24% of our upper management is female, targeting 40% across the company by 2029 Promoting career development initiatives to support long-term contributions Fostering an inclusive culture where diverse viewpoints thrive Diversity drives our full innovation potential. This #PrideMonth, let's continue championing inclusion in all its forms to shape a resilient future for our industry. How have diverse perspectives driven innovation at your organization? #Leadership #Diversity #Innovation #Sustainability #ChemicalIndustry #WomenInLeadership

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Breaking through Unconscious Bias - Another enlightening Bias Buster session is in the books! The most dangerous bias is the belief that we are not biased ourselves. Therefore we Evonik take bolder actions! ✊ 🚀 We're not just addressing or reflecting the topic, we're actively reveal our biases by bringing together our future leaders and our top management. Again, a diverse group of future leaders came together to de-bias a real business issue in our agile format ‘Bias Buster”, ensuring that we're viewing our challenges and opportunities through a multifaceted lens. It allows us to identify any blind spots and ensure that we're considering all angles as we move forward. This time we had the privilege of engaging in a thought-provoking discussion on the topic of the #CircularEconomy, a subject that is not only timely but also critical for our sustainable future. A special shout-out to Lauren Schulte Kjeldsen and Nina Fechler for bringing up the topic and Matthias Hölzle for managing a brilliant round of conversation.   Let's continue and walk the talk together to improve our decision making! Already curious who will be next..... #DiversityInAction #TrueLeadership #BeyondBias #FollowUsBeyond Picture generated through Copilot with Bing on March 15, 2024, with the prompt: Bias in Action. Why Evidence does not always change minds .

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Attending the EPCA Conference in Berlin this week with a focus on sustainability and the environment, reinforced how corporate leadership today demands more than steering a company towards profitability. It calls for a profound understanding of our role in shaping the very fabric of society. Here's what I've learned: 1/ We must guide young leaders to look beyond just quarterly reports and immediate gains. The real challenge? Teaching them to consider long-term, multi-stakeholder impacts. Every decision we make ripples through time, affecting not just our bottom line, but our communities, environment, and future generations. 2/ The line between business and social impact is blurring—and that's challenging but also exciting. Our responsibility is to show emerging leaders how to leverage their business acumen for responsible growth and social good. 3/ There are no easy answers when balancing the need for short term profitability with long term sustainability. Knee jerk actions around sustainability will do more damage than good. It's critical to find bold but pragmatic and science based solutions to advance. 4/ As corporate leaders, we're uniquely positioned to influence more than just our sectors. We have the platform, resources, and networks to address society's most pressing challenges. This isn't just an opportunity—it's a responsibility. Last week's tributes to Ratan Tata and the man he was --- should make us question what kind of legacy we choose to co-create. Will we be remembered solely for our business achievements, or for how we used our influence to shape a better world? #business #legacy #service

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Part of the EUs Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, first introduced in 2020, includes a zero-tolerance approach to non-compliance. In fact, enforcement is one of the three pillars of the CSS. Two initiatives recently announced by ECHA (the EUs chemical regulatory authority) give teeth to this promise. ECHA runs annual enforcement projects focused on different areas. They have recently confirmed that REF-14 will enforce the requirement to classify and label hazardous mixtures. Specifically, they will be looking at products that are well-known to contain hazardous substances, such as nicotine products, or fragrance products such as air fresheners or candles. Inspectors will be examining packaging and child safety, poison centre notifications (PCNs) and SDS. This project will run from 2025, but inspections are expected in 2026. ECHA also announced that their next pilot enforcement project will be focused on Only Representative (OR) compliance for registered imported substances. Inspectors will check tonnages and other records, such as SDS. If you export products to the EU, now is the time to make sure all your ducks are in line. Reach out to me for help. 🦆 🦆 🦆 #productstewardship #chemicalcompliance #safetydatasheets #hazardcommunication #EUREACH

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🚀 Strategy launch - and then ❓    ❕ Over the past weeks, I have had very interesting and eye-opening discussions with several colleagues about BASF's new #winningways #strategy. The colleagues came from different regions and cultures and had very different backgrounds and roles within BASF. It was very surprising to me how different the #content of the strategy was perceived in the different organisations, regions and countries - even though everyone was listening to the exact same town hall meeting and receiving the same informational slide decks. Each organisation focused almost exclusively on what will be different for them in the future.   💡 On second thought, this seems very logical and human to me now: of course I also filtered out what was most relevant to me. However, I have somehow forgotten how selective my brain is in this respect. 😉   💬 🗨 That is why I really like our board's approach of starting with a global #communication session, but then continuing the communication with discussions in much smaller groups, focusing on specific aspects of the strategy that are most important for the respective organisation and - most important - to allow #directconversations between employees and senior leadership.   ❓ What has been your experience of strategy launch and communication? What were your #bestpractices ❓

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We often hear that recycling plastics does not work. Here we see the proof that end-of-life (post-consumer) engineering plastic (in this case polycarbonate) is transformed into HIGH QUALITY material - fit for reuse in high-end products. This is a huge step forward and demonstrates the commitment of the plastics industry to develop technologies and know-how in developing a #circulareconomy FACT CHECK: collecting, sorting, cleaning and converting post-consumer plastics and returning them to the market has major benefits: 1. New plastic does not need to be produced 2. The use of fossil resources is reduced 3. CO2e emissions are reduced 4. Greenhouse gasses are reduced 5. #climatechange is reduced 6. Pollution is reduced Congratulations to Covestro for working so hard in developing this solution which contributes to the plastics industry in becoming #fullycircular 👏♻️👏♻️ #alwaysrecycle #sustainablesolutions #circulareconomy

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I had the privilege of hosting a webinar by INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHEMICAL ASSOCIATIONS, alongside esteemed panels: Professor Dieter Stapf from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Maurizio Crippa from GR3N SA, and Melanie Bower from ExxonMobil. Together, we delved deep into the realm of Chemical Recycling Technologies and their pivotal role in fostering a Circular Economy for Plastics. Our discussion traversed a multitude of crucial topics, ranging from the intricacies of chemical recycling technologies and processes to invaluable insights on depolymerization and pyrolysis technology. We also explored the indispensable role of policy in facilitating the scaling up of chemical recycling, crucial for combating plastic waste pollution on a global scale. The session was not merely about disseminating information; it was about empowering individuals and organizations with the knowledge to catalyze tangible change. By shedding light on the potential of chemical recycling, we aim to revolutionize waste management practices and steer towards a sustainable future. I believe that by fostering a collaborative approach and embracing innovation, we can expedite the scaling up of chemical recycling initiatives. Together, let's embark on this journey towards a circular economy where waste is minimized, resources are maximized, and our planet thrives. Join me in exploring the boundless possibilities of chemical recycling and let's pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future. Watch the recording to delve deeper into the transformative potential of chemical recycling! #ChemicalRecycling #CircularEconomy #PlasticWaste #Innovation #Sustainability #GlobalPolicy https://lnkd.in/gfZxeTfz

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Great initiative from Dutch minister Vivianne Heijnen to address the imbalance between renewable carbon incentives for the energy sector and the chemicals sector together with France, Czech republic and Ireland in the joint statement 'A call for a European Sustainable Carbon Policy Package'. The call is focusing on three key pillars: (1) Market creation creating a market pull for sustainable-carbon based products; (2) Availability of sustainable carbon (which is likely to be scarcer and more expensive than fossil resources) and (3) Product regulation and support for innovation to help create a viable market in the EU and promote a level playing field. Let's all join forces to end the lock-in of the current fossil-based resources and together develop a sustainable and resilient future for the European chemical industry! #Corbion #Circulareconomy

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This article by Beatriz Santos in Plastics News illustrates the challenges facing the chemical recycling industry: there are still many uncertainties involved in developing and scaling up such technologies, and this is only to be expected. But in this case, there are also regulatory uncertainties, which I believe are partly caused by pressure from anti-plastics lobbies. In my opinion, the greatest difficulty remains finding the right sources of plastic, without dipping into the sources destined for mechanical recycling, and to do this we need to improve the collection of plastics... because the material to be recycled does exist somewhere, doesn't it? #flexiblepackaging #circularity #recycling #chemicalrecycling

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Watch and hear from Laura how we tackle the manufacturing of nucleic acids. Reach out if you are interested! It is our pleasure to discuss your project!

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We need CO2 reduction all along the value chain to really achieve #NetZero2050. Events like this are important to connect, to collaborate and work together towards this common goal.

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𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗽 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 & 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 In the current issue of the Speciality Chemicals Magazine, my colleagues Franziska Heck and Artur Gantarev discuss the development of #preciousmetal-based carbon microspheres #catalysts for the #pharmaindustry. 👩‍🔬Efficiency and environmental impact are top priorities in chemical production processes. To make chemical processes more efficient and thus greener, the right catalyst has to be selected in combination with the right reactor type. For pharmaceutical production in particular, the move from traditional powder-based to shaped catalysts offers numerous advantages. 💡 Precious metal-based carbon microsphere catalysts combine the advantages of powder (very high BET surface areas) with the positive properties of a stable bulk material (a high crushing strength). 🔬 Platinum- and palladium-loaded microsphere catalysts exhibit the following properties: ➡️ Up to 2.5 wt% precious metal loading (Pt or Pd) ➡️ PM surface area 0.4 – 3 m²/g ➡️ Catalyst pH between 4 - 6 They have the potential to bridge the gap between batch and continuous production processes in the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries. Will you be Chemspec Europe - Int. Exhibition for Fine & Speciality Chemicals? Artur will give a presentation and delve deeper in the topic (📆19. June 2024 – 🕒14:00 - 📍 Royal Society of Chemistry Lecture Theatre). Don’t miss it. And don't forget to visit Heraeus Precious Metals booth – the #HeraeusCatalysts team is looking forward to meeting you and discussing the latest trends in catalysis. See you there!

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WACKER's brand new mRNA Competence Center in Halle, Germany Chapter 5/5: This one I repost both as proud responsible for our business in ASIA, but primarily as human being. Watching this story unfold is just a great reminder of the power of humans working with a strong vision & purpose. This new state-of-art mRNA Competence Center is Real-World-Evidence for that! Follow the link below and register to make use of the unique chance to participate of the Scientific Symposium and get a privileged sneak-preview of the production facility. I assure you, you will be amazed by the site itself, but even more by the quality & expertise of the people working there day-in-day-out to help you bring YOUR mRNA medicine to patients in need. #BIO2024 #BIOKorea #BIOJapan #BIOJapan #Innovation #mRNA #Biotech #Biologics #Biopharma

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#CMI0424: Strategy & Management Circular Solutions: The Journey to Net Zero Is a Collective Effort The path to a sustainable, net-zero future for the chemical industry is paved with challenges – and also opportunities. At the recent Sustainable Chemicals Expo & Conference in Cologne, leaders from BASF, LyondellBasell, Covestro, and the Global Impact Coalition discussed how collaboration among competitors can drive the sector toward circularity and reducing carbon emissions. The panel, moderated by Charlie Tan, CEO of the Global Impact Coalition, emphasized the transformative potential of industry-wide cooperation, the role of innovation, and the systemic changes required to achieve lasting impact. Matthias Scheibitz, Head of Sustainability Strategy at BASF Performance Materials, outlined four major challenges facing the chemical industry on its journey to net zero: investment, renewable energy, legal frameworks, and collaboration. “The green #transformation will not come for free,” said Scheibitz, highlighting the significant capital expenditure required for new technologies such as water electrolysis to produce CO2-free hydrogen, electrically heated steam cracking furnaces or industrial-scale heat pumps. “We also need renewable energy at competitive prices to decarbonize these technologies, particularly in Europe, where availability in sufficient quantities is a major issue.” He emphasized the urgency of regulatory clarity, especially for chemical recycling and its acceptance as a contribution to recycled content quotas, which is critical to closing the loop on plastic waste. “Our customers won’t buy chemically recycled products unless there is certainty in the legal framework,” he noted. (...) An exclusive article from Amanda Martin, Communications Lead, Global Impact Coalition, Geneva, Switzerland, in the upcoming December issue of CHEManager International summarizes key topics discussed by the panel, such as the transformative potential of industry-wide cooperation, the role of innovation, and the systemic changes required to achieve lasting impact. https://lnkd.in/eDDjPnru

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Trying to achieve net zero circularity alone is like rowing a ship 🛳️ with 1 person … you won’t get very far very fast! 🐌 ➡️ Check out our recent article in CHEManager International on how the Global Impact Coalition practices collective innovation to advance tangible solutions to our pressing industry sustainability challenges. ♻️ The article shares insights from a recent panel discussion with Global Impact Coalition members from Covestro, BASF and LyondellBasell along with our own CEO Charlie Tan. 🎤 Together we can advance sustainability!

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📢Be sure to tune into the last #EUClustersTalks of the summer - "Advancing the Transition: Key developments from the chemical industry"🧪 🗓️10 July | 8:30 – 9:45 CET 📍Online The talk will cover: 📌 How the EU's digital and green transformations spark change in the chemical industry and other industrial ecosystems 📌 Challenges faced by the chemical industry, including sustainability, access to critical resources & supply chain security 📌 Progress made in the sector since the 2023 European Commission Transition Pathway for the Chemical Industry 📌 The pivotal role that clusters play in supporting innovation and a shift towards a sustainable, resilient economy 📝Register before 9 July👉 https://lnkd.in/e7CGXkrc

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