Accenture is currently conducting the 2005 Global Chemicals Industry Best Practices Study. The intent of the study is to give global chemical executives information they can use to significantly improve their business performance by lowering costs, increasing effectiveness, identifying actions that can be implemented quickly and make sustainable improvements.

While much work has been performed to improve supply chains, many chemical companies continue to struggle with achieving sustainable benefits. Companies recognize that in order to improve supply chain performance, they will likely need to improve intra-functional alignment across functions outside of supply chain.

A steering committee -- which includes established players in the global chemical industry such as Air Liquide Industrial U.S. LP, Bayer, BASF, The Dow Chemical Company, DuPont, Huntsman, Lyondell, Sumitomo and Total – has provided direction on the content and scope to ensure that the study has sufficient content and detail to provide meaningful, actionable results that participating companies can use to improve their overall supply chain performance.

Individual company data submitted will be confidential and seen only by Accenture, which will analyze the responses and compile the findings.

The study will generate insight in four key areas:

* Performance metrics based on a comparable peer set of companies
* Information on industry practices
* Insight into investments in supply chain tools, technology and infrastructure
* Organizational and human performance issues critical to achieving and sustaining improvement. Chemical companies interested in participating can learn more by clicking here: www.2005chemstudy.com.