This presentation summarizes the results of a study that analyzed the potential impact of materials by design using nanotechnology on energy efficiency, waste reduction & economic competitiveness for the chemical industry. It considered four specific benefits for the chemical industry, petroleum refining, automotive industry, maritime industry, manufacturing, and natural gas: increased selectivity and activity of catalysts by controlling pore size and particle characteristics, replacing precious metal catalysts by catalysts tailored at the nanoscale, more resistant hard coatings which improve manufacturing and eliminate the need for chromium electroplating, and membranes by design that can remove unwanted molecules from gases or liquids by controlling pore size and membrane characteristics.