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"
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