Science fans of the intricate chemical world now have their museum as the country's first central displays on the chemical industry opened to the public in Beijing recently.

Founded by the China National Chemical Group Corp (ChemChina), the museum's exhibits detail the development history of China's chemical industry and offer a glimpse of its future.

The establishment of the museum aims to show the public the history of Chinese chemical industry through hi-tech.

As a museum that popularizes science, it is also a good place to teach basic chemistry to the youth, which in turn should aid further development of the country's chemical industry, museum organizers said.

On the third floor of China Chemical Plaza in Zhongguancun, a hi-tech area in Haidian district, its exhibitions cover 2,540 sq m.

The museum includes displays on ancient chemical production, the modern industry and future trends, as well an exhibit on the history and development of ChemChina.

Hou Debang (1890-1974), a celebrated scienctist, made great contributions to China's chemical industry.

In addition to written materials, pictures, graphics, models and replicas of equipment used from ancient to modern times, the museum offers interactive experiences to visitors using touch screens and videos.

Professionals in the chemical industry can learn more detailed knowledge through a multimedia database.

Among the interesting displays is equipment that was phased out during China's industrial and economic reforms.

The exhibition hall of the ChemChina showcases the history of the corporation.

The hall tells the story of ChemChina from its inception and includes sectors on advanced and specialty chemicals, oil processing, raw materials, agro-chemicals, rubber processing and science sector, all which show the scale of ChemChina and the contributions the corporation has made to national industry.

ChemChina is a large State-owned group that includes China National Bluestar Corp, China National Haohua Chemical Corp and other companies affiliated with the former Ministry of Chemical Industry.

Headquartered in Beijing, ChemChina was formed in 2004 and is administered by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.

As one of the top domestic chemical groups in the country, its wide range of activities includes scientific and technological development, engineering design, production and operation and domestic and foreign trade.

ChemChina also owns overseas companies such as Adisseo in France, Bluestar Silicones International and Qenos in Australia.

It has production plants or R&D centers in 140 countries worldwide.

At the end of 2007, assets of ChemChina reached 123 billion yuan and revenues totaled 110 billion yuan.

Recently, the Internet Corporate Identity System (ICIS), the world's leading information provider for the chemical and oil industry, unveiled the list of Top 100 global chemical enterprises, featuring the world's top chemical player ranked by their sales income of last year.

ChemChina was listed as one of Top 100, ranking No 19, which means the company is now one of the top 20 global chemical companies.

Germany-based BASF once again took the top spot with $85.3 billion in sales and Dow ranked second with its sales income of $53.5 billion. Sales income of ChemChina last year reached $17.4 billion.

ChemChina was also listed as one of the Top 500 Chinese enterprises by National Bureau of Statistics of China, ranking 28. ChemChina remains the first among the industry of chemical materials and chemical products.

Former ministers of the Ministry of Chemical Industry.

Model of a molecule

The hall tells the story of ChemChina and its main business includes sectors on advanced and specialty chemicals, oil processing, raw materials, agro-chemicals, rubber processing and science research & development.

(China Daily September 27, 2008)