NATIONAL SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY FORUM – 57TH MEETING
Enhancing Australian chemical manufacture: Reversing the chemical deficit
National Measurement Laboratory, Sydney, 7 November 1996
The National Science and Industry Forum of the Australian Academy of Science held its 57th meeting at the National Measurement Laboratory at Lindfield in Sydney on 7 November 1996. This report summarises the papers delivered.
The Australian chemical industry plays a critical role in the Australian economy through direct sales of chemicals and by supply of chemicals to many other sectors of the economy. The industry has recently undergone extensive restructuring which has positioned Australia to compete in global markets through efficient use of our intellectual capability and our resource base. Australia is faced now however with a substantial deficit in its trade in chemicals.
For more information about the Forum, email eb@science.org.au.
Contents
Australia's balance-of-payments problem
The Secretary (Science Policy) of the Australian Academy of
Science, Dr Keith Boardman, welcomed participants to the 57th
National Science and Industry Forum and laid out the challenges
that confronted the participants.
Getting out there and having a go
Thirteen years ago the former Unichema Development Manager,
Dr Robert Killick, and his wife Judy bought the 50-year-old Victorian
Chemical Company. It was sink-or-swim. Now, with five times the
sales and booming export growth, it is a different story. Bob
thinks that, with the right approach, small and medium enterprises
can make big inroads on the chemical deficit.
Technology is the key
As Chief of the Division of Chemicals and Polymers within
the CSIRO at a time when it is increasingly orienting its research
to commercial purposes, Dr Tom Spurling is at the interface between
public sector research and industry. He feels that industry and
government must look closely at technology to have any chance
of redressing the chemical deficit otherwise Australia
will find itself importing both technology and products.
Victoria optimistic about attracting new investment
The Victorian Government is currently examining opportunities
for investment in the chemical, plastics and rubber industries.
Mr Richard Fowler, an industry specialist with Business Victoria,
described the details of a study being undertaken for the state
government by Stanford Research Institute.
High-value pharmaceuticals – a shining example, but still a way to go
Dr Graeme Blackman, Chair and Managing Director of the Institute
of Drug Technology Australia Limited, described his company's
progress from the consulting arm of a public educational institution
to a small, yet serious and ambitious player in the high-risk
business of developing the capacity for manufacturing active drug
substances in the pharmaceutical industry.
Industry wants a better investment environment
Mr Michael MacKellar, Chief Executive of the Plastics and
Chemicals Industries Association, presented the Forum with a wealth
of data from the association's imports study, and concluded with
a challenge for governments: they have to decide whether they
really want balanced trade and be prepared to offer investment
incentives to get it.
The role of government: Facilitating exports, encouraging investment
Mr Keith Croker, who heads the federal Department of Industry,
Science and Tourism's resource processing industries branch, provided
a perspective on issues the government is addressing and gave
a commitment to work with the sector in the future.
DuPont's commitment to research partnerships
Mr Leo Hyde, DuPont Australia's Research and Development Manager,
outlined what he sees as some of the basics of a good relationship
between a private company and public research institutions and
provided examples of his company's successful relationships with
two Australian research providers.
Don't look for tax concessions, go for grants
With the Federal Government committed to tax reform, KPMG
Chartered Accountants' plastics and chemicals group partner, MrRae
Vecchio, outlined possible changes he felt would improve the industry's
investment climate.
Discussion: Suggestions for action
The group discussions held as part of the Forum's afternoon
program came up with a series of points that were later reported
back to the final plenary session.
