Importance of Chemical Engineering to Louisiana Economy and Culture

Historically, the Department built its earliest reputation in sugar technology, then the major industry in the area. Later, emphasis was on the so-called unit operations which formed the basis for the design of equipment in the rapidly expanding petrochemical industry of the state. In the 1960's, we built strength in computerization and computer control of industrial processes. These strengths continue. In addition, there is emphasis on pollution control and environmental processes, biochemical processes, materials science and materials processing, heterogeneous catalysis, reaction engineering, electrochemistry engineering, and other societal needs. We view ourselves as flexible and adaptable rather than as locked into fixed specialties.

Our resources include proximity and access to one of the world's largest concentrations of chemical facilities. The Baton Rouge Advocate (September 12, 1999) reported that the annual sales of the Louisiana chemical industry exceeded $23 billion dollars in 1998. It also reported that the industry is the largest single employer in the state with more than 30,000 employees, of whom 12,000 are located in the Baton Rouge area. A special need of the industry is personnel educated in environmental control. The Advocate reported that the Louisiana chemical industry has spent an average of more than $300 million on environmental control between 1974 and 1988, and this amount is expected to increase in coming years.

The Chemical Engineering department contributes most strongly to the economy and future of Louisiana but in a more indirect way to the culture. For the last 80 years of so, the residents of Louisiana have, during most periods, been blessed with many job opportunities and a low tax base. As a result, part of the culture that has evolved has expected this and the tax base to remain low. By the chemical companies (that are dependent upon this department most heavily) contributing strongly to the economy of the state they and, indirectly, the department have continued to contribute to the culture. By providing higher paid and value added jobs, the educational level of the workers, either prior to employment or subsequent to it, has been steadily increasing. This enhanced educational level has also contributed to the development of the rich culture of this region.

Chemical engineers graduating in the future will be employed in industries that do not exist today. These include ones based on nanotechnology, MEMS, biotechnology, fullerenes, among others. These industries are in their formative stages, now being nurtured by the chemical engineering graduates of five to ten years ago.

The state of Louisiana is moving from a strong dependence upon oil exploration and crude oil production to a broader base. As a result of the chemical and petroleum companies located in Louisiana, the diversification will be strongly dependent upon those companies also. They in turn are strongly dependent upon the Chemical Engineering Department. Furthermore, a considerable fraction of the research conducted by the faculty in this department will contribute to value added processing of the products manufactured in Louisiana now. The catalysts being developed, the improved petrochemical processes, the environmental contributions, the new polymeric, textile, and geotextile processes and value added products all contribute to strengthen the future. Chemical engineers, and therefore the faculty of this department are the best prepared professionals to improve the environmental problems that Louisiana faces. The professionals in this discipline are well trained in the chemical basis and processing related to correcting or at least lessening the problems. Chemical engineers are also particularly will suited to contribute value added processing and products to Louisiana since one of the strengths of the state is production of chemicals and plastics. Astrong Chemical Engineering Department at LSU will help the state continue its progress in these areas.

^ Top