ICIS Blogs : chemical sales

Gasoline markets slip, financial markets stumble

Chemicals & The Economy — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:47:44 GMT

Yesterday's financial market action was very revealing. As Olivier Jakob of Petromatrix perceptively describes it, "liquidation on gasoline led to a correction in crude oil, which in turn pressured equity markets". The problem is that financial...(read more)

China aims to reduce imports

Chemicals & The Economy — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:16:26 GMT

China has been a major beneficiary of the globalisation movement in recent years. In turn, it has become a tremendous importer of most chemicals. It accounts for up to 50% of total demand for many Asian chemical producers, and is a critical factor in...(read more)

Auto suppliers face difficult time as bankruptcies rise

Chemicals & The Economy — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:31:06 GMT

The decline in auto sales is now threatening many industry suppliers around the world: • Today , the main Japanese car parts group has warned that "Toyota's production cuts will cause bankruptcies among suppliers if the government restricts aid...(read more)

US home sales keep falling

Chemicals & The Economy — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 07:24:22 GMT

Kevin Swift at the American Chemistry Council issued a new 2009 Outlook this week. His analysis suggests that we will see a V-shaped recession, as the "massive stimulus being injected into the US and other world economies will foster demand and a...(read more)

Consumers prioritise "needs" versus "wants"

Chemicals & The Economy — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:47:19 GMT

The current recession is the blog's fourth, after those of the mid-1970s, and of the early 1980's and 1990's. It is, however, already different from these, as it is the only one which has led to comparisons being made with the 1930's Great...(read more)

Crisis "more serious than the 1930's"

Chemicals & The Economy — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:28:40 GMT

Last August , the blog noted that politicians were beginning to wake up to the scale of the current crisis. There are still many politicians (and businessmen) who still hope we are facing just a 'normal recession'. But last week , IMF head Dominique...(read more)

Global chemical production down 4.4% in November

Chemicals & The Economy — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:43:49 GMT

Global chemical production is now falling at an alarming rate, down over 4% in November, as core demand from housing/construction and auto markets collapses. Only the Middle East is now seeing positive growth year-on-year. As the chart shows (using ACC...(read more)

Chemical production growth goes negative

Chemicals & The Economy — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 08:48:04 GMT

The chart, taken from the weekly ACC report, shows just how badly chemical production has been hit in recent months: N America. This has been worst affected, with volumes down 12% in November versus 2007. W Europe/CEE. Both regions were down 3% in October...(read more)