Five Minutes with Andy Harris, CEO of Syrgis

What are your major concerns within your market over the next two years?

The rate of economic recovery in both North America and Europe is certainly a factor that will have a major influence on our businesses. That being said, we anticipate growth comparable to what we have achieved over the past several years, in spite of the economic situation. Syrgis’ growth results from the value our specialized chemistries and technology bring to our customers, in the form of increased profitability, greater efficiency, improved quality and improved regulatory or safety compliance. We also expect our geographic expansion strategy (in areas such as Russia, Saudi Arabia, South America and China) to continue to drive growth. Our strong value proposition combined with our geographic growth strategy will allow us to continue to achieve our growth targets.

Among the challenges the industry faces, which do you think are the most pressing?

The most pressing challenge is how to achieve strong economic recovery with sustainable job growth in the US and Europe, while maintaining ongoing economic stability in China. This is balanced with managing the ever increasing and rapidly expanding regulations that many times are not rational or based on sound science. These regulations are often counter-productive toward realizing the economic and societal benefits the chemical industry brings to the well-being of mankind throughout the world.

And what do you believe are the most creative solutions?

We must develop a more streamlined and rational regulatory approach to oversight. It has always been difficult to combine science and politics. As an example of this need, recently the composites industry had to petition the United States government "...to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a scientific peer review of the 12th Report on Carcinogens determinations related to formaldehyde and styrene. Included in the review should be all relevant, peer-reviewed research related to both formaldehyde and styrene." Clearly, this should have been done in the first place, rather than arbitrarily identifying styrene as a “reasonably anticipated carcinogen,” a position based more on politics than scientific fact. Whenever regulations are considered, peer reviewed science and rational overall assessment must also be a key part of the process.

What should be the common goals within the industry and/or marketplace?

The industry must continue to operate with a focus on outstanding safety and environmental performance, while the marketplace and government streamline the process for expanded manufacturing and innovation.

What is one relevant question (and your answer) that you believe no one is addressing adequately?

Q: What must we do to improve the public and regulatory perception of the chemical industry, and the critical role that manufacturing plays for future generations?

A: We must improve the image of the chemical industry with key stakeholders such as regulators, politicians and the general public. The chemical industry arguably makes the single greatest daily impact on the well-being of mankind through improved water, food, energy, human health, goods, safety and comfort. Most products that improve and ensure the quality of life are made possible because of the chemical industry! We must ensure our society understands the key role that chemistry plays in their futures, and the importance of properly educating the needed workforce. We must ensure our educational system is assertively preparing the next generation of chemists, biologists, engineers, chemical operators and maintenance technicians, etc. We need our science and engineering classrooms to be filled to capacity once again, and it to be “cool” and the “right thing to do” to be in the sciences. The world depends on it