CREDll 3 EITYAND GREENmG FORCES FOR THE CHEMICAL ADUSTRY

One of the central problems the world currently faces is environmental degradation. Research data have shown that the natural environment is in an alarming state. Ihe production of pollutants emissions and products and energy consumption needs to be reduced substantially. The role of indwtry is particulary viral in reaching this goal. Companies need to act in a pro-active and preventive way. There are definite signs of an about-tum in the way the top management of some companies think and act. Many business leaders, especially in the chemical industry, have stated in public that the environmental aspects of management should no longer be regarded as being restrictive to business practice, but as a natural part of their social responsibility to society and even as an opportunity to conquer new markets and to innovate.