The U.S. Department of State’s Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) with support from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) completed a virtual 3-day workshop entitled “Strengthening Chemical Supply Chain Security Capability – Maturity Models.” The purpose of the event, which took place on August 19-21, 2025, was to train facilitators from Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines and Indonesia, in improving the security of their chemical supply chains.

Two new self-assessment tools, the Chemical Security Assessment Model (CSAM) and the Chemical Life Cycle and Supply Chain Security (CLiCS) Maturity Model were presented at the workshop. These models are designed to evaluate and improve the resilience of organizations and facilities handling chemicals against potential threats from malicious actors.

The train-the-trainer course convened personnel from industry, academia, and government to teach them how to assess their security measures systematically. They participated in interactive discussions and tabletop exercises, facilitated by Dr. Radha Motkuri and Kristine Arthur- Durett, to explore the practical application of the models. Among the participants were officers from the Samahan sa Pilipinas ng mga Industriyang Kimika (SPIK), Pigmentex, Inc., RI Chemicals, TNC Chemicals, Pioneer Adhesives, Caldic Philippines, and the UP Manila.

The event also served as an opportunity for SPIK President Engr. Gretchen F. Enarle and Dr. Mas Ayu Elita Hafizah from Responsible Care Indonesia (RCI) to present the current state of chemical security within their countries. This webinar demonstrates the value of international cooperation in confronting the worldwide threat to chemical facilities and supply chains posed by potential security risks. Through equipping local actors with sophisticated security mechanisms, the workshop adds to the overall stability and security of the critical infrastructure of the region.