To most of our readers, Australia is known as the country of kangaroos. Few of those involved in the chemical trade know that Australia boasts a chemical industry with a structure, products and strategies as particular as its fauna. As the industry finds itself in the endgame of transforming from import-substitution to providing high-value added chemicals and services, it looks back on two decades of change – and a challenging future ahead. Reasons enough to have a look at the continent’s rich chemical past, present and future.