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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.
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