Catalyst

THE MAGAZINE OF CANADA’S CHEMISTRY INDUSTRY
WINTER 2016 | www.ciac-acic.ca
Catalyst
A CONVERSATION
WITH
DERON
BILOUS
Alberta’s Minister of
Economic Development
and Trade
Climate Change and
Chemistry-Based Solutions
Profile/Profil:
Kevin Henderson,
Methanex Corporation;
Chairman, CIAC
Board of Directors
Who Will Fund the Future?

5

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VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3, WINTER 2016
COLUMNS
6 President’s Message
Meet Bob Masterson, CIAC’s New President and CEO.
Contents
Catalyst
THE MAGAZINE OF CANADA’S CHEMISTRY INDUSTRY
WINTER 2016 | www.ciac-acic.ca
7 Message de Président
Message de Bob Masterson, le nouveau président - directeur général de l’Association
canadienne de l’industrie de la chimie (ACIC)
9 Edifications
A New Government, New Dialogue, Better Chemistry
BY PIERRE GAUTHIER
11 Responsible Care ®
Climate Change and Chemistry-Based Solutions
BY LUC ROBITAILLE, VICE-PRESIDENT, RESPONSIBLE CARE ®
13 Critical Perspectives
Who Will Fund the Future?
Who will lead the industry and the field of chemistry forward?
BY ROBIN D. ROGERS
FEATURES
14 A Conversation with Deron Bilous, Alberta’s Minister of
Economic Development and Trade
Alberta’s Ministry of Economic Development and Trade is a new department
that will oversee the province’s plans for economic growth and diversification.
The Hon. Deron Bilous, who heads up the new ministry, shares his vision for Alberta.
16 CIAC Annual Dinner and Awards
Meet the individuals CIAC honoured for dedicating their time and expertise to
support and advance CIAC initiatives.
17 Honouring Richard Paton after 19 years
as CIAC’s President and CEO
Paton is leaving CIAC but will still be active in the industry.
18 Profile: Kevin Henderson, Methanex Corporation;
Chairman, CIAC Board of Directors
19 Profil: Kevin Henderson, Methanex Corporation;
Président du Conseil d’administration de l’ACIC
SOLUTIONS
21 The Chemistry Behind Skiing
Learn how this fun wintertime sport has more going on than meets the eye.
BUYERS’ GUIDE
22 Buyers’ Guide and Index to Advertisers
A CONVERSATION
WITH
DERON
BILOUS
Alberta’s Minister of
Economic Development
and Trade
Climate Change and
Chemistry-Based Solutions
Profile/Profil:
Kevin Henderson,
Methanex Corporation;
Chairman, CIAC
Board of Directors
Who Will Fund the Future?
On the Cover: Deron Bilous, Alberta’s
Minister of Economic Development
and Trade.
Chemistry Industry Association of Canada
President & CEO
Bob Masterson
Vice-President, Public Affairs
Pierre Gauthier
Catalyst Editor &
CIAC Communications Manager
Nancy Marchi
Association Office
Chemistry Industry Association of Canada
805-350 Sparks Street
Ottawa, ON K1R 7S8
Tel.: (613) 237-6215
Fax: (613) 237-4061
www.canadianchemistry.ca
NAYLOR
Group Publisher
Angela Caroyannis
Editor
Rachael Ryals
Sales/Project Manager
Kim Davies
Book Leader
Erin Pande
Sales Representatives
David S. Evans, Meaghen Foden,
Wayne Jury, Maya Wisher
Research
Margaux Tomac
Layout & Design
Ranjeet Singh
Editorial Office
1630 Ness Avenue, Suite 300
Winnipeg, MB R3J 3X1
www.naylor.com
Catalyst is published three times per year by Naylor (Canada) Inc. for
the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada. Responsible Care®,
an initiative of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada,
is an ethic for the safe and environmentally sound management
of chemicals throughout their life cycle. Invented in Canada,
Responsible Care is now practiced in 60 countries. Copyright by the
Chemistry Industry Association of Canada. All rights reserved. The
views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of
the publisher or the association. The contents of this publication may
not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the
prior consent of the association.
PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 2016/CDC-T0315/1757
Canadian Publications Mail Agreement #40064978
Postage Paid at Winnipeg
Catalyst WINTER 2016 • 5

President’s Message
By Bob Masterson
MEET BOB MASTERSON,
CIAC’S NEW PRESIDENT
AND CEO
CIAC has a
proud 50-year
history, and
today, is
recognized as
a national and
international
leader.
I’M VERY PROUD to have been selected as the next President and CEO of the Chemistry Industry
Association of Canada (CIAC). It is an honour and privilege to follow in the footsteps of past-presidents
Richard Paton and Jean Bélanger, two extremely capable and well-respected individuals, who combined,
led the association for the past 36 years. I am impressed by what the association has achieved
and confident about its potential to continue to accomplish even more in the future.
CIAC has a proud 50-year history, and today, is recognized as a national and international leader.
The association is the founder and leader of Responsible Care®, the industry’s sustainability initiative
which now operates in 62 countries around the world. During the past 30 years, Responsible
Care has guided Canada’s chemistry industry in making significant improvements in the areas of
worker, public and environmental safety. Throughout this period, CIAC and its members have held
an unwavering commitment to fair, ethical, and solutions-oriented engagement with stakeholders
and critics. And I look forward to strengthening these relationships in the coming years.
Our industry and the country have benefited from working collaboratively with our stakeholders,
and this approach has resulted in world-leading public policy creation in key areas such as the
Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999), Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan and more
recently measures that have helped strengthen the competitive position of Canada’s manufacturing
industries.
CIAC’s success has been the result of a number of factors:
• a highly engaged membership fully committed to the Responsible Care ethic;
• a talented and professional staff dedicated to developing policies to assist industry in being more
competitive, more responsible, and more credible; and,
• a network of stakeholders and critics who ensure there is no wavering in the industry’s drive to
continuous improvement.
It is my role as the next President to ensure the Responsible Care ethic continues to guide the association
as we move forward. CIAC will continue to provide increased value for its members and encourage
the broader industry to join our efforts to ensure a sustainable chemistry industry in Canada.
I look forward to working with and for you now and in the years to come.
Bob Masterson
President and CEO
6 • Catalyst WINTER 2016

Message de Président
By Bob Masterson
L’ACIC a une
fière histoire
de 50 ans et,
aujourd’hui,
elle est
reconnue
comme un
chef de file
national et
international.
MESSAGE DE BOB
MASTERSON, LE NOUVEAU
PRÉSIDENT - DIRECTEUR
GÉNÉRAL DE L’ASSOCIATION
CANADIENNE DE L’INDUSTRIE
DE LA CHIMIE (ACIC)
JE SUIS TRÈS fier d’avoir été choisi comme nouveau président - directeur général de l’ACIC. C’est un
honneur et un privilège de succéder aux anciens présidents Richard Paton et Jean Bélanger, deux hommes
extrêmement compétents et hautement respectés qui, à eux deux, ont dirigé l’Association pendant
36 ans. Je suis impressionné par tout ce que l’Association a réalisé et j’ai l’assurance qu’elle va continuer
à accomplir de grandes choses à l’avenir.
L’ACIC a une fière histoire de 50 ans et, aujourd’hui, elle est reconnue comme un chef de file national
et international. L’Association est la fondatrice et le leader de la Gestion responsable MD , l’initiative de
développement durable de l’industrie, qui, à ce jour, a été adoptée par 62 pays. Depuis 30 ans, la Gestion
responsable guide l’industrie canadienne de la chimie, qui apporte des améliorations considérables
sur les plans de la sécurité des travailleurs et du grand public et du respect de l’environnement. Depuis
toutes ces années, l’ACIC et ses membres maintiennent un engagement inébranlable envers des relations
justes, éthiques et axées sur des solutions avec les intervenants et les critiques. Je suis dans l’impatience
de renforcer ces relations au cours des années à venir.
Notre industrie et notre pays bénéficient énormément de la collaboration avec nos intervenants, ce
qui permet d’élaborer des programmes et des politiques publiques de classe mondiale, notamment la
Loi canadienne sur la protection de l’environnement (1999), le Plan de gestion des produits chimiques
du Canada et d’autres mesures récentes qui aident à renforcer la compétitivité des industries manufacturières
du Canada.
Le succès de l’ACIC découle de divers facteurs :
• des membres pleinement engagés, qui respectent l’éthique de la Gestion responsable MD ;
• un personnel talentueux et professionnel, qui élabore des politiques visant à aider l’industrie à être
plus concurrentielle, plus responsable et plus crédible ; et
• un réseau d’intervenants et de critiques qui assurent que l’industrie ne manque pas à son engagement
envers l’amélioration continue.
À titre de nouveau président, mon rôle consiste à assurer que l’éthique de la Gestion responsable
continue à guider l’Association alors que nous allons de l’avant.
Nous allons continuer à créer une valeur accrue pour nos membres et à encourager l’industrie dans
son ensemble à se joindre à nos efforts pour assurer la durabilité de l’industrie canadienne de la chimie.
Je me réjouis à l’idée de travailler avec tous nos membres, partenaires et intervenants, maintenant
et pour les années à venir.
Bob Masterson
Président - directeur général
Catalyst WINTER 2016 • 7

Edifications
NEW GOVERNMENT,
NEW DIALOGUE,
BETTER CHEMISTRY
By Pierre Gauthier
CANADA’S NEW LIBERAL majority government has arrived with an
ambitious agenda for the coming months and years. As it moves to
put new policies in place, especially with regard to the environment
and climate change, this government can count on the support of
the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC).
The government’s agenda aligns well with the priorities of
the chemistry industry, which include a focus on innovation,
high-value manufacturing, research and development, sciencebased
policy-making and sustained emissions reductions. The
industry has been working for many years to advance in these
areas, and it has a great deal of knowledge and experience to
share. And, we are committed to working collaboratively with
this new government to develop sustainable and achievable
policy solutions.
As a $53-billion-dollar industry that converts raw natural
resources into high value goods, the chemistry industry is vitally
important to strengthening Canada’s economic growth and prosperity.
It employs more than 80,000 Canadians directly and
indirectly supports another 400,000 jobs in the economy. It also
provides products essential to other industrial sectors throughout
Canada’s manufacturing value chain. CIAC believes that, by
working with industry, the government can create the right kind
of policies to support this key industry on both economic and
environmental fronts. As the voice of one of the most important
advanced manufacturing sectors in Canada, CIAC can play a huge
part in helping the government fulfil its agenda.
On the environment, CIAC supports the need for environmental
standards that are realistic and science-based. Over the
past 30 years, CIAC and its members have established a strong
track record in progressive environmental stewardship. As early
as 1985, they committed to Responsible Care® and created an ethic,
principles and a suite of codes to ensure that chemistry products
are manufactured in an environmentally responsible manner.
Today, more than 60 countries around the world have adopted
Responsible Care as their own industry standard. Thanks largely
to the members of CIAC, Canada is positioned as a global leader
in the environmental stewardship of chemical products.
With this forward-looking sustainability initiative now marking
its third decade, CIAC members have managed to reduce
their carbon emissions by 35 per cent since 1992. They have
virtually eliminated discharges to water, while reducing toxic
substance 1 emissions by 90 per cent and sulphur dioxide emissions
by 87 per cent. These reductions have been achieved through
investments in new plants and technologies; changes in production
processes; energy conservation efforts; and the substitution
of lower-carbon fuels. And the efforts continue. For example,
NOVA Chemicals in Corunna, Ontario recently moved to lighter,
ethane-based feedstock and plans soon to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by 25 per cent over 2010 levels. Responsible Care is a
Canadian sustainability success story and a model for the world.
With this kind of background, the chemistry industry strongly
believes that economic and environmental objectives can be creatively
intertwined in the development of public policies. We are
ready to roll up our sleeves and define a common set of objectives
and come up with a strong, practical policy framework that is
mutually beneficial to industry and government. However, there
are many unknowns associated with a change of government, and
clarity is needed in a number of policy areas, for example: rail
safety, reliability and service; research and development incentives;
the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP); natural resource
upgrading., and the need to bolster the competitiveness of the
chemistry industry and more broadly the manufacturing sector,
to attract investments that will strengthen productivity, innovation
and create jobs.
CIAC, as the voice of the chemistry industry, is well positioned
to facilitate an open and collaborative dialogue with a broad range
of stakeholders in the chemistry sector. The industry is poised for
growth in 2016 and beyond, and it can help the new government
to achieve an optimal balance between environmental sustainability
and economic driven growth and productivity.
We believe that industry and the government have the right
chemistry to work together to build a strong, sustainable chemistry
industry for the benefit of all Canadians, and we look forward to
entering into an open, collaborative, and productive dialogue.
Pierre Gauthier is Vice-President, Public Affairs for the Chemistry
Industry Association of Canada.
1 Toxic substances as defined by the Canadian
Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).
Catalyst WINTER 2016 • 9

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Responsible Care ®
By Luc Robitaille,
CLIMATE CHANGE AND
CHEMISTRY-BASED
SOLUTIONS
Vice-President, Responsible Care ® Catalyst WINTER 2016 • 11
MANY WONDERED WHAT role industry played
at the Conference of All Parties (COP21) in
Paris last December, as governments from
more than 140 countries worked, under the
watchful eyes of environmental groups,
towards an agreement to limit the global
impact of climate change.
Industry accounts for nearly four
per cent of all man-made greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions globally. And many sectors,
like the chemistry industry, are committed
to being a part of the solution to the
climate change challenge.
In Paris, 84 global companies publicly
committed to developing low carbon
action plans through the Low Carbon
Technology Partnerships Initiative 1 . This
initiative provides a collaborative platform
to identify technologies and solutions
to help limit global warming to no
more than 2°C relative to pre-industrial
levels. Several Responsible Care® Global
Charter signatory chemistry producers
such as DuPont, Evonik and Shell participated
in this effort. Chemicals are
one of the eight programs already active
under this Initiative, along with programs
in energy efficiency in the building
sector, carbon capture and storage,
and renewables.
Chemicals are used in sectors such
as health, agriculture, construction, and
transportation where, through continuous
innovation, they contribute to the development
of more sustainable products and significant
emissions reductions.
Construction
Buildings are a significant and growing
contributor to GHG emissions. It
is also where chemistry helps reduce
environmental impact: in construction
and operation. Advanced materials are
continuously being developed to improve
building insulation; to develop zero-waste
building materials; to improve production
and storage of renewable energy;
and to help conserve water. In addition,
technological advances in energy efficient
lighting, window films, air conditioning
coolants, piping for heat recovery
and reflecting paints ensure a more sustainable
structure.
Transportation
Global GHG emissions from the transportation
sector continue to rise as vehicle
ownership becomes more affordable in
developing countries. Today’s chemistry
contributes to a more sustainable
automotive sector through a wide range
of applications—lightweight plastics and
composite materials, reduced rolling
resistance tires, lubricants reducing friction
losses, emission controls, biofuels and
fuel cells, and the growing use of recyclable
materials—resulting in increased fuel consumption
efficiency. Vehicles are becoming
more energy efficient without sacrificing
safety or comfort.
Food
Today, more than a third of all food
produced is wasted. Not only does this
have an impact on human health but it also
results in unsustainable environmental
pressure and in resource and water losses.

The chemistry sector contributes greatly to
reducing GHG emissions associated with
agricultural production at all stages of the
food chain through innovative packaging
such as barrier films; oxygen or ethylene
scavenging coatings; and, light and smart
packaging that can extend the shelf-life of
food and reduce waste.
Energy
It is clear one of the most promising
approaches to reducing GHG emissions
will come from the development of
renewable energy solutions. Chemistry is
an essential part of the solution through
the development of photovoltaic cells,
the production of composite materials
for wind turbines, and improve battery
performance.
A shift to lower emission fuels – or
decarbonization – will allow for the production
of hydrogen through the electrolysis
of water which can then be used in the
production of various essential chemicals.
Methanol and other synthetic gas and biofuels
can also be produced using waste
Report Looks at GHG
Emissions Reductions
A report published by the World
Council for Sustainable Develop ment –
Low Carbon Technology Partnership
Initiative – Illustrates the important
role the chemistry industry plays in
transforming the products and services
we use daily. The report looks at potential
GHG emissions reductions both in
chemical production and through the
use of chemistry products.
Various renewable bio-based chemicals
can be produced using animal fats,
vegetable oils, starch, sugar and cellulose.
These can be made into plastics,
detergents, fibres, inks, adhesives,
construction materials, lubricants and
medicines.
To learn more, visit:
www.lctpi.wbcsdservers.org.
materials as feedstock instead of disposing
of these materials in landfills.
What can the chemistry
industry do directly?
Since reporting began in 1992, Canada’s
chemistry industry has proactively reduced
GHG emissions by 69 per cent. The industry
continues to invest in more energy efficient
projects and processes, increase its
use of recyclable materials and continues
to use scarce natural resources responsibly.
Improvements like these allow the sector to
continue to grow and innovate, and deliver
the products and solutions to help reduce
the impacts of climate change in Canada
and abroad.
CIAC members and partners, working
with governments and stakeholders,
are committed to investing in and
developing innovative solutions to improve
environmental performance and help
other sectors meet their own emissions
reduction objectives.
Luc Robitaille joined the Chemistry Industry
Association of Canada as Vice-President,
Responsible Care® in November 2015. He
is responsible for CIAC’s environmental,
health and sustainability issues.
1 www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/content/
low-carbon-technology-partnerships-initiative
12 • Catalyst WINTER 2016
761871_CCC.indd 1
8/19/15 1:59 PM

Critical Perspectives
WHO WILL FUND THE FUTURE?
By Robin D. Rogers
GREEN CHEMISTRY AND sustainability might
be the catalyst for change that reestablishes
the trust between the chemistry industry
and society, or the catalyst which ends
the industry as we know it. Does anyone
remember photographic film and a company
named Kodak? Interestingly, I am
not sure the lessons of history have been
ingrained enough to overcome the shortterm
survivalist thinking that prevents us
from risking change.
Many chemistry industries today are
trying to adopt the principles of green
chemistry to become better at what they
do and to respond to the new societal push
prompted by the rising awareness of global
climate change. Industries such as coal
mining are disappearing, while companies
based on oil, natural gas, and other
nonrenewable fuels and chemical sources
perhaps can see the handwriting on the
wall. In survivalist mode, many companies
seek societally-acceptable solutions that
still fit their current business plans. For
the chemistry industry this has meant
biosourcing chemicals that they can sell
instead of selling chemicals from the
refining of oil.
The change in our industry seems to
be a combination of business as usual and
small changes that seem meant to meet
what society thinks it wants or needs at
the moment. But who is finding and funding
the future? Where is the transformational
thinking that might eliminate the
need for chemistry industries and who
would fund such efforts?
Indeed, almost all disruptive technologies
come from the outside and not from
within the industries being displaced. But
for the chemistry industry, who is on the
outside paying attention? Normally, I
would look to the academic infrastructure,
the discipline of chemistry, for disruptive
changes in our industry; however, the funding
climate does not seem to allow this.
There has been, and apparently always
will be, a tension between ‘pure’ academic
research and ‘industrial’ research. When I
started my first faculty position in 1982, I
still remember being advised to stay away
from working with industry (which was
in the second breath after “I tried that
20 years ago and it didn’t work then and it
won’t work now.”). However, in the United
States, the changes in the economy and
the changes in the funding of academic
chemists turned virtually every successful
fundraiser into essentially an entrepreneur,
raising money wherever it could be
obtained. I also see this trend in Canada,
although many Canadian scientists must
raise significant support from companies
outside of Canada.
The chemistry industry now provides
a lot of funding to academics today, but
the work appealing to industry is likely
not going to be research, which would put
that company out of business if successful.
I still remember developing and patenting
(U.S. Patent No. 5,603,834; Feb. 18, 1997),
a technology that could be used to make
a Technetium-99m radiopharmaceutical
generator without using a source generated
by nuclear fission. Unfortunately for me,
there was only one company (a Canadian
company) in that space and they certainly
would not fund our work that could displace
them from the market. Just as an
update, I understand that perhaps this
technology might now be needed since
this company’s nuclear reactor had to be
shut down. Where would we be today if
the funding for such technologies was provided
by the industries that might eventually
take them forward?
In today’s world, as an academic, I have
also embarked into the world of the entrepreneur,
if nothing else to at least encourage
and teach (as much as an academic can)
how to recognize disruptive technologies,
market pain which needs relief, and the
general thinking/planning/organization
needed to be successful in a niche business
world.
Will the disruptive changes come from
the growing entrepreneurial sector where
big ideas can start small and take over?
Here risk takes on a different meaning since
entrepreneurs also need to raise money and
the venture capitalists seem to be quite risk
adverse. If there is already a good business
case to be made, there is virtually no risk,
and the return on investment (ROI) is guaranteed,
can the new technology really be
that novel or disruptive?
My challenge to the chemistry industry
is many fold, but perhaps the biggest
part of it is answering the question, do you
hang on forever or as long as possible for
survival or do you reinvent yourself? The
first step is to recognize when its time to
change, in time to be able to change.
I would suggest that now is the time to
change. In the U.S. it seems both Congress
and industry have been adverse to the concepts
of ‘green’, accusing its proponents
of being anti-business and the demands
of society ringing the death knell of our
economy. In Canada, at least before the
last election, I noted policies and attitudes
consistent with those in the U.S. In reality,
the concepts of green and sustainability
can make money and create jobs;
likely they eventually will do so in a large
and disruptive (i.e., transformational) way.
Given what is happening with oil today,
it should be clear the Canadian economy
will suffer with business as usual, but
could lead the world in alternative sustainable
technologies based on wise use
of renewable resources.
So, who will lead our industry and the
field of chemistry forward, those who are
risk adverse, or those who recognize, adopt,
and encourage change despite the risks?
Robin D. Rogers is a Professor, Department
of Chemistry, and Canada Excellence
Research Chair in Green Chemistry and
Green Chemicals, McGill University
in Montreal.
Catalyst WINTER 2016 • 13

Cover Story
A Conversation
with
Deron Bilous
Alberta’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade
Alberta’s Ministry of Economic Development and Trade is a new department that will oversee the province’s plans for economic growth
and diversification. The Hon. Deron Bilous, who heads up the new ministry, recently spoke with Catalyst about his vision for Alberta.
Minister Bilous, can you tell us a bit about
the new Ministry?
Minister Bilous: The Ministry of
Economic Development and Trade provides
the leadership and tools business needs to
grow and create good jobs for Albertans. It provides
Alberta’s private-sector job creators with a one-stop
shop for economic development and diversification.
The Ministry has four divisions:
• Economic Development and Small and Medium
Sized Enterprise focuses on sustainable growth
and promotes non-energy sectors to increase economic
resilience in the economy.
• Trade and Investment Attraction drives export
market and investment attraction in both the energy
sector and other industries.
• Science and Innovation works to position Alberta
on the cutting edge of research, innovation and
commercialization.
• Strategic Policy and Corporate Services provides
policy, planning and evaluation support for
the Ministry.
14 • Catalyst WINTER 2016

CIAC member-companies have been leaders in reducing
their environmental footprint while producing safer and
more environmentally friendly products. How do you
see our industry helping to support Alberta’s sustainable
energy future?
MB: I want to start out by commending CIAC in its commitment
to the environment. Through this, you are a model to other industry
associations across Canada.
On Nov. 22, 2015 our government announced Alberta’s Climate
Leadership Plan. The plan will make Alberta one of the most environmentally
responsible energy producers in the world. CIAC members
will be an integral part of reaching the provinces climate goals laid
out in the Climate Leadership Plan. You are already a leader in sustainable
development. An example of how the chemistry industry currently
helps is by taking off-gasses from oil sands facilities and using it
as feedstock. This reduces emissions and uses what would otherwise
be a waste product. Innovation and research is essential—continue
innovating and finding even more efficient processes to manufacture
chemicals.
How will the Ministry encourage value-added
developments and manufacturing in Alberta?
MB: We are working with the energy industry, smalland
medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs to
develop new opportunities and create good jobs. We
are building the roads, bridges, schools and flood protection that
have been neglected for too long.
We are focusing on ways to diversify and add-value to our
energy sector, as we seek ways to improve market access. This
will help create long-term stability and good jobs in the sector.
The Royalty Review Advisory Panel has been tasked with
exploring diversification opportunities, including value-added
processing. I’m looking forward to the ideas brought forward
by the panel.
Do you see your Ministry directly involved in energy
upgrading strategies such as petrochemical investments
and development?
MB: I see our ministry as leading our economic
development efforts and part of that is exploring
upgrading and refining potential through the Royalty Review
Advisory Panel, and part of that is examining efforts that have
been made in the past to incent petrochemical development.
We are also currently working in partnership with Alberta
Energy to investigate possible program supports, as our government
is supportive of petrochemical development.
How can the chemistry industry help contribute to
diversifying the province’s economy?
MB: In Alberta, we would like to see new value chains
introduced, and the value chains we have extended –
new petrochemical processing facilities means new manufacturing
and processing opportunities that would support many sectors.
The chemistry industry is the fastest growing sector in
North America with over $125 billion in investments
expected between now and 2023 but we face some stiff
competition from the U.S. How can the province help our
industry win some of these investments?
MB: We understand there are some competitiveness challenges.
With the current changes in our economy, we are seeing a less tight
labour market and an advantageous exchange rate helping improve
our competitiveness. This in combination with abundant available
feedstocks like ethane and propane are helping to level the competitiveness
playing field. We are working to quantify the ongoing shift
in competitiveness with our competing jurisdictions and developing
business cases that allow us to strategically focus on key issues that
might be barriers or opportunities.
Some observers are saying that access to long-term supplies
of feedstock (natural gas and natural gas liquids) in
Alberta is restricted compared to other competitive jurisdictions.
How can you and the Ministry of Energy help our
industry secure a more predictable long-term supply of feedstock?
MB: Alberta has enormous shale resources. The challenge may
not be supply of petrochemical feedstock as much as building and
maintaining new markets and processing facilities that will provide
demand for continued deep gas and shale development. Our role is to
work with industry to ensure Alberta can continue to compete on an
international scale.
Given our longstanding history working with your department’s
officials, would it be fair to identify you as being
the lead, or the champion, for adding manufacturing value
to the output of the energy sector?
MB: Absolutely. You are spot on – regard me as the ‘point’ in government
for addressing diversification. The Premier put this Ministry
together as the one stop for value add, for diversification, for competitiveness,
for support and for opportunities to partner together. And
we look forward to working with you and your members in the future
to secure value add for Alberta.
Catalyst WINTER 2016 • 15

Feature
CIAC Annual Dinner
and Awards
EACH OCTOBER, CIAC recognizes individuals who have dedicated
their time and expertise to support and advance CIAC initiatives.
This year’s honorees were recognized at the association’s Annual
Dinner and Awards event held in Ottawa on Oct. 21.
Merit Award
The Merit Award recognizes a group or individual that has
provided leadership in supporting CIAC initiatives.
Randy Mark, Hydrocarbon Products Technician, Dow
Chemical Canada is this year’s Merit Award recipient. Randy
has been Chair of CIAC’s National TRANSCAER® Committee
since 2013. Over the past three years, he has helped grow the
TRANSCAER® program – bringing in new partners and increasing
the program’s reach to communities and first responders. Randy
also serves on a number of other transportation related committees,
and was instrumental in developing a rail tank car
*FIXED PRICES AVAILABLE UP TO
FIVE YEAR TERMS
Award winners L to R: Randy Mak, Dow Chemicals;
Richard Paton, CIAC; Graeme Flint, NOVA Chemicals and
Carles Navarro, BASF.
training manual, and the TRANSCAER®’s Train-the-Trainer
program. For more information on TRANSCAER® visit
www.transcaer.ca
Chairman’s Awards
The Chairman’s Award recognizes previous Merit Award
winners who have continued to actively support CIAC’s initiatives,
and/or have served on the association’s Board of Directors.
This year’s honourees are:
Graeme Flint, Vice President, Olefins Feedstock, NOVA
Chemicals. Graeme is a seasoned advocate for the industry, and
his ability to skillfully work on policies related to taxation and
competitiveness in both Ottawa and Alberta is unmatched. One
of CIAC’s recent major successes – the federal government’s tenyear
extension of the Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance – is
due in no small part to Graeme’s committed efforts. Graham
has also been very active in the National Energy Board’s process
on natural gas applications, and the Alberta Gas Review –
in both cases bringing a good balance to very polarizing issues.
Carles Navarro, President, BASF Canada. Carles has only
been in Canada for three years, but he has made quite an impact
in that short time. Arriving from BASF Europe in 2013, he
quickly joined CIAC’s Board of Directors and later the association’s
Executive Committee. He has been a valuable advocate
for the industry on issues related to global harmonization, the
Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance, and a range of other competitiveness
issues. But, even more impressive, is his belief in
and support of Responsible Care®, for which he has become one
of the association’s leading champions. Carles is returning to
BASF in Europe in early 2016, but he made as big an impression
on the industry in Canada, as Canada has on him.
16 • Catalyst WINTER 2016
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12/30/15 12:53 PM

Feature
Honouring Richard Paton
After 19 Years as CIAC President and CEO
ON DEC. 1, 2015, Richard Paton retired
as President and CEO of the Chemistry
Industry Association of Canada. A reception
celebrating Richard’s long career with
CIAC was held last October in Ottawa, to
coincide with his final Board of Directors
meeting. Guests included CIAC staff,
Board members, past and present colleagues,
friends and family. The celebration
spilled over into the association’s
Annual Dinner and Awards celebration
where Richard was presented with CIAC’s
Outstanding Leadership Award.
Richard may be leaving CIAC, but
he is not exactly retiring. He has set
up a consulting company, R. Paton
Consultants, and plans to continue providing
advice and guidance to association
executives and aspiring leaders. Richard
will also continue to teach in the Masters
in Public Policy and Administration program
at Carleton University.
What a Team!
“There is one staff person that has made the
job of President a joy every day, and that person
is Charlaine Gendron. Charlaine has
worked with me for 28 years through four
different jobs... She has brought teamwork,
professionalism, organization, and fun to
the job, and has been a huge force in creating
a positive work environment.” -R. Paton
Richard’s family was on hand for the celebration.
From a plaque presented to Richard
at his retirement reception. “Who
is that guy?” was a question you’d
often hear Richard ask.
Outgoing CIAC Chairman, Mark Stumpf (Imperial Oil) presents Richard with
the Outstanding Leadership Award, a platinum Responsible Care® pin.
Catalyst WINTER 2016 • 17

Profile
Kevin Henderson, Methanex Corporation;
Chairman, CIAC Board of Directors
KEVIN HENDERSON HAS come a long
way in his 40 years with Methanex, the
world’s largest producer and supplier
of methanol. Today, he may be their
Vice-President for Manufacturing in North
America, but he started out loading railcars
for the company.
During the past four decades, he has
worked at plants in British Columbia,
Alberta and New Zealand, and done just
about every job—from emergency response
instructor to manager of operations to
plant manager.
Now, Henderson has taken on a new
challenge—Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Chemistry Industry
Association of Canada (CIAC).
While he assumed the role in October
2015, Henderson isn’t new to CIAC’s
board. He joined the association in 2012
and has been a member of the executive
committee since 2014. He initially became
involved with CIAC because of the positive
impact the organization was making
on the industry.
“I admired what CIAC and its members
achieved and the global leadership
they brought to the chemistry industry
with regard to Responsible Care®,” he
explains. “Having worked in the industry
for 40 years, I have seen firsthand the value
of Responsible Care and the work that CIAC
has accomplished—the improvements in
overall safety, and the responsible management
of products.”
Responsible Care is a key part of
Methanex’s operations, not just in Canada,
but also at their plants in Chile, Egypt, New
Zealand, the United States and Trinidad
and Tobago. The company underwent its
first Responsible Care verification in 1996
and was the first chemical company in the
Kevin Henderson, VP North America (centre) is presented with a street sign in
his name from John Floren, President and CEO (right) and Paul Daoust, Plant
Manager, Medicine Hat in recognition of his 40 years of service. The sign has
been mounted on a road inside the Medicine Hat manufacturing facility.
world to be globally verified to Responsible
Care. Henderson says their vision is to
always be a leader in Responsible Care.
“Responsible Care practices are part
of the foundation of all things that we do
within the company”, he says. “We have
been verifying across the globe using the
Canadian standard of Responsible Care and
that has helped us drive our whole business
to improve at every level, from environmental
to safety to product stewardship
to sustainability.”
Henderson is looking to his new position
as a chance to work even more closely
with CIAC, and to find ways to achieve the
goals and expectations of its members. He
is also determined to help the Canadian
chemistry industry grow and be more competitive
in the global marketplace.
“I would like to see further advances in
technology and the opening up of new markets
for Canadian-produced chemicals,”
says Henderson. “I think the Canadian
chemistry industry is poised for growth.
Access to markets through an efficient and
competitive rail and ports system helps to
support that growth.”
Collaborating with government will be
key to making Henderson’s vision a reality,
especially with recent changes in leadership
at the federal level and in several provinces.
He believes it is critical that government
is aware of the sustainability efforts
and the economic value the industry brings
to Canada.
“Since 1992, our industry has reduced
its emissions by 88 per cent and will continue
efforts to improve environmental
performance even further,” he says.
Another of Henderson’s priorities as
chairman is to educate on the economic
value of the chemistry industry. The industry
directly employs 82,000 Canadians and
is the second largest exporter among all
manufacturing sectors, exporting more
than $30 billion worth of product each year.
Continued on page 22
18 • Catalyst WINTER 2016

Profil
KEVIN HENDERSON,
METHANEX CORPORATION;
PRÉSIDENT DU CONSEIL
D’ADMINISTRATION DE L’ACIC
KEVIN HENDERSON A parcouru beaucoup de
chemin au cours de ses 40 années de service
auprès de Methanex, le plus important producteur
et fournisseur de méthanol dans
le monde. S’il en est aujourd’hui le viceprésident
de la fabrication en Amérique
du Nord, à ses débuts, son travail était
pourtant de charger les wagons.
Au cours des 40 dernières années,
il a travaillé dans des usines en
Colombie-Britannique, en Alberta et en
Nouvelle-Zélande et a occupé pratiquement
tous les postes qui soient, dont celui
d’instructeur en intervention d’urgence à
celui de directeur d’usine, en passant par
celui de gestionnaire des opérations et de
directeur d’usine.
M. Henderson entreprend maintenant
un nouveau défi : celui de présider
l’Association canadienne de l’industrie de
la chimie (ACIC).
Même s’il a débuté ses fonctions en
octobre 2015, il n’en est pas à ses premières
armes avec le conseil d’administration de
l’ACIC. M. Henderson est devenu membre
de l’Association en 2012 et fait partie de
son comité de direction depuis 2014. Au
départ, il s’est investi auprès de l’ACIC en
raison de l’influence positive qu’elle exerce
sur l’industrie.
« J’admirais ce que l’ACIC et ses membres
ont accompli ainsi que le leadership
dont ils font preuve à l’échelle mondiale
dans l’industrie de la chimie quant à la
Gestion responsableMD, explique-t-il. En
40 années au service de l’industrie, j’ai constaté
la valeur de la Gestion responsable et
le travail accompli par l’ACIC, notamment
les améliorations à la sécurité globale ainsi
que la gestion éclairée de nos produits. »
La Gestion responsable est un élément
clé des activités de Methanex, non
seulement au Canada mais également dans
ses usines au Chili, en Égypte, en Nouvelle-
Zélande, aux États-Unis ainsi qu’à Trinitéet-Tobago.
L’entreprise a subi sa première
vérification de la Gestion responsable en
1996 et il s’agit de la première entreprise
chimique ayant réussi une vérification à
l’échelle mondiale. M. Henderson affirme
que sa vision est de demeurer un chef de
file de la Gestion responsable.
« Les pratiques de la Gestion responsable
sont à la base de tout ce que nous faisons au
sein de la société, affirme-t-il. Nous avons
mené des vérifications partout dans le
monde en fonction de la norme canadienne
de la Gestion responsable et cela nous a aidé
à améliorer nos activités à tous les niveaux,
du point de vue de l’environnement et de la
sécurité, en passant par la bonne gestion des
produits et la durabilité. »
M. Henderson voit son nouveau poste
comme une occasion de travailler encore
plus étroitement avec l’ACIC et de trouver
de nouvelles façons d’atteindre les buts et
les attentes de ses membres. Il est par ailleurs
résolu à aider l’industrie canadienne
de la chimie à croître et à devenir plus concurrentielle
dans les marchés mondiaux.
« Je souhaite voir d’autres avancées
technologiques ainsi que l’ouverture
de nouveaux marchés pour les produits
chimiques du Canada, affirme-t-il. Je crois
que l’industrie canadienne de la chimie
est prête à prendre de l’essor. L’accès aux
marchés grâce à un système portuaire et
ferroviaire efficace et concurrentiel viendra
soutenir cette croissance. »
La collaboration avec le gouvernement
sera essentielle pour concrétiser la vision
de M. Henderson, surtout compte tenu
des récents changements de leadership au
fédéral et dans plusieurs provinces.
Selon lui, il est essentiel que le gouvernement
soit sensibilisé sur les efforts
que l’industrie déploie en matière de durabilité
ainsi que de la valeur économique
qu’elle offre au Canada.
« Depuis 1992, notre industrie a réduit
ses émissions de 88 pour cent et poursuit
ses efforts en vue d’améliorer encore davantage
son rendement sur le plan environnemental,
affirme-t-il. »
Une autre priorité pour M. Henderson
en tant que président est de faire connaître
la valeur économique de l’industrie de la
chimie. Elle emploie directement 82 000
Canadiens et est le deuxième exportateur
en importance dans l’ensemble des secteurs
manufacturiers, exportant chaque année
des produits dont la valeur dépasse 30 milliards
de dollars. Si les membres de l’ACIC
souhaitent continuer d’expédier leurs produits
dans ces marchés, ils auront besoin
du soutien du gouvernement.
Il est primordial que les gouvernements
soient conscients que beaucoup parmi nous
sommes des joueurs mondiaux et que les
consommateurs de la plupart de nos produits
se trouvent à l’étranger. Ainsi, les
politiques et les taux d’imposition qui
assurent la compétitivité de nos membres
permettront à l’industrie de poursuivre
sa croissance et ses activités au Canada,
explique-t-il.
Il s’attend à ce que tous les membres de
l’ACIC fassent en sorte que ce message soit
entendu haut et fort.
« L’ACIC et ses membres doivent être
faciles à rejoindre pour le gouvernement
afin que nous puissions avoir une discussion.
Il en va de l’intérêt de tous les membres
de soutenir l’organisation. Ce n’est
pas le devoir d’une seule entreprise. Nous
devons tous participer. »
Catalyst WINTER 2016 • 19

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20 • Catalyst WINTER 2016
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7/21/14 6:51 PM

Solutions
THE
CHEMISTRY
BEHIND
SKIING
Polycarbonate:
Lightweight and impact-resistant polycarbonate
is used to make helmets, goggles and sunglasses.
Plastic foam padding in helmets provides
cushioning and support.
Goggles:
Invisible films and coatings
provide sun and anti-fog protection
in goggles and sunglasses.
Fluorochemistry:
Fluorochemistry delivers water
and wind-resistance, and
breathability to outerwear.
Films and Coatings:
Polypropylene provides
moisture-wicking properties in
tops and pants, gloves, and ski
masks to help keep skin dry.
Nylon and Plastic:
Many boots use nylon for lightweight
durability and insulation. Plastic inserts
offer extra cushioning and support.
Information provided by Let’s Talk Science,
and the American Chemistry Council.
www.letstalkscience.ca
Polyurethane:
Most skis and snowboards have a
polyurethane core with synthetic
fiber coatings to increase strength
and minimize weight.
Catalyst WINTER 2016 • 21

Continued from page 18
If CIAC members are going to continue to
get those products to market, they will need
government support.
“It is critical that governments understand
a lot of us are global players and
that customers for the majority of our
products are outside Canada. So policies
and taxation rates that allow members
to be competitive will enable this industry
to continue to grow and operate in
Canada,” he says.
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Making sure that message is heard loud
and clear is a task Henderson is looking to
CIAC’s entire membership to help with.
“CIAC and its members need to make
themselves available to government to
be able to have those conversations” he
says. “It is the responsibility of all members
to provide support to the organization
in order to benefit all members. It
can’t be carried by one company. We all
have to participate.”
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Buyers’ Guide and
Index to Advertisers
BEAKERS
FortisBC 20
wwwfortisbccom
CHEMICAL & SERVICE PROVIDER
Dow Chemical Canada ULC Inside Front Cover
wwwdowcom
NOVA Chemicals
(Mktg Communications)Inside Back Cover
wwwnovachemicalscom
CHEMICAL CONSULTANT
Independent Electricity
System Operator (IESO) 10
wwwpowerauthorityonca
CHEMICAL PRODUCER
BASF 4
wwwbasfcom
CCC12
wwwcanadacolorscom
Dow Chemical Canada ULC Inside Front Cover
wwwdowcom
Imperial Oil Outside Back Cover
wwwimperialoilca
NOVA Chemicals
(Mktg Communications)Inside Back Cover
wwwnovachemicalscom
CHEMICALS - FORMULATING & PACKAGING
NOVA Chemicals
(Mktg Communications)Inside Back Cover
wwwnovachemicalscom
CONTAINERS
Eurotainer US, Inc 22
wwweurotainercom
CUSTOM COMPOUNDS &
CHEMICAL ADDITIVES
NOVA Chemicals
(Mktg Communications)Inside Back Cover
wwwnovachemicalscom
ENERGY SUPPLIERS
Comsatec Inc16
wwwcomsateccom
MSDS/SDS CONVERSION SERVICE
Quantum Compliance Systems, Inc 22
wwwusequantumcom
PLASTICS
NOVA Chemicals
(Mktg Communications)Inside Back Cover
wwwnovachemicalscom
PROCESS AIDS - PLASTIC
NOVA Chemicals
(Mktg Communications)Inside Back Cover
wwwnovachemicalscom
PROCESS CONTROL EQUIPMENT
NOVA Chemicals
(Mktg Communications)Inside Back Cover
wwwnovachemicalscom
RESEARCH SERVICES
GreenCentre Canada 3
wwwgreencentrecanadacom
TRANSPORTATION & STORAGE
Eurotainer US, Inc 22
wwweurotainercom
TRUCKING FIRMS
Harmac Transportation Inc 18
wwwharmactransportcom
Northwest Tank Lines 8
wwwnorthwesttanklinescom
22 • Catalyst WINTER 2016
783844_Quantum.indd 1
12/24/15 1:41 PM

What’s in your cart?
At Imperial, we have been using science and technology for more than
100 years to better communities, the environment and the economy.
By working with our customers on improving formulations, they can
incorporate more recycled plastic in their products, like these recycle bins.
This is an example of our commitment to Responsible Care® at work.
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