ICIS - Search Articles by Date : January 17 2005 - January 23 2005

Spanish merger?
Talk is rife that Spain’s two main chemical firms are again thinking of consolidating and creating a Barcelona-based business giant. Ivan Castano.... more
(21 January 2005 15:46)

Getting in shape
Spolchemie’s epoxy plant in the Czech Republic, a jv with Japan’s DIC, is the world’s newest. The company hopes to match the latest technology with a.... more
(21 January 2005 15:46)

Nexen to Spin Off Chemicals
To finance a more than $2 billion oil and gas purchase, Canadian energy company Nexen Inc. is looking to spin off its chemicals business in a move.... more
(21 January 2005 20:46)

Oils Spot Prices
LATE SPOT PRICES more
(21 January 2005 20:46)

Supply Pressures Continue for Global Oleochemicals Market
Despite slight relief from improved pricing for fatty acids and fatty alcohols, the global supply of fatty acids and glycerine continues to outpace.... more
(21 January 2005 20:46)

Ethylene Glycol Set For a Strong 2005
Despite a recent decline in spot and contract pricing, the global market for ethylene glycol remains poised for a strong 2005 thanks to healthy.... more
(21 January 2005 20:46)

Petrochemicals in Brief
BTX January bids were in the $2.86 per gallon range while offers were about 10c. higher. At least one deal was completed earlier in the week at $2.92.... more
(21 January 2005 20:46)

Pharma in Brief
LYSINE BASF’s Human Nutrition business is increasing prices for food-grade lysine for all customers in North America, effective immediately, as.... more
(21 January 2005 20:46)

Information Technology Insights: The New Oracle Goes to Battle Against Enterprise Resource Planning Rival SAP
Following the completion of its $10.3 billion acquisition of PeopleSoft Inc. late last month, Oracle Corp. has emerged as the second leading.... more
(21 January 2005 20:46)

Roche Offers Contract Peptide Manufacturing
Roche Colorado, a subsidiary of Roche, will open up its peptides production resources to offer contract manufacturing services on a commercial scale.... more
(21 January 2005 20:46)

Sigma-Aldrich Expands SAFC Custom Biz With $370 MM Acquisition
Sigma-Aldrich Corp. announced at the Informex trade show last week that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the JRH Biosciences division.... more
(21 January 2005 20:46)

Sabic Loses $417 Million Appeal
An appeal by Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (Sabic) has been dismissed by the Supreme Court of Delaware, and Sabic will now be required to pay about.... more
(21 January 2005 20:46)

Wacker to Use ProThera as Biologics Launching Pad
Using its recent acquisition of German pharmaceutical protein spe-cialist ProThera, Wacker-Chemie GmbH plans to build its capabilities in the.... more
(21 January 2005 20:46)

Jobs and People
Comings and goings in the chemical industry. more
(21 January 2005 20:46)

Asia cools down
After enjoying a spectacular 2004, the petrochemical industry faces a quieter year, but with margins still at a decent level. A gentle slowdown has.... more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Still on a high
Rising customer resistance is likely to cap price hikes this year. But any decline in prices is unlikely to be severe. Prema Viswanathan reports more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Slower year
Measures to control China’s rapid economic growth are finally taking effect and the country is expected to report lower GDP growth in 2005 more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Japan adjusts
Weakness in the Japanese economy is expected to continue, but experts predict the decline will be short-lived and that the economy will bounce back.... more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Trouble looms
The South Korean government is serious about reviving the economy, but long-awaited structural reforms are needed to get the country on the road to.... more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Thai economy to slow
Besides the recent tsunami, high oil prices, avian flu, and violence in the south have caused economic predictions for the country to fall slightly more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Indonesia is safe
The recent earthquake brought havoc in its wake, but it’s not all bad news for the worst-hit country more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Strengthening ties
Taiwan has been making moves towards a closer relationship with China even as economic imperatives reduce the possibility of a conflict more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Booming down under
Prospects for Australia continue to look healthy as the economy operates at close to full capacity, while New Zealand is also seeing moderate growth more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Electronic chems & pharma lead
Asian speciality chemical producers will be expanding capacities, thanks to the good returns enjoyed last year, with electronic chemicals and.... more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Positive forecast
Strong industrial growth and favourable economic conditions are expected to continue in 2005, keeping alive investors’ interest in India more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Malaysia decelerates
The economy is likely to shift gear in reaction to a slowdown in the global economy and the electronics industry more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Singapore surges ahead
Singapore was the second-fastest growing economy in Asia after China in 2004 even as it re-emerged as a destination of choice for petrochemical.... more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

US Trends: Prices keep on climbing
Last year saw major catch-ups in operating rates and profitability in North America, leading to a strong start in 2005 for the industry more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

LG builds ABS in Daya Bay
LG CHEM has decided to go ahead with an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) project in Daya Bay, Huizhou, Guangdong, China. more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Methanol project put on hold
HEGANG Mining Industry Group has put its methanol project on hold owing to a lack of funds, according to a company source. more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

YPC awaits SBR approval
YANGZI Petrochemical Co (YPC) has submitted a feasibility study to its parent company, Sinopec, on a 100 000 tonne/year emulsion-styrene butadiene.... more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

New PTA project in Shandong
JINAN Zhenghao Advanced Fibre Co plans to build a 500 000 tonne/year purified terephthalic acid (PTA) plant in Jinan, Shandong, China. more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Nod soon for private firm PX
CHINA’s first privately owned paraxylene (PX) plant looks likely to secure government approval soon, said a source close to the project. more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Polyester project in Shaoxing
ZHEJIANG South Holding Group is to build facilities to produce 180 000 tonne/year of polyethylene terephthalate fibre-grade chips, 100 000 tonne/year.... more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Mitsubishi approval in H1?
THE Chinese government is expected to grant final approval to a Mitsubishi Chemical-led purified terephthalic acid (PTA) project in Ningbo, Zhejiang,.... more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Tax hike = later payback
A POSSIBLE corporate tax hike for foreign investors in China would extend the payback period for their projects and create discontent among companies.... more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Kolon changes tack on jobs
KOLON Industries is changing tack on its restructuring programme by seeking to trim about a third of its workforce of around 3000, a company source.... more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

India VAT could lower petchems’ costs
A VALUE-ADDED tax could benefit India’s petrochemical industry by lowering costs and making it more competitive, analysts and industry players told.... more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Specialities roundup
WACKER-Chemie and US-based Dow Corning are believed to be investing about US$1bn in their silicone and silica joint venture and associated.... more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

NK takes over NH3-based biz
MITSUBISHI Chemical has completed the transfer of its ammonia-based business to its subsidiary, Nippon Kasei (NK), a Mitsubishi source said. more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Unichem to acquire API plant
WITH the introduction of a new pharmaceutical patent regime on 1 January this year – and the expected increased competition from other players –.... more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Fibres Intermediates Report: Capro bounces back
Producers are hiking contract offers for February, on tightness and robust demand. PTA offers also rise. But acrylonitrile and MEG soften more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Demand boosts PA prices
ASIAN phthalic anhydride (PA) producers were optimistic that prices would rise in the coming months on the back of increased demand and an.... more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Acrylo prices to pick up in Feb?
ASIAN acrylonitrile producers were expecting markets to turn bullish in mid-February, when demand would strengthen as buyers rush in to replenish.... more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Asian styrene to stay firm despite glut
ASIAN styrene prices were expected to stay firm in Q1 2005 on the back of high benzene costs despite an excess supply of approximately 70 000 tonne.... more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Market Trends: Styrene softens
Increasing supply has led to a fall in styrene and prices are likely to continue falling over the Lunar New Year. Benzene values have remained firm more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Market Trends: Ethylene on the rise
Despite weak demand, ethylene prices are increasing, although it is unclear whether the surge can be sustained. Elsewhere, prices are rising or are.... more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Global roundup
From stories supplied by the CNI and ACN teams. more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

India seeks PSF tax cuts
INDIAN producers of polyester staple fibre (PSF) and polyester filament yarn (PFY) were hoping to ramp up their operating rates to 100% in March. more
(21 January 2005 15:38)

Wanted: clear-cut corporate vision
SAP is proving to be a popular ERP tool, but all too easily things can go wrong. Dale Vile looks at the key factors that drive a successful ERP.... more
(21 January 2005 15:46)