50 years in catalysis. Lessons learned

• Industrial research should apply a multiple approach including fundamental research.
• The individual scientist should be ensured a room for initiative.
• Research should be managed by motivation – not by control.
• Universities should focus on long-term frontier research and not be directed of political pressure of being relevant.
• We need the courage to formulate new concepts of catalysis with the risk of failure.

Management of responsive research is a difficult balance between order and chaos. It is essential that each scientist has a room for initiative. Public research policy should focus on frontier research and not force universities into “non applicable applied research”. Long-term basic research is important for a high tech company to establish a two-way collaboration with academia and to ensure future options for the company. The challenges to industrial catalysis are discussed in terms of a SWOT analysis.

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