Looking back over your career, is there a particular moment when you clearly felt that chemical engineering was making a real and positive impact on society?
I chose to study chemical engineering because my mission was — and still is — to translate science into tangible benefits for society. One particularly meaningful moment was being part of the discovery and development of riociguat, a medicine used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension. It originated in our chemical laboratory at Bayer; I am a co-inventor, and years later I led the team that registered it in several Latin American countries. This work was recognised with the Otto Bayer Medal and through the publication of our results in Nature, a very significant milestone in my career as a scientist.
After more than 25 years at Bayer, leading areas such as Sustainability, HSE and Human Rights, you decided to move into academia. What motivated that change? And looking back, which lessons from your international experience are proving most valuable in your current role?
I thoroughly enjoyed my years at Bayer, but I increasingly felt the need to give back to the next generations everything I had learned. The opportunity to move into academia, within an ambitious, impact-driven project, came at exactly the right time. From my international experience in Germany, Mexico and the United States, among other countries, I take away one essential lesson: complex problems are best solved by combining different strengths. Collaboration across cultures makes us stronger.
The motto of MeCCE 2026 is “Transforming the Industry, Shaping the Future”. From your perspective, what role does chemical engineering play in transforming industry towards more sustainable models?
Although chemistry may currently seem to be experiencing a dip in popularity, it underpins everything around us, both living and non-living. Today, more than ever, we need chemical engineers who design processes from the outset with low emissions, responsible water use and reduced impact on raw materials.
In addition, we need professionals who collaborate actively and have the courage to speak up in both public debates and private forums on sustainability.
Circularity, decarbonisation, hydrogen, critical raw materials, artificial intelligence… Which of these challenges do you believe will demand the greatest innovation in the coming years?
All of them. Because the equation does not add up: the population continues to grow, per capita consumption is also increasing, and natural resources are finite and — even if we do not always pay for them directly — we now understand that they are not free. For the chemical industry, the major challenge lies in scaling up processes that respect natural capital at competitive costs that enable widespread adoption.
Moreover, the challenges go beyond technology: they require systemic changes that take into account both what is visible and what is less obvious. For example, the use of critical raw materials must be assessed alongside its impact on vulnerable communities involved in their extraction.
Which emerging technologies — such as hydrogen, chemical recycling or carbon capture systems — do you see as having the greatest potential for chemistry to act as a true driver of the sustainable transition?
Chemistry is already a real driver of the sustainable transition. We must acknowledge that end-of-value-chain solutions are often less effective. Therefore, technologies that reduce emissions at source — such as alternative energy systems — and those that reduce the use of virgin raw materials have greater potential than those applied at the end of the process, such as recycling or carbon capture. Beyond this, process innovation and digitalisation are key to more efficient and sustainable production.
We know that achieving sustainability at scale will not be easy. What do you see as the most difficult barriers for the chemical industry to overcome?
It is essential to rethink consumption and production models. To think long term, reflect on how needs evolve, and debate what is truly necessary.
The chemical industry has a significant opportunity to influence consumption habits by offering scalable, attractive solutions that are easy to adopt. But we must be aware that this is a marathon, not a sprint — and that it is worth the effort.
From your position in academia, which skills — beyond technical expertise — should chemical engineers develop to address these challenges? Do we need to rethink how chemical engineering is taught?
If I reflect on my own career, I make little use today of my specific technical expertise. However, being an engineer equipped me with skills that have stayed with me throughout my professional life: analytical thinking, hypothesis formulation and testing, and a systematic approach to problem-solving.
In addition, engineers need to make their voices heard. This requires strong communication skills, the courage to challenge prevailing views, systems thinking beyond technology, and a basic understanding of economics and finance. I firmly believe that educational models must evolve towards more holistic approaches, based on collaborative problem-solving and integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence, which are already part of the professional landscape.
Can chemical engineering also contribute to ensuring responsible supply chains that respect human rights? How do you envisage this?
By nature, the chemical industry operates through global supply chains, which gives it enormous potential for impact — both positive and negative. I would like to highlight two major opportunities for impact. The first is at sector level, through platforms and alliances that provide knowledge and tools to companies worldwide, especially smaller ones. The second is at individual company level, through direct dialogue with suppliers and customers to design models that respect human rights while fulfilling commercial agreements. This involves reviewing delivery times, fair pricing and safe, dignified working conditions. Controls and audits are necessary, but they are not sufficient to drive the deep change that many of us aspire to see.
In 2023 you were recognised as one of the Top 100 Women in German Industry and you advocate diversity as a key driver of innovation. How does this translate into practice? How does inclusive leadership specifically support sustainability?
Diversity is essential for innovation for three fundamental reasons: first, to serve a global customer base we need diverse experiences; second, accelerating innovation requires that everyone has equal opportunities to contribute; and third, diverse teams reach better solutions. Personally, I have focused on removing barriers in recruitment processes, recognising our own biases and exercising active leadership in this area.
A practical example: if, when hiring a chemical engineer today, I require more than ten years’ experience in production and international work experience, I can guarantee that most candidates will be men. If, in addition, the interview panel is composed entirely of men, we send a subliminal message that career progression in my company is male-dominated. Let us start by rethinking the true requirements of the role, selecting a diverse pool of candidates and ensuring a diverse interview panel. Then we hire the best person. Step by step, the organisation will change.
To accelerate the transition towards sustainable chemistry, what types of partnerships between industry, academia and the public sector do you consider essential?
Sustainable Development Goal 17 focuses on partnerships, and this is no coincidence. Complex problems do not have simple solutions, and cross-sector collaboration is essential.
Academia, industry, the public sector — and I would add civil society — are all key agents of change. Listening to what each stakeholder brings and needs is the foundation for building strong partnerships, both small- and large-scale. For example, the design of transition policies must include academic knowledge, the industrial perspective and the voice of civil society. It is not easy, but it is essential for progress.
Looking ahead to 2035, how do you envisage the chemical industry if sustainability targets are achieved?
According to the World Economic Forum 2025, five of the ten greatest risks to the global economy over the next decade are environmental in nature. Climate change and the green transition will continue to be major megatrends for job creation. I envisage a chemical industry that fully integrates sustainability into all its operations, creating resilient systems, reducing risks and environmental externalities, and demonstrating that investing in sustainability is not a cost, but an investment with returns.
Finally, what message would you like to share with MeCCE 2026 attendees about the role of chemical engineering in building a truly sustainable future?
You have chosen a profession with enormous potential to create real and positive impact in building a sustainable future — meeting the needs of the present without compromising those of future generations. Thank you for being here.
More information: https://www.mecce.org/
Photographs of Cristina Alonso Alija here
Photographs (Expoquimia 2023) here
Maria Dolores Herranz
Tel. +34 93 233 25 41
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