A Chemical Industry Vision 2020 sub-committee was established in June 2004 and chartered with the responsibility of identifying research and development needs for separation technology to drive equilibrium processes for the Chemical and Petrochemical Industry. This study focused on the anticipated drivers and requirements of the chemical and petrochemical industries. Chemical production processes were selected for review. This report, the first in a series, is directed to commercial, industrial hydrogen production. The growing requirements for hydrogen in chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining and the new emerging clean energy concepts will place greater demands on sourcing, production capacity and supplies. An overview of the Chemical Industry Vision 2020 will be given during this presentation.