Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
R
D
/E
T
ESEARCH
AND
EVELOPMENT
NGINEERING
ECHNOLOGY
Important base for chemical industry:
R&D spending for 2000 was over $250 billion.
Most of the R&D in the U.S. is funded and carried out by the chemical
industry.
High investment facilities required with modern (state-of-the-art)
scientific equipment.
R&D activities:
Basic chemical research (by trained chemists); much of this is done
in universities
Improve existing products (e.g., better quality)
Improve existing processes (by chemists and engineers), including
cost reductions
By-product disposal and utilization
Solution of environmental problems
The size of today's chemical industry is a result of research and development
(R&D) activities that generated new products and processes resulting in rapid
industry growth. Over the years, R&D emphasis shifted from basic research
aimed at new chemicals and their uses to improvement of existing products
and processes. Today, substantial R&D is directed toward solving problems
related to the environment and to satisfying governmental regulations.
