Fighting fires

Clashes with environmental or consumer campaign groups have been a feature of the chemicals industry since its beginning. They are an integral part of a democratic society’s ability to hold its industries to account. Perhaps it is the history of conflict that has led both sides to become firmly entrenched. With a few notable exceptions, there appears to be an almost automatic dismissal and distrust of anything the other party says, and an unwillingness to engage in meaningful efforts to resolve the issues.