Chemical & Engineering News: Business 2003

Home » Business » 2003

Business Archives » 2011 & 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998

December 22, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

2003 INDUSTRY REVIEW

EUROPEAN BIOTECH

Vienna conference showcases a growing industry.

December 15, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

POLYMER R&D

Dutch Polymer Institute focuses research via a coalition of industry, academia, and government.

PROPANE DEHYDROGENATION

Process improvements and growing demand for propylene create a niche for this technology.

CARGILL'S AMBITIONS

Company plans to lead chemical industry into a new era based on renewable agricultural feedstocks.

December 8, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

FEED THE BEAST

Degussa breaks ground on its fourth methionine plant to support the growing market for feed additives.

KENNETT BURNES

C&EN talks with Cabot's CEO, who believes the company will grow by creating new businesses.

December 1, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

R&D GLOBALIZATION

Pharma R&D's increasing moves to low-cost locations abroad may hurt U.S. chemists.

LIFE SCIENCES IN THE OLD WEST

Though late in the game, Phoenix hopes to jump-start its own biotech boom.

INSIGHTS

Europe's proposed chemicals policy sparks a firestorm of letters to the editor of Financial Times.

November 24, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

INNOVATION

Academia, business partners, and customers join forces to develop new business.

BRAZIL'S PETROCHEMICALS

Mood was upbeat at a recent meeting in Rio de Janeiro as state oil company involvement grows.

UNA RYAN

C&EN talks with Avant Immunotherapeutics' president about the firm's philanthropy model.

November 17, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

PLASTICS ADDITIVES

Plastics industry has been in a slump, but new products and innovation in additives, including flame retardants, may provide a shot in the arm.

CHEMICAL EARNINGS

High raw material and energy costs continue to cause a decline in profits.

PHARMA EARNINGS

Sales rise for the first nine months of 2003, but industry profitability slips by almost a percentage point.

BIOTECH EARNINGS

Revenues and earnings climb again in third quarter.

ENDEAVOUR EXPANDS

British aroma chemicals firm moves into fine chemicals.

November 10, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

PHARMACEUTICAL INGREDIENTS

At CPhI in Frankfurt, opinions held that small-scale manufacturing capabilities and niche expertise could stimulate growth.

NEW R&D CENTER IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Chemical Synthesis Services opens state-of-the-art laboratories in Craigavon.

E-BUSINESS

November 3, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

PAINTS & COATINGS

New material advances provide bright spots--such as dazzling, sparkly paints--during what is shaping up as a lackluster year.

WHAT'S NEW IN KALAMAZOO?

Displaced chemists from closure of Pfizer's Michigan labs form several new companies.

INSIGHTS

Entrepreneurship offers U.S. chemists a ray of light in an otherwise dark economic forecast.

October 27, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

ELECTRONIC LAB NOTEBOOKS

ELNs are catching on because of the increase in information generated and the pressure to boost productivity.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

U.S. council of businesses hopes to reduce waste, safeguard resources, and increase profits.

PLASTIC BAGS IN TAIWAN

Curbing tendency to litter is goal of year-old ban on disposable plastic items.

October 20, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

EUROPEAN CONFAB

Society of Chemical Industry attendees focus on China, chemicals policy.

EMERGING THERAPEUTICS

Cancer drugs combining radioisotopes and monoclonal antibodies promise new source of profits.

PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH

Directors of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery discuss challenges at ACS-sponsored forum.

October 13, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

VENTURE CAPITAL

Corporate venture groups provide funding and a way for start-ups to win access to big pharma R&D.

SCI MEDALIST

Whitson Sadler, retired CEO of Solvay America, reflects upon his career.

THIRD-QUARTER STOCK PRICES

Chemical and biotech stocks show modest gains while drug stocks fall.

INDIAN PHARMA

Companies in the Asian subcontinent raise their profile within the global pharmaceutical industry.

SHELL'S POLYOLS

New polymer plant in the Netherlands is part of global investment strategy.

E-BUSINESS

News Updates For The World Of Business Online.

October 6, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

INNOVATIVE

Dow shifts its marketing focus to leverage company know-how in product development.

C&EN TALKS WITH

Chemist-cum-manager Werner Mueller made his way back to the lab by founding his own small process R&D firm.

INSIGHTS

European industry lags behind its competitors in turning R&D into profitable innovation.

WACKER DRIVE

German chemical firm brings new technologies to American automakers.

September 30, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

DUPONT'S CENTRAL R&D

Experimental Station celebrates its 100th anniversary and refocuses for the future.

SOCMA'S ANNUAL MEETING

New president plans to take a more proactive stance in legislative and regulatory efforts.

SABIC IN EUROPE

Integration of petrochemicals arm of DSM is progressing according to plan

September 22, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

FIX IT UP

New Schering-Plough CEO Fred Hassan works to turn the problem-plagued company around.

VENTURE CAPITAL

BASF keeps up with technology by investing in smaller companies.

GROWING CROPSCIENCE

Bayer has big plans for its agrochemicals unit.

September 15, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

CHINESE COMPETITIVENESS

Low prices of Chinese fine chemicals neglect costs paid by workers and the environment.

ADDITIVES ADD UP

Crompton's acquisition of GE's specialty chemicals strengthens the company.

September 8, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

September 1, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

PEPTIDE SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Rohm and Haas's new resin line targets large-scale, solid-phase peptide synthesis.

VIRTUAL PHARMA

Owning neither lab nor production facility, Japanese company provides drug development capabilities.

August 25, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

THE ROCHE DIET

Investors seem pleased by Roche's strategic slimming down into a pure pharmaceuticals company.

PETROCHEMICALS IN CANADA

Chemical makers are looking to oil sands as a massive source of hydrocarbons.

CHEMICAL TESTS IN JAPAN

Government is set to require ecotoxicity studies on chemicals.

EUROPEAN EARNINGS

Weak dollar drags down first-half sales and earnings for firms.

August 18, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

CHEMICAL EARNINGS

Second-quarter results are boosted by a few firms.

DRUG EARNINGS

Despite two quarters of sound sales growth, earnings gains for the first half were not as healthy.

BIOPHARMACEUTICAL EARNINGS

Revenues and earnings continue strong growth in the second quarter.

BREEDING PROFITS

Codexis' technology improves the production of drugs by microorganisms and offers hopes of big profits.

WORKFORCE ISSUES

ACS president meets with petrochemical industry executives.

August 11, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

SUPER NOVA?

The growing Canadian petrochemicals firm has a bright outlook.

MAKING FULLERENES

Frontier Carbon plans to be the world's first company to produce buckyballs in multiton quantities.

E-BUSINESS

News Update For The World Of Business Online

August 4, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

SMOOTH OPERATORS

Flourishing chip-polishing market entices chemical company newcomers.

CAREERS DISRUPTED

In turbulent times, some former Pharmacia chemists find work via relocation; others offer perspective on their jobless status.

WOMEN IN INDUSTRY

C&EN's annual survey of chemical firms' boards and top executives still shows an embarrassingly low representation of women.

INSIGHTS

Scientists must abandon their ivory towers and engage the public.

July 21, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

RIVALRY IN CHINA

World's top two acetic acid producers, BP and Celanese, compete to build a plant in Nanjing.

July 14, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

NATURAL GAS GAP

U.S. companies try to make up for shortage; government reconsiders conservation.

SECOND-QUARTER STOCK PRICES

Pharmaceutical and biotech stocks score double-digit gains; chemical companies show more modest improvement.

RUDOLF HANKO

C&EN talks with Bayer's head of fine chemicals about his unit's reorganization.

E-BUSINESS

New Updates For The World Of Business Online.

July 7, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

PLASTICS EXPO

National event showcases new products and innovations.

INSIGHTS

American Chemistry Council needs to get serious about approving its advertising plan.

June 30, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

BIOTECH IN SWEDEN

Collaboration between industry and Uppsala universities creates a thriving, modern biotech community.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Chemical companies license patents to boost income.

NORTHERN TIGER

Canadian chemical producers discuss strategy for the future.

June 23, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

ELECTRONIC CHEMICALS

Chemical companies bring their materials expertise to photonics and the semiconductor industry.

CHEMSPEC 2003

Specialty, fine, and custom chemicals makers try to ride out the prolonged economic slump.

June 16, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

TOP PRIZE

Companies throughout Europe have developed awards programs to recognize R&D talent.

NEW IMAGE

American Chemistry Council looks to American Plastics Council for key to positive public perception.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Dow Chemical, working with GM, will install hydrogen fuel cells at its plant in Freeport, Texas.

HINDSIGHTS

Current cycle of payroll declines creates a shaky employment situation for chemists.

June 9, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

JOHNSON MATTHEY'S PHARMA FORAY

Pharm-Eco, Macfarlan Smith add luster to established firm.

E-BUSINESS

News Update For The World Of Business Online

June 2, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

PLASTICS

Engineering industry boosts business with consolidations and new innovations; polyolefins licensors prepare for an upturn.

TACKLING INEFFICIENCY

Pharmaceutical industry streamlines manufacturing, information technology, and supply chains.

INSIGHTS

Top executives from the chemical and biotechnology industries meet to discuss collaboration.

May 26, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

RESPONSIBLE CARE

New security codes and verification assessments in the U.S. and Europe advance 15-year-old program to next level.

CHEMICAL LIBRARY

Wyeth has state-of-the-art storage system for thousands of compounds.

FEAR OF SARS

Frustration in chemical industry mounts over excessive reaction to the disease.

POLYMER PLAYER

Bayer charts course for an independent Bayer Polymers.

May 19, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

CHEMICAL EARNINGS

First-quarter earnings are a mixed bag.

PHARMACEUTICAL EARNINGS

Overall, drug companies' sales are up in first quarter, but earnings slip.

BIOTECH EARNINGS

Biopharm firms' revenues and earnings jump.

INDUSTRY INNOVATION

Conference stresses collaboration.

May 12, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

PALLADIUM MEDALIST

Vincent A. Calarco, Crompton's CEO, is solidly optimistic about future contributions of chemical industry.

ROHNER EXPANDS

Contract fine chemicals firm hopes to fill new plant despite market slump.

CDMA WRAPUP

Speakers at marketing association meeting ponder chemical industry's future.

E-BUSINESS

News Updates For The World Of Business Online.

May 5, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

POWER TRIANGLE

North Carolina's Research Triangle Park is a boomtown of biotech start-ups.

PATENT REVAMP

European Union compromises allow for a lower cost patent valid for the entire bloc.

BRASKEM'S TROUBLES

New Brazilian petrochemical giant works to tie up structural loose ends and reduce its debt.

INSIGHTS

For specialty chemicals business, bigger has not proven to be better.

April 28, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

CHINESE VENTURES

Partnerships to build ethylene crackers take shape and proceed apace.

ISP'S STAYING POWER

Employee emphasis on customer service is immune from corporate politics.

April 21, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

FOOD CERTIFICATION

Stamping ingredients as kosher and halal requires a knowledge of both religion and chemistry.

April 14, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

SPECIALTY CHEMICALS

High feedstock costs, energy prices, and overcapacity have stalled the synthetic rubber and rubber chemicals industries.

INDIA'S BIOCON

Tenacious female brewer founded a biotechnology firm that's growing impressively.

STOCKS FALL

Numerous concerns cause share prices to drop in first quarter.

PETROCHEMICAL BLUES

The industry continues to suffer under a recession, overcapacity, and uncompetitive raw materials.

E-BUSINESS

News Updates For The World Of Business Online.

April 7, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

DIVERSA

Company boosts its portfolio with partnerships, new enzyme products, and various development projects.

BIOTECH

Venture-capital investment in biotech start-ups drops for second year in a row.

CHINA

Industry hub brings chemical companies together for mutual benefit.

INSIGHTS

For a number of reasons, the chemical industry has avoided financial scandals like Enron's.

March 31, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

ESSENTIAL MINERALS

Nanosized particles of TiO₂ take on unusual properties that chemists hope to exploit.

EMPLOYMENT TRENDS

Sharp drop in chemical jobs since 1999 is part of a gradual long-term decline.

AEROJET REENGINEERED

Fine chemicals unit pulls out of a tailspin, focusing on hazardous chemistry and chiral separations.

March 24, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

MULTINATIONALS IN CHINA

Shanghai is the city of choice for many foreign firms setting up R&D operations.

INFORMEX

At annual conference, fine chemicals makers look to expanding technologies and debate the importance of biologics.

March 17, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

PETROCHEMICAL PROSPECTS

The petrochemical market struggles to rebound but is stymied by high oil and gas prices, and a possible war in Iraq.

DRUG EARNINGS

Although the pharmaceutical industry struggled in 2002, numbers rose slightly for major drug firms.

BIOTECH EARNINGS

Despite stumbling blocks, new products and expanding sales boosted fourth-quarter revenues.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

At Accelrys' first major user conference, attendees express concerns and ask tough questions.

CONTRACT MANUFACTURING

BASF's fledgling business shows promising initial results.

March 10, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

EXPANSIVE PLANS

Diosynth hopes new plant and acquisitions make it a more versatile supplier of pharmaceutical actives.

E-RECORD RULE RETHOUGHT

FDA reviews electronic data filing rule, which has been a source of confusion and high cost to industry.

PERKIN MEDALIST

William H. Joyce is recognized for his involvement in the creation of the Unipol process.

E-BUSINESS

News Updates For The World Of Business Online.

March 3, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

Corporate activity dropped last year compared with the boom years of the mid- to late-1990s.

HAIR COLOR

Improvements in hair dye chemistry offer more choices to consumers of all ages.

SURFACTANTS

Sasol's acquisition of Condea marries technology depth and market position.

ANTIDUMPING IN ASIA

China issues tough rulings but is becoming more precise in its regulations.

INSIGHTS

China may be the darling of foreign investors, but India should not be overlooked.

February 24, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

CHEMICAL EARNINGS

Strong improvement in the fourth quarter shows many chemical companies gaining momentum.

UCB EXPANDS

Belgian firm will boost chemicals with acquisition of Solutia units.

STEPHANIE BURNS

C&EN talks with Dow Corning's new chief operating officer, a Ph.D. chemist.

CARGILL'S RENEWABLES

Initiative spurs production of chemicals from agricultural resources.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

In China, companies are setting up call centers for chemical spills.

February 17, 2003

CUSTOM CHEMICALS

Although observers predict another tough year for pharmaceutical custom manufacturing and synthesis, suppliers have multiple avenues for growth.

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

EUROPEAN 2002 FINANCIAL WRAP-UP

Performance of chemical firms shows modest improvement over 2001.

BETTING ON GLUCOSAMINE

U.S. firms are hoping new technology gives them the edge over low-cost Chinese suppliers.

February 10, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

CLASS PORTRAIT

C&EN examines statistics on the chemistry graduating class of 1999?2000 at all degree levels and compares them with previous years.

E-COMMERCE

Progress in adopting e-business varies from firm to firm across the chemical industry.

U.K. CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

A thriving industry's reputation suffers from a low profile.

E-BUSINESS

News Updates For The World Of Business Online.

February 3, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

CAPITAL SPENDING

Most chemical firms see signs of economic recovery and say they plan to spend more aggressively on capital projects in 2003; many will increase R&D spending.

PEMEX' BIG PLANS

Mexican state oil company may finally make better use of rich oil reserves.

INDUSTRIAL BIOTECH SURGE

Firms shifting from fossil-based to bio-based raw materials enter a potentially huge market.

INSIGHTS

The pros and cons of hiring an outsider to separate offices of CEO and chairman.

January 27, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

PHARMA BUSINESS

Biotech and pharmaceutical industries wrestle with large- versus small-molecule drug strategies while financial performance declines.

EUROPEAN UNION

Major effort aims to smooth integration of Eastern European chemical industries as union expands.

RETOOLED CELANESE

After a rough start, the firm has both downsized and invested in its strengths.

January 20, 2003

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

SOAPS AND DETERGENTS

The global chemical industry is finally showing signs of recovery, but economic or political instability could bring it crashing down again.

ANTITRUST POLICING

Europeans take the lead in rooting out international price-fixing cartels.

CHINA'S ENERGY CRUNCH

Country hopes coal liquefaction will reduce pollution and foreign energy dependency.