Viewpoint: The need for change—Why the industry is looking at crude-to-chemicals

Chris Birdsall is the President of ExxonMobil’s Catalysts and Licensing business. He leads a global team helping customers generate superior value through high-performance catalysts, advantaged process technology and industry-leading operations expertise. Mr. Birdsall has a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Florida. He joined ExxonMobil as a polymers manufacturing engineer in 1996, and has progressed through a number of manufacturing, technology and commercial roles over the last 20 yr. He has held management positions in ExxonMobil’s polymers, basic chemicals, lubricant basestocks and refining business units.