Some Industries that Have Grown Rapidly to Become Major Employers of Chemists
Chemical Synthesis: the efficient conversion of raw materials (such as minerals, petroleum, natural gases, coal and biomass) into more useful molecules and products.
Chemical Catalysis: processes by which a relatively small amount of foreign material augments the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the reaction.
Bioprocesses, Biotechnology and Biocatalysis: processes using biological organisms in the development of useful products, including chemical products. Bioprocesses have been used since humans first made cheese, leavened bread, fermented wine, and brewed spirits. Biotechnology is being used to make pest-resistant plants and pharmaceuticals. Biocatalysis has been important since we first used enzymes.
Materials Technology: development of new synthetic materials and replacement of traditional materials such as metals, wood, glass and natural fibers with synthetic polymers and composite materials.
Computational Technologies: a broad range of applications from molecular modeling to process simulation and control.
“Green Chemistry”: a new approach to pollution prevention through the environmentally conscious design of chemical products and processes. By reducing or eliminating the use or generation of toxic substances associated with a particular synthesis or process, chemists can greatly reduce the risks to human health and the environment. 1
1“Futures Through Chemistry Charting a Course” The American Chemical Society 1999
Chemical Careers in Brief from the ACS web site