10.12.2010

Dr. Hubert Fink To Head Lanxess’ Basic Chemicals Business Unit

On Jan. 1 Dr. Hubert Fink, head of Lanxess' Semi-Crystalline Products (SCP) business unit, will take on a new position at the helm of the Basic Chemicals (BAC) business unit. He will succeed Dr. Hans-Georg Schmitt, who is retiring. CHEManager Europe spoke to both of them about what has already been achieved and the future of BAC.
CHEManager Europe: Dr. Schmitt, you've been in charge of the basic chemicals business for 10 years. What's changed during that time? more20.07.2010

An Evolving Model

Dow Corning jumped into unchartered waters back in 2002 with the launch of its Xiameter brand. Designed as an affordable way for the company's customers to buy standard silicones online, the business model was the first of its kind in the chemical industry. In 2009, the company revamped the model to offer more services to cater to more customer needs - making it something of an Amazon.com) for silicones.

Now that all Xiameter products can only be purchased via the website, many of the company's customers have to rethink the way they do business. more23.06.2010

Downstream Oil Construction Costs Continue to Rise

The cost of building oil refineries and petrochemical plants continues to rise, even as the downstream refining business suffers from poor margins, as costs rise along with the global economic recovery, consultancy IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates said on Wednesday. The costs of designing and constructing downstream refining and petrochemical projects rose 1.5% from the third quarter of 2009 to the first quarter of 2010, according to IHS CERA's Downstream Capital Costs Index (DCCI). more