Connect with The Chemical Show guests and industry leaders at The Chemical Summit on September 30 - October 1, 2025 in Houston, TX.
https://www.thechemicalsummit.com
How does a century-old technology company stay at the forefront of industrial innovation? Leon de Bruyn, CEO of Lummus Technology, joins host Victoria Meyer to share Lummus’s transformation story and the company’s unique approach to navigating change in the chemical industry. Leon reflects on Lummus’s evolution into an independent, pure-play technology leader, the challenges and opportunities in a rapidly changing market, and why fostering a culture of fearless innovation is critical to success.
Victoria and Leon explore the balance between traditional and sustainable technologies, the practical steps chemical businesses can take toward decarbonization, and the strategic role of digitalization and AI in modernizing asset performance and project execution. With real-world examples of rapid commercialization and thoughtful insights on talent, culture, and the future of process technology, this conversation offers a fresh look at how established companies can lead and adapt in today’s chemical sector.
On this episode, Victoria and Leon explore the following topics:
- Lummus Technology from a 100-year-old firm into an innovation leader.
- How Lummus is balancing growth in traditional and new, sustainable solutions
- How encouraging quick ideas, rapid testing, and smart risks speed up product development and market response.
- Striking a balance between new investments and ongoing process support during economic changes.
- How AI and digital tools are changing how Lummus designs, operates, and improves chemical facilities.
Killer Quote: "We want to play in making, breaking and remaking all of the polymers that are important... I think we also have a responsibility to then figure out how do we break those polymers after use to avoid it becomes a waste or landfill or worse and break those back into useful components that can then be circulated back into making. So make, break and remake those polymers." – Leon de Bruyn
Additional Links:
How Lummus Technology is Applying Startup Energy to a Legacy Business with Leon de Bruyn
00:00 "Lummus: Renewing a Century-Old Legacy"
03:48 "Revitalizing a Legacy Tech Brand"
07:23 Circular Polymers, Water, and Biomass
10:52 Fearless Innovation through Open Ideas
15:49 Optimizing Investments & Asset Lifecycle
18:57 Energy Industry's Environmental Responsibility
20:55 Optimizing Petrochemical Investments
25:16 AI Integration Boosts Industrial Efficiency
29:36 Balancing Data Security and Innovation
33:28 Innovation and Passion Fuel Success
35:47 AI's Impact on Design Speed
38:01 "Engineering: Challenges and Rewards"
Subscribe to The Chemical Show on YouTube
***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com
Sponsored by Newry. Newry helps you uncover growth where you're built to win - fast.
Visit newrycorp.com and see the Newry team at The Chemical Summit.
Popular Podcasts
NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com