Though the international chemical industry will surely be one of the 21st century's most important, there have been few academic studies of government-chemical industry relations. This study draws on interviews with key individuals in firms, organizations and government bodies to compare the industry's relationship with government in Britain and West Germany. The authors also focus on wider issues of European Community decisions, the impact of national governments, and the industry's pattern of industrial relations to provide new insights into a key growth industry and the effects of internationalization on government-industry cooperation.