Survey shows bright outlook for chemical profession

The chemical industry is undergoing some very major changes. But it is changing in ways that are challenging, exciting, and generally positive for members of the chemical profession. So concludes a study of trends in the chemical industry conducted this spring by ACS's Corporation Associates (CA). The study was developed at the request of ACS executive director John K Crum to aid the society's strategic planning efforts. The study also finds that the demand for chemically trained personnel probably will remain strong for the next five years. R&D budgets will gradually increase in terms of both real dollars and percentage of sales. And industrially funded research likely will become increasingly near-term, lower-risk, and bottom-line oriented. With the aid of ACS marketing personnel, a questionnaire was developed and sent to CA's almost 130 corporate members. Responses were received from more than 50 members, mostly from senior research executives. CA is the formal link between ACS and ...