Aug. 09, 2011

Euro Chlor Highlights Changes in Chlor-Alkali Industry

The industry federation Euro Chlor distributed its 2009-2010 annual report in April at its chlorine technology conference & exhibition under the title, "The spectre of substitution calls for vigilance." While this holds true for all branches of the chemical industry, the chlorine-alkali sector often finds itself at the center of debate when it comes to issues such as the Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS); many environmental lobby groups have been pushing for a ban on organochlorines, organobromides and PVC for use in electric appliances. moreAug. 07, 2011

Cloud Computing in the Chemical Industry

Evolving Technology - Most chemicals companies still are at an early stage in their adoption and usage of cloud computing, but the industry's structure and prevailing trends mean it is well-positioned to leverage major benefits from this emerging technology. With cost pressures increasing due to high and volatile commodity prices, and intensifying global competition driving a need for greater operational excellence, chemicals businesses need to achieve a fundamental reduction in their underlying cost base. moreAug. 02, 2011

Carbon Nanotubes in Conductive Coatings

Initial Steps- Even if early indications for the existence of carbon nanotubes (CNT) date back to a Russian publication from the 1950s, detailed research on carbon nanotubes is not considered to have really started until 1991. At that time, Prof. Sumio Iijima observed carbon nanotubes with electron microscopy, and a new field of carbon research began. Nowadays, carbon nanotubes are increasingly losing their status as a curiosity. Today's production capacity has increased enormously over the last few years, and hundreds of tons are produced to satisfy market demand. moreJul. 28, 2011

T.A. Cook Study Shows Potential to Win Customers in Turnaround/Shutdown Projects

All Encompassing - A T.A. Cook survey is the first study to address the supply and demand ends for shutdown/turnaround (TAR) projects in the process industry and provides an all-encompassing and detailed market overview for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. moreJul. 28, 2011

Ethernet: Saving Time And Money

A Leap Forward - In process engineering, most signals are still transmitted in analog form - and Shaw Industries, the world's largest carpet manufacturer, was no exception. Until the company dared to take a great leap forward and converted a dye line to Ethernet. moreJul. 27, 2011

Boston Consulting Group On Global Megatrends

Just A Word? - The word "megatrend" is a beloved buzzword - but what implications will these trends have on the chemical industry? The Boston Consulting Group's Udo Jung examines value creation in the industry and offers this warning: "Chemicals companies will not differentiate themselves with colorful pictures in their annual reports and glowing accounts of megatrends' assumed automatic benefits for their businesses." moreJul. 20, 2011

Global Specialty Chemicals is a World of Extremes

A Fragmented Industry - The global specialty chemicals industry has revenues in excess of $550 billion and is quite fragmented with 350 industry sub-segments and considerable geographic diversity. While the industry provided considerable growth and added value characteristics through the early 1990s, it has been on the path of commoditization for over a decade.

The economic crisis that peaked in 2009 featured a significant decline of revenues in North America and Europe but comparatively better performance among Asian specialty chemical sectors.

moreJul. 20, 2011

Chemical Distribution: Three Attractive Markets

Desirable Markets - The area of life sciences covers nutrition, health and wellness of animals and humans. As such, several segments of this industry are attractive to chemical distributors, in particular pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics. Chemical distributors supply these segments with ingredients, additives, excipients and processing aids. From a producer's perspective, the attractiveness of these segments is typically defined by relevant market size, growth, profitability and sustainability. more