After four busy days of business sessions and meetings by members of the global chemical business community, the EPCA 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting has concluded with its annual closing lunch featuring Herman Van Rompuy, former President of the European Council (2009-2014) who outlined his views on the future with all the influences globalisation is having on the world, and what that means for Europe.

The EPCA 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting was, as usual, punctuated by several Business Sessions covering the key issues of concern for the industry both today and tomorrow amongst the thousands of individual meetings that have taken place between delegates from the EPCA company members of the global chemical business community.

European Youth Debating Competition
On Sunday, EPCA hosted the Final debate of the European Youth Debating Competition (EYDC), which brought together 30 pre-selected winners from across 9 European countries. The 16-19-year-old students debated around the theme "How would you imagine your future – with or without the petrochemical industry and plastics?", thereby challenging both public perceptions and the industry. The students delivered well thought out speeches with innovative arguments, astonishing an audience of industry experts.

Business Sessions
The opening business session on Monday morning tackled the theme “50 Years of Global Chemical Industry Evolution: What’s Next?”. It brought together Dr. Martin Brudermüller, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors & Chief Technology Officer, BASF; Thierry Le Hénaff, Chairman & CEO, Arkema, and Bob Patel, CEO & Chairman of the Management Board LyondellBasell. Together they broke down the upcoming issues facing the petrochemical industry. The development of digitalization which will bring untold optimization and efficiency of processes leading to more sustainability; emerging markets shifting global demand as well as innovation which remains the competitive advantage for Europe were put at the forefront. The speakers strongly agreed that amongst all keys to success, the adoption of an adaptable and flexible mind-set open to cooperation is paramount.

Continuing its work over the past two years, EPCA had its third Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) session “Diversity Inclusion: Key to Business Success between Now and 2040”.

EPCA History Book
In commemoration of the 50^th Annual Meeting of the Association EPCA has taken the opportunity to share with all stakeholders and the younger generations the story of the passionate journey EPCA has taken during the past 50 years. The diligently researched and appealingly illustrated History Book tells the story of an industry that shaped our past, improves our present, and builds our future.

The book is available as an interactive e-book that can be downloaded for free as a printable PDF version. Included in the book as an insert is an illustrated timeline depicting achievements of the petrochemical industry.