ICIS - Search Articles by Date : May 30 2011 - June 05 2011

Costs key to auto interest in carbon fiber
BMW's i3 is leading carbon fiber-reinforced plastic into the mainstream of auto manufacturing Over the past 40 years, the demand for carbon.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

OEMs raise the bar for auto seating
Regulatory demands for lower fuel consumption and greater safety mean auto makers are pushing for less weight with greater performance .... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Global autmotive sector skids, impacting chemicals, but long-term growth prospects intact
The Japan earthquake and tsunami are having lasting effects, disrupting the chemical chain in the near term. But the long-term growth story remains.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Are you resilient and agile?
These two qualities are in demand as companies strive to combat volatility and uncertainty. An ICIS/Accenture survey launches today, to gauge the.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

News Focus: Momentive CEO Craig Morrison positions for downstream and emerging market growth in epoxy and phenolic resins
CEO Craig Morrison to direct investments in specialty businesses and BRIC countries US-based specialty chemicals and materials company .... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Saudi automotive cluster boosts plastics projects
Saudi Arabia's plans to attract car manufacturers to the country hinge on the development of supplier networks and the production of key materials.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Commentary: Goldman Sachs rescues commodities, including chemicals
Did major US-based investment bank Goldman Sachs come to the rescue of the commodities market with its bullish... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Commentary: Autos back on track
  The auto industry is now in recovery mode Rex features The chemical industry relies heavily on the.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

This weeks world news
GERMANY'S BASF TO BUILD TDI PLANT IN EUROPE German chemical major BASF plans to build the world's largest single-train toluene di-isocyanate.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

What's on: Confused by Base Oils?
Confused by Base Oils? ICIS is organizing Base Oils training seminars in Houston for September 7-9. Base Oils I (September 7): This course.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

US chemical profile: ABS
USES Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) is the largest-volume engineering thermoplastic resin. ABS exhibits a wide range of properties, which.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Inorganics: US chlor-alkali rates drop in April
more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Titanium dioxide market moves with price hikes, capacity additions and an asset for sale
more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

New projects and permanent plant shutdowns
NEW PROJECTS AND PERMANENT PLANT shutdowns may 17-23, 2011 NEW PROJECTS Company Location .... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Russia plans six cracker-based petrochemical clusters
  Russia's ambitious plans aim to make petrochemicals a priority Rex Features Russian authorities reveal 10-year.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Projects news in brief
IRANIAN METHANOL PROJECT AIMS FOR 2014 Aryan Petrochemical Co's 1.65m tonne/year methanol project at Assaluyeh is on track to come on stream in.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Czech Spolchemie studies glycerine-based ECH expansion
Czech firm Spolchemie studies glycerin-based ECH expansion Spolchemie is considering an ­expansion of its 28,000 tonne/year epichlorohydrin.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Polymers: Asia polycarbonate prices soften on weak demand
  Demand for PC will be fuelled by Asian auto growth Rex Features Additional capacity and.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Polymers: PVC prices hold steady in Asia
PVC prices remain steady to soft as buying interest remains weak. Meanwhile, feedstock availability remains limited Import prices for.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Polymers news in brief
JAPAN POLYSTYRENE OUTPUT RISES IN APRIL Japan's production of polystyrene (PS) increased by 25% in April over the previous month to 69,597.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Intermediates news in brief
US PERC BREAKS $1/LB US spot perchloroethylene (perc) prices surged above the $1.00/lb level for the first time. Perc prices were assessed during.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Intermediates: Acrylate increases in US dubbed a 'dangerous game'
Buyers receptive to inviting a fourth player into the US acrylates market, says consultant Acrylate producers in the US are playing a.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Intermediates: EU spot ACN falls with end of INEOS FM
INEOS lifted the force majeure (FM) on its 300,000 tonne/year acrylonitrile (ACN) plant in Cologne, Germany, during the week ending May 20. Spot.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Feedstocks news in brief
INCREASED OIL OPEC OUTPUT IMPROBABLE It is unlikely that OPEC will announce plans to increase its oil output despite increasing pressure to do.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Energy and feedstocks: Asia naphtha slated to fall as crude oil declines
European market sluggish thanks to the collapse in the gasoline-naphtha spread Asia naphtha prices are expected to fall, partly triggered by.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Key chemical prices
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(30 May 2011 00:00)

Chemical market trends: Markets set for softer June pricing levels
A major producer said there have been three initial European ethylene (C2) contract... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Petrochemicals: Easing supply suggests peak for Asian BD but prices still rise
Contrary to expectations, the end of Shell Chemicals' shutdown has not halted the upsurge Asian butadiene (BD) spot prices have continued.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Petrochemicals:Monthly margins boosted by crude drop
The decline in crude oil prices has proved a boon to Asian ethylene producers and has provided for the best average monthly margins for around 12.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Petrochemicals: methanol sellers seek natural gas
Canadian methanol producer Methanex is pursuing opportunities to obtain natural gas so that it can restart a second 850,000 tonne/year plant in.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Petrochemicals: Asia PX supply stays tight to 2013
A shortfall in PX supply will dominate Asian PTA markets until new capacity starts up in India and the Middle East Supply of paraxylene (PX).... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Market intelligence: Capacity additions call supercycle argument into question
  A spate of overbuilding threatens the supercycle Rex Features Significant petrochemical capacity additions.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

Think tank: Petrochemical feedstock fears drive biotech partnerships
Chemical majors currently see industrial biotechnology primarily as a way to supplement existing supply chains rather than as a source of novel.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

ICIS/LANXESS Gatefold: Green tires gain traction
LANXESS, the world's largest synthetic rubber producer, is looking to source renewable raw materials as an alternative to traditional fossil fuels .... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

ICIS/LANXESS Gatefold: Chemistry is driving innovation
The automotive industry is thriving amid increasing consumer awareness for low-carbon transportation Building on its resurgence in 2010, the.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

ICIS/LANXESS Gatefold: Producers play the weighting game
Fuel efficiency weighs heavily on the minds of automotive producers but high-tech plastics are providing the solution   .... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

ICIS/LANXESS Gatefold: New environmental regulations are set to improve fuel consumption
The rolling resistance of tires is responsible for a significant share of a car's fuel consumption. Greener tires and energy labeling are about to.... more
(30 May 2011 00:00)

FECC: Cutting the cost of trade
As distributors look ever wider to source materials, the issue of barriers to free trade becomes more important. Several initiatives may help drive.... more
(03 June 2011 18:38)

FECC: Commitment to sustainability is growing
Sustainability is becoming important for chemical distributors as they seek to improve their performance and play their part in the overall supply.... more
(03 June 2011 18:38)

FECC: Extended service brings added value
Specialty chemical distributors are offering added value through extra services and technical support, and are reaping the rewards this brings for.... more
(03 June 2011 18:38)

FECC: Learning to live within Reach
Compliance with the EU's ambitious chemicals risk assessment and risk management policy framework remains high on the agenda of actors throughout the.... more
(03 June 2011 18:38)

FECC:Turning challenge into opportunity
Distributors have enjoyed a strong bounce back from the recent downturn, having risen to many of the challenges in the market, says Fecc president.... more
(03 June 2011 18:39)

FECC: Effective advocacy is top priority for Fecc
Representing its members is the top priority for Fecc, but expansion of Responsible Care and membership are also high on the agenda of director.... more
(03 June 2011 18:39)

FECC: Majors up pace of foreign investment
Europe's leading distribution companies are increasingly looking outside the region for growth, with the Middle East, North Africa and India high on.... more
(03 June 2011 18:39)

FECC: Smiling faces... despite challenges ahead
Chemical distributors are performing well and investing to extend their services and technical capability; at the same time, M&A activity is on the.... more
(03 June 2011 18:39)

FECC: Setting out on the CSR path
Chemical distributors are beginning to realize the advantages of taking a formal approach to corporate social responsibility more
(03 June 2011 18:39)

FECC: Commentary
Europe's distributors meet in Austria's capital city Vienna for the Fecc's 47th annual congress at the start of June more
(03 June 2011 18:40)

Mergers and acquisitions actvity set to jump in 2011
Buyer interest rises as companies once again use M&A in their growth tool kits while financial buyers remain on the prowl. What's new on the selling.... more
(03 June 2011 18:41)

Commentary: Make sure you're on out Top 100 list!
ICIS Chemical Business journalists are busy ­researching the 2011 ICIS Top 100 Chemical ­Distributors list, for publication in our special July 18.... more
(03 June 2011 18:42)

Commentary: Ashland transforms with ISP acquisition
  Ashland is well on its way to higher margins The company will acquire ISP to continue its metamorphosis into a premier,.... more
(03 June 2011 18:42)