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Chemicals and the Economy

Can oil prices stay at $100/bbl forever?

Sometimes the blog’s mind goes back to its happy days in Houston, Texas, when it set up and ran ICI’s feedstock and petchems trading office.  And it thinks through the factors that it would have considered when deciding whether to buy, sell or sit on the sidelines. The memory came back during last week’s lively ACS webinar, when […]

US shale revolution puts squeeze on European chemicals groups

The Financial Times has carried an excellent analysis this week of the key shale gas issues facing the European chemical industry.  It includes comments from a number of CEOs, as well as from the blog.  Its key points are as follows: THE STRATEGIC DILEMMA “European petrochemical makers risk being squeezed between low-cost producers in the Middle East […]

ACS webinar on Thursday

Will 2014 finally be the year of economic recovery? There are signs of a stronger economy in the US and Europe. Pharma is shifting and downsizing as it works. How will all of this affect you in 2014? The blog will discuss these and other key issues with American Chemical Society chairman Bill Carroll, in its regular Chemistry […]

“No pain, no gain” the outlook for China in 2014

Its been a great year for polyethylene (PE) demand growth in China.  But whether this relates to real or speculative demand, and whether it will continue next year, is another story.  As the chart shows, with trade data from Global Trade Information Services: Overall demand has surged 14% in 2013 (red column) versus 2011 (blue) […]

Nelson Mandela dies aged 95

The blog would like to pay its respects to Nelson Mandela, who died overnight. Everyone will have their own memories of the great man, their own sense of his character. The blog will most remember his leadership through the long dark years of apartheid.  And perhaps even more importantly, his forgiveness when finally he was released […]

European oil travels the world as market complacency increases

The blog has a suggestion for a quiz question for anyone planning party games over the Christmas period: Q.  What was the longest distance travelled by a cargo of crude oil in 2013? A.  9000 km (5500 miles) from Scotland to China Isn’t that amazing?  We are constantly being told that supply is short, and that today’s high prices are […]

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