Louisiana has a well-established university system that extends to all corners of the state. The State and the chemical industry must improve collaboration to utilize resources to create a globally competitive business environment.

Establish a chemical manufacturing think tank
Establish a Louisiana Center for Strategic Petrochemical Development. Create a “Think Tank” dedicated to strategic thinking on the transformations triggered by technology and globalization. Collect ideas, protect them from short-term pressure, make them grow into projects with high social and monetary added value, and make sure they are realized.

Leverage university resources
Develop an “ideas lab” for infrastructure, energy usage and distribution, access to raw materials, shared resources and zoning development. Using the ideas that emerge from the “ideas lab”, formulate a “master plan” for Louisiana that attracts more businesses to a state where the business environment is conducive to industry growth.

Coordinate research and development
Develop chemical industry focused research and development programs at universities and create a mechanism/program to offer its resources to petrochemical companies. Through this program, companies could work closely with the university R&D personnel to fully advance ideas or products in a mutually beneficial manner. To encourage this cooperation, R&D credits should be extended to university/business partnerships.