FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | June 27, 2011

Response to President Obama’s Launch of the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership

Comments by Nancy B. Jackson, Ph.D., President, American Chemical Society

“This past Friday, President Obama, launched the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership and reaffirmed a vision of America that we at the American Chemical Society have long known to be true: Americans not only have the know-how when it comes to innovation and manufacturing, they have the ability to deliver results.”

“This new, national initiative brings together industry, universities and the federal government to invest in emerging technologies that will create high quality manufacturing jobs and enhance our global competitiveness. ACS is very pleased that the partnership will be led by two highly respected individuals: Andrew Liveris, Chairman, President, and CEO of Dow Chemical and Susan Hockfield, President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.”

“I was pleased — though not surprised — to see the support of chemical enterprise leaders such as Dow Chemical, Corning, Procter & Gamble, and Johnson and Johnson. More than 96 percent of all manufactured goods are touched by the business of chemistry, and we employ more than 800,000 people in industry alone. Furthermore, the chemical industry accounts for more than 10 percent of the U.S.’s total merchandise exports: $145 billion.”

“We see and hear in the news how many jobs have moved overseas, but the truth is that much of the value of the chemical enterprise remains right here in the United States. We at ACS are as concerned as every other American about our economy and our future as leaders in pioneering new growth. I am pleased to see that the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology emphasized the need for tax and business policies that will encourage growth in manufacturing and a coherent innovation policy. ACS concurs wholeheartedly and has developed parallel policies regarding tax credits for innovation, tools for entrepreneurs, industry partnerships and most recently support for patent reform contained in the America Invests Act, which passed the House of Representatives last Thursday.”

“As Americans we not only ‘can do’ when it comes to innovating and manufacturing new products, but we innovate new business models. The president spoke of Procter & Gamble’s plans to offer powerful simulation technology that they developed with researchers at Los Alamos National Lab to smaller manufacturers for free. This shared capital will boost companies that could not otherwise afford such technology, leading to new applications and innovations across a host of products and services.”

“The American Chemical Society applauds these efforts to revitalize American manufacturing and innovation. Let us not let the deficit and needed cuts eclipse what is truly vital in America: our ability to innovate, adapt and foster new growth.”

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