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December 20, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

2004 INDUSTRY REVIEW

The upturn is no longer elusive, and although challenges remain, prosperity is finally returning to the chemical industry.

PHARMA CONTRACT MANUFACTURING

At CPhI 2004 in Brussels, fine and custom chemical manufacturers say the market is not fully revived.

MEDICHEM'S PROGENY

Former employees of contract research firm have yielded numerous companies and ventures.

December 13, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

MICROWAVE-ASSISTED SYNTHESIS

Pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms are increasingly taking up this technology.

WARWICK'S POLYMERS

Spin-off company looks to move its polymer technology into the pharmaceutical arena.

December 6, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

PHARMA REVIEW

Competition from generics, pricing pressures, cost containment, and regulatory issues are among the problems the pharmaceutical industry is facing.

VENTURE CAPITAL

Investment managers at four U.S. chemical companies describe their strategies.

MICROREACTORS

Start-up firm gets in on the emerging multi-million-dollar market.

DOW IN ARGENTINA

Projects give firm a foothold in South America, despite regional challenges.

INSIGHTS

Chemists should embrace, not fear, the changes occurring in their discipline.

November 29, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

OLIGONUCLEOTIDES

Therapeutic setbacks give pause to firms that supply the drug industry.

BUYER BEWARE

Rhodia's purchase of a Chinese producer revealed a dirty and dangerous workplace.

November 22, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

CYBERSECURITY

Chemical industry develops a strategy to combat possible threats from cyberspace.

BASF'S STRATEGY

Value over volume is working in intermediates division.

THAI PETROCHEMICALS

Petroleum Institute of Thailand sets ambitious plan.

LATIN AMERICA

Long-planned petrochemical complexes are coming to fruition.

MORPHOCHEM

New CEO steers firm toward a more commercial focus.

November 15, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

CHEMICAL EARNINGS

Companies have had four quarters of solid earnings growth.

PHARMA EARNINGS

Third-quarter results varied widely across drug firms.

BIOTECH EARNINGS

Overall rise in third-quarter earnings obscures the widening rift between profitable and unprofitable firms.

ENGELHARD

Surface and materials science firm branches out by buying cosmetic ingredients company.

CREATIVE MARKETING

Swiss flavors and fragrance firm Givaudan caters to cultural tastes in China.

November 8, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

RENEWABLE RESOURCES

Increases in the price of oil may drive specialty chemicals into a postpetroleum era.

CHINESE ECONOMY

Longer term prospects are good despite current problems.

PLASTICS & RUBBER

At K 2004 trade show, plastics makers express optimism, thanks to strong sales volumes.

November 1, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS

Arkema CEO Thierry Le H?naffnaff is determined to make Total's spin-off succeed.

CONDUCTIVE POLYMERS

Conference spotlights how far commercialization of light-emitting polymers has come.

INSIGHTS

A target inflation rate could moderate price increases and aid economic growth.

October 25, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

NANOMATERIALS

Firms seek to fill a niche as defense contractors.

REACH POLICY

EU's new members prepare themselves for impending chemical industry regulations.

GLOBAL PRESENCE

Cytec Industries makes a strategic move with the purchase of UCB's Surface Specialties.

October 18, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

PAINTS & COATINGS

Markets shift, regulations tighten, and the industry looks toward new technologies.

SHANGHAI VENTURE

Attention to safety does not hold up construction of BP-Sinopec petrochemical complex.

GLOBAL AGENDA

European chemical industry executives discuss problems and the means to confront them.

RHODIA

Pharma chemical unit moves into new facilities as part of corporatewide overhaul.

October 11, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

THIRD-QUARTER STOCKS

Chemical stocks continued to rise as biotech and drug sectors declined.

CHIRAL TECHNOLOGIES

Chemical stocks continued to rise as biotech and drug sectors declined.

PROCESS CHEMICALS

Specialty chemical strategies for the 21st century are clearly emerging in the concrete, dyes, paper, and leather industries.

October 4, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

FRIENDS OF ROCHE

Swiss drugmaker's competitive edge comes from its many partnerships with biotech companies.

FOREIGN WORKERS

Domestic chemists fear losing ground to skilled foreigners, while employers worry about finding enough skilled labor to meet demand.

September 27, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

DOW CORNING

With court supervision over, silicone product producer moves ahead with innovation and global expansion.

MOVING EAST

China and India provide low-cost alternatives for expanding chemical companies.

POWER STRUGGLES

Electricity shortages have had a pervasive impact on China's chemical industry.

September 20, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

EASTMAN PROFILE

Restructured company moves on to the next phase: growth.

SCIENCE SPINS OFF

Firm helps form companies based on science from universities.

STRUCTURAL PROTEOMICS

Biotechnology companies try to meet demand for contract research in this dynamic market.

September 13, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

A CHANGING INDUSTRY

U.S. synthetic rubber industry is weathering some rough times, but growth is coming.

BENZENE WOES

There's no end in sight to the rising cost of benzene.

RURAL RESEARCH PARK

With the help of three area counties, Penn State hopes to tap a state initiative and boost local economies.

September 6, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

GENE SILENCING

A number of firms are harnessing RNA interference for drug discovery purposes.

FINDING A NICHE

Chemical industry's chief information officers face new responsibilities in an ever-changing role.

CITRAL STRATEGY

BASF's new plant cranks up production of this important building block.

INSIGHTS

Despite better performance, U.S. chemical industry may get walloped by high energy costs.

August 30, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

BARKING UP THE PACLITAXEL TREE

Production of bulk cancer drug is outpacing demand.

PARTNERSHIPS

Companies return to the discovery-stage deals that prevailed before the genome boom.

August 23, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

CHEMICAL EARNINGS

Second-quarter results show big gains.

DRUG EARNINGS

U.S. firms show strong sales and earnings in second quarter; European firms post modest gains.

BIOTECH EARNINGS

Despite an overall rise in earnings, losses increase for many firms.

WORKFORCE WORRIES

U.K. report offers recommendations for sustaining a highly skilled workforce.

PTA IN CHINA

Purified terephthalic acid industry is set for major growth.

August 16, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

HOMELAND SECURITY

Life sciences firms join the fight against bioterrorism.

BACK IN THE U.S.S.R.

U.S. State Department program helps convert former Russian bioweapons labs into biotech businesses.

August 9, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

ALTERNATIVE TIMBER

Wood/plastic composites and new wood treatments compete for a share of the lumber market.

WOMEN IN INDUSTRY

Annual C&EN survey reveals a decline in the number of women in top management.

SYNGENTA LAWSUIT

Firm accuses two Chinese companies of illegally producing and selling its insecticide.

PAUL BURG

C&EN talks with Spectrum Chemicals founder and chairman, who created a sizable player in lab chemicals.

August 2, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATE

TRIPOS RUNNING FULL TILT

Computational software firm takes an informatics-based approach to drug discovery.

SEMICON

Newcomers fight for a slice of the already crowded chip-smoothing market.

ECONOMIC RECOVERY

Outlook is good for both U.S. and global chemical industry.

July 26, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATE

STRIKING IT RICH

Foreign investors are sidelined as China's booming petrochemical industry stands on its own

IAN SHOTT'S NEW PLANT

Entrepreneur's latest addition will support efforts to improve drug design and fine chemicals manufacturing.

July 19, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

GLOBAL TOP 50

Worldwide sales show a striking increase, but profits continue to slip.

SHELL BETS ON PTT

Shell Chemical and SGF joint venture will result in world's largest polytrimethylene terephthalate polymer plant.

July 12, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

CHEMSPEC REVIEW

Annual exhibition receives a boost from renewed interest in nonpharma specialty chemicals.

SECOND-QUARTER STOCKS

Chemical stocks outperformed major market indexes as fortunes of the manufacturing sector improved.

TECH TRANSFER

Degussa's new Nanotronics center emphasizes collaboration with universities and industry.

July 5, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

FACTS & FIGURES

Chemical industry data for 2003 do not look very different from those of 2002--yet cost-cutting reorganizations of the previous few years are affecting the bottom line.

PHILADELPHIA STORY

Regional growth plan focuses on chemical industry.

INSIGHTS

Is the biotech industry ready for a public dialogue?

June 28, 2004

ELECTRONIC CHEMICALS

Sparked by higher demand, such as flat-screen TVs, the semiconductor materials business is booming once again as environmental concerns increase.

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

BAYER UNITS SEPARATE

Lanxess and MaterialScience get ready to show off their new identities.

June 21, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

PLASTIC TROUBLES

High feedstock prices are hurting producers of commodity plastics.

PLASTIC'S GRIP

Producers of polyethylene terephthalate resin set their sights on new bottle markets.

CIBA'S SPECIALTY CHEMICALS

Plastics company gets ready to unveil new additives and coating effects.

LESSONS LEARNED

Failed BOC deal prepared Air Liquide for Messer acquisition.

June 14, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

CONTRACT MANUFACTURING

After several bad years, nonpharma contract firms see signs of recovery.

WUXI PHARMATECH

Contract research firm in China is only three years old but is attracting top talent and proving to be an unmitigated success.

June 7, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

EU EXPANSION

Chemical industry sees challenges, opportunities as borders open to Central and Eastern Europe.

MICROBIA

Firm's biomanufacturing unit is amassing substantial venture capital for its drug portfolio.

INSIGHTS

Recent terrorist attacks won't stop Middle East's petrochemical industry from growing.

May 31, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

COMBICHEM SYMPOSIUM

Russian conference addresses the changing role of combinatorial chemistry in drug discovery.

PHOSPHORUS IN CHINA

Conditions that made China competitive in phosphorus production have changed for the worse.

VOCS IN EUROPE

Rules on emissions of solvents containing volatile organic compounds are being tightened and will affect small and medium-sized producers.

NEW IMAGE FOR SIGMA-ALDRICH

Company wants a niche in custom manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients and advanced drug intermediates.

May 24, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

A WISER HERCULES

In the wake of an ill-fated acquisition, specialty chemicals firm develops a new mind-set.

CROSSOVER

BASF works with French institute to bridge the gap between academic and industrial research.

SHELL IN SOUTHERN CHINA

Shell and Chinese oil corporation's huge petrochemical complex in Daya Bay is on schedule to open in 2006 and may include a refinery.

May 17, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

CHEMICAL EARNINGS

First quarter sees earnings surge, production and prices increase, and demand for U.S. chemical products rise.

PHARMA EARNINGS

European producers trail U.S. in total sales and earnings growth.

BIOTECH EARNINGS

New product approvals, increased demand for therapies, and foreign sales translate into strong growth.

May 10, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

PROTEIN DRUGS

Rapid transformation in business and research has turned large drug firms into biotech players, while contract service firms move into life-cycle management.

CEDARBURG PHARMACEUTICALS

Founders reluctantly turned to venture capital, but now revel in firm's robust growth.

JOSEPH A. MILLER JR.

C&EN talks with Corning's chief technology officer, who opted for new challenges after retiring from DuPont.

May 3, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

PERSONAL CARE

Cosmetic makers seek new ingredients and formulations to mitigate effects of aging; FDA scrutinizes claims of therapeutic benefits.

NANJING'S RISE

City officials extend the red carpet to the chemical industry.

HARNESSING CHINA

Chinese chemical producers have many strengths to share with foreign firms.

April 26, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

WUHAN REVIVAL

Central Chinese city is expanding beyond its academic roots, attracting chemical and drug producers.

PROFITS FROM PLANTS

New technology-transfer firm commercializes university plant genetics research.

KRATON POLYMERS

Shell Chemicals spin-off business believes it has the best of both worlds.

April 19, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

SPECIALTY CHEMICALS

Key players explain how they have adapted to succeed in changing markets.

L. LOUIS HEGEDUS

C&EN talks with Atofina senior vice president of R&D, who enjoys a good challenge.

PLIGHT OF THE BEES

Pesticides get a bum rap for Europe's declining honeybee population.

April 12, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

NANOTECH IP

Broad potential of this "next big thing" has early developers looking to protect their intellectual property.

FIRST-QUARTER STOCKS

Biotech index had a modest gain, while chemical and drug indexes finished near or below where they started.

NATIONAL PETROCHEMICAL & REFINERS ASSOCIATION

Cautious optimism marks annual meeting.

CLARIANT PHARMACEUTICALS

Attributes successful performance to its diverse mix of plants and cultures.

NEW BIG BUSINESS

Nanotechnology is increasingly important in almost all areas of science and technology.

JOBS FORECAST

Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts total employment in the chemical industry will continue to fall.

April 5, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

PHARMA OUTSOURCING

Four case studies of outsourcing relationships show that good service is rewarded with repeat business.

MEMBRANE EXTRACTION TECHNOLOGY

Start-up firm MET has established organic solvent nanofiltration, plans to spread technology.

FROM THE YANGTZE

Young CEO pledges to revitalize a struggling specialty chemicals firm in central China.

ECONOMIC DATA

Problems with the North American Industry Classification System haven't gone away.

March 29, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

INVESTING IN CHINA

Chongqing has become an attractive market for both Chinese and foreign chemical firms.

GERMAN EARNINGS

BASF, Bayer, and Degussa see modest recovery in Asia and the U.S. but not yet in Europe.

CUSTOMIZED TiO2

DuPont launches a prototype production facility for titanium dioxide that's more than a white pigment.

March 22, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

DATA MANAGEMENT

Amid a deluge of collected facts and figures, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries seek new information technology solutions.

HONEYWELL

Nance Dicciani lays out her plan to transform the specialty materials unit.

CHEMICAL INDUSTRY PRODUCTIVITY

Output per hour increased in 2003, though more slowly than in the past four years.

March 15, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

PETROCHEMICALS

North American producers adjust to a changed industry, European producers consolidate, and Japanese producers receive a respite.

PHARMA EARNINGS

For U.S. and European drug firms, 2003 ended with strong sales but sluggish earnings.

BIOTECH EARNINGS

Many firms post big gains in fourth quarter and for the year.

EUROPEAN OUTLOOK

Without urgent action from industry and governmental authorities, the chemical industry faces a bleak future.

TONY BASTOCK

Recent Chemical Industries Association president says it will be tough to establish a protocol for testing chemicals.

March 8, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

Overall activity slowed in 2003 in the worldwide chemical industry.

DEAL-MAKING

For both pharma and biotech, mergers and acquisitions rose in total value over 2002.

SCI MEDALIST

Thomas Reilly Jr., retired CEO of Reilly Industries, discusses his political involvement.

NOVOZYMES

Danish firm puts enzymes in the catbird seat as a replacement for industrial chemicals.

BIOTECH BOTTOM LINE

Biotech products need to be both effective and cost-effective to compete.

March 1, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

BUYER BEWARE

Concerns over worker safety and environmental protection force questionable producers in China and India to clean up their act.

CEFIC FINE CHEMICALS

Specialty chemicals is now an official product sector of the European Chemical Industry Council.

ISOCHEM'S GOAL

Firm has cut costs and shifted operations downstream to become one of the top 10 global fine chemicals firms.

February 23, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

CHEMICAL EARNINGS

Dow Chemical's huge earnings growth skews industry's fourth-quarter results.

MOROCCO MINING

To stay competitive, mining firm Managem is pouring money into R&D.

RICHARD M. GROSS

Vice president of R&D looks into Dow's strategic research needs while slowly winding down to a busy retirement.

February 16, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

PHARMA INDUSTRY

Major drug firms battle slump in new drug introductions by reorganizing and absorbing new tools for discovery and development; companies also face external pressures on the public, political, and regulatory fronts.

INFORMEX REVIEW

Annual custom chemicals conference focuses on kilogram-scale production, catalysis, and low-cost manufacturing.

February 9, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

SPOONFUL OF SUGAR

Therapeutic carbohydrate chemistry firms seek alliances for sound growth.

KYOTO ON THEIR MINDS

Chemical companies take different stances on greenhouse gas emissions regulations.

February 2, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

ECONOMIC RECOVERY

Capital spending will recover nicely in 2004, but R&D budgets will hardly budge.

CAMBREX RESTRUCTURED

Cambrex pushes beyond its traditional base in fine chemicals to focus on human life sciences.

INSIGHTS

Local school board proposes to ban petrochemical products.

January 26, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

FINE CHEMICALS IN CHINA

Prosperous Zhejiang province is home to a thriving industry.

January 19, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

CUSTOM CHEMICALS

Companies grapple with how best to supply the pharma industry, as technology no longer provides an easy differentiator and Asian competition grows.

FOURTH-QUARTER STOCKS

Chemical, drug, and biotech stocks show very good performances for the quarter and for the year.

January 12, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

3M TAKES AIM WITH REINVIGORATED R&D

Rifle, not shotgun approach, may allow 3M to hit commercial targets more often

SOCIALISM WITH A SHANGHAI TOUCH

Government-owned China Worldbest makes deals and strengthens R&D

January 5, 2004

BUSINESS CONCENTRATES

IRELAND TAKES THE LEAD

Irish presidency of the EU will provide a strong voice in shaping new chemicals policy.

INSIGHTS

Research chemists are the new foot soldiers for ensuring environmental, health, and safety performance of products.

Chemical & Engineering News
ISSN 0009-2347
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