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The issue of ICIS Chemical Business covering August 27 to September 9, 2012, begins with a cover story looking at the impact that the drought in the US has had on corn growth, which in turn has negatively impacted the ethanol market. Also featured in the current issue are examinations of Saudi Arabia’s plans for massive polymer conversion centers there, and how the slowdown in China’s construction market is affecting growth of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) there. Meanwhile in this week’s regular columns, we look at derivative demand in China; the search for bio-butadiene; India’s Reliance Industries starts a $12bn expansion; and more.

ESGM editor Ed Cox discusses recent additions to ICIS' natural gas portfolio

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the weeks of August 13 and August 20, 2012, starts with a cover story looking at financial results for chemical companies in Europe: The continued storm of bad macroeconomic news is now affecting balance sheets. Additionally, another article in the current issue examines mergers and acquisitions (M&A): global M&A is down by 76% for the first half of 2012, as compared to the same period last year. Looking forward, the latest issue also features the finalists for the ICIS Innovation Awards 2012. All this and more, including reports on the US ethanol industry; increasing Chinese ethylene imports; and global polyethylene turmoil, are in the latest issue of ICIS Chemical Business.

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business covering July 30 to August 12, 2012, begins with a cover story on the proposed merger between US-based PVC producers Georgia Gulf and US-based PPG Industries’ chlor-alkali business. This deal could create an integrated vinyls company with roughly $5bn in sales. The current issue also has two feature articles looking at the chemical industry and weight reduction in automobiles. Among this week’s regular columns are examinations of European benzene, Asian methanol, US ethanol, and more.

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for July 16-29, 2012, begins with a cover story and very large supplement examining The ICIS Top 100 Chemical Distributors 2012: in addition to the ranking of the world’s top chemical distributors, this special section offers coverage of the leading companies, as well as interviews with and commentaries by the heads of the major chemical distribution associations. The latest issue also contains a feature covering how the US is regaining its competitive position; as well as columns on polyolefins in Europe and India; improving demand increases naphtha prices in Asia and US; and more.

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the weeks of July 2 and July 8, 2012, starts with a cover story on how the glut of propane in the US is spurring investments in export capacity, as well as the construction of new world-scale propylene facilities. Also featured are articles on the beneficial impact from US shale gas on bio-based products, and a look at the increasing commercialization of bioplastics. Meanwhile, in this issue’s regular columns we examine: the caustic soda oversupply that is expected in five years; falling polyethylene terephthalate (PET) prices in Latin America; Wall Street analysts are lowering 2012 and 2013 profit forecasts for commodity chemicals; and more.

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the week of June 25, 2012, begins with a cover story on the European economy and how the recent Greek elections may impact the chemical industry. The current issue continues with several features looking at India: while tough times are projected for the nation’s polyester industry, massive capacity expansions there indicate a bright future. Other articles in this issue include: weakening oil prices will drive more cautious purchasing strategies; an economic hard landing is projected for China; plentiful US natural gas inspires a new methanol plant in Texas; and more.

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the week of June 18, 2012, begins with a cover story on the announced ethylene capacity expansions going on the US Gulf Coast—by 2016, US ethylene capacity is expected to have increased by 33%. This issue also has a special feature on the construction boom in the Middle East, focusing on the proposed multi-billion-dollar petrochemical facilities for the region. Meanwhile, the issue’s regularly scheduled columns look at: the state of Pennsylvania plans a tax-credit program to encourage ethylene producers; the US driving season sustains demand for naphtha; tightness for European benzene supports the regional styrene market; and more.

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the week of June 11, 2012, starts with a cover story on US optimism fading: several CEOs of chemical firms turn decidedly negative on the near-term outlook. Meanwhile, the current issue’s features section looks at caustic soda and chlor-alkali: while demand may be weak, that could also help drive up prices. Then in this week’s columns, we look at: Formosa Petrochemicals in Taiwan is closing a cracker temporarily; falling ethylene prices in Europe drag down polyethylene prices; subsidies in China are not boosting sales of polypropylene there; and more.

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the week of June 4, 2012, starts with a cover story examining falling sales in Europe’s industrial sector—it seems end-markets in the region are subsiding. Meanwhile, this issue’s features look at Latin America: from the need for more polymer imports in Central America, to the threat US shale gas poses to the region’s proposed cracker projects. Among the stories covered in this issue’s columns, we have falling polyethylene prices in the US; the $7bn Petro Rabigh II expansion in Saudi Arabia is approved; acrylic fiber prices in China halt their decline; and more.

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the week of May 28, 2012, begins with a cover story examining how the eurozone crisis has impacted China’s petrochemical and polymers prices. Then the China Outlook special report looks at how rising labor costs in China and the reduced cost of feedstocks in US—due to shale gas—could lead to a revival of North American manufacturing. The current issue also features an exclusive interview with the chairman of the board of management for LANXESS; overcapacity and rising costs are making the quick recovery of chemical shipping unlikely; bio-materials are gaining more and more market share with their growing popularity; and more.

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the week of May 21, 2012, begins with a cover story and several features examining the current price plunge for many polymers and petrochemicals. Then there is a special supplement looking at the European Association for Chemical Distributors (FECC) Annual Congress for 2012. Also in this issue: Saudi Arabia-based SABIC is investing roughly $175m to upgrade crackers in the Netherlands; the European methanol market is at a crossroads, especially with sanctions against Iran; polyethylene prices weaken as feedstocks fall; and more.

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the week of May 7, 2012, starts with a cover story, and has several feature articles on third party logistics providers (3PLs), including The ICIS Top 50 3PL List, highlighting the best services, capabilities and geographic locations for 3PLs. Also in this issue: a look at China’s shrinking demand for petroleum; a giant methanol production facility scheduled for Trinidad is on hold; demand for polycarbonates in Asia are rising; and more.

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the week of April 30, 2012, starts with a cover story on the search for PA-12 alternatives. PA-12, otherwise known as polyamide-12, or Nylon-12, is essential to automakers. But with Evonik responsible for roughly 40% of PA-12’s capacity, a March explosion at the company’s facility in Germany has thrown the auto industry into turmoil, with chemical suppliers scrambling to make up the PA-12 deficit. Also in the latest issue: a detailed report on the global plastics packaging market; a look at the penetration of bio-polymers into packaging; an exclusive interview with the CEO of Italy-based chemical manufacturer Eni Versalis; caustic soda contract prices in Europe are falling because of oversupply and weak demand; and more.

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the week of April 23, 2012, has a special feature section on oleochemicals and surfactants—performance is key, say many market participants. Then, the special China outlook in this issue points out that the urbanization of that nation’s population does not necessarily translate into higher polymer profits. Meanwhile, in this issue’s regular columns, we look at: butadiene in Asia and the US; plans to blend methanol with gasoline; the outlook for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in North America is very strong; and much more.

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the week of April 16, 2012, starts with a cover story promoting the annual ICIS Innovation Awards. ICIS is searching for the most innovative processes, products, business practices and environmental initiatives. The current issue also features a look at the growing commercial production of bio-based chemicals, as well as an exclusive interview with the head of Shell Chemicals’ downstream technology unit. Also featured in this issue: manufacturers consider alternative methods of butadiene production; US-based Invista to build a new nylon plant in China; anti-dumping duties in India on soda ash imports are deferred; and more.

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the week of March 26, 2012, has a cover story on the intense competition in the global polymers arena, as well as a look at the “New Normal” and resulting policy changes from government that impact the petrochemical industry. In the issue’s weekly columns: a look at the potential for shale gas in Europe; PVC prices are increasing across many regions; volatility is projected for the oleochemicals market; and more.

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the week of March 19, 2012, starts with a cover story on Germany, and how exports are aiding that nation’s chemical industry. The current issue’s look at Germany continues with exclusive interviews with top executives from two of that country’s leading companies: international chemical producers BASF and Bayer MaterialScience. Elsewhere in this issue, we look at: Butadiene’s prospects are very good for the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China); rising feedstocks are driving up the cost of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) worldwide; high crude oil prices are driving up the price of naphtha; and more.

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the week of March 12, 2012, has a cover story on bio-paraxylene, an important piece to the 100% renewable plastic bottle puzzle. Another special feature in the latest issue takes a look at the very good prospects for bioplastics in the next few years; as well as an exclusive interview with the CEO and founder of Thailand-based polymers giant Indorama Ventures. Meanwhile, in the weekly columns we examine the markets of acetone, styrene, naphtha and more.

The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the week of March 5, 2012, focuses on aromatics, and starts with a cover story examining Middle East-based oil and gas provider Saudi Aramco’s plans to add downstream aromatics units as part of its drive to diversify regional production. Paraxylene, phenol and benzene are also covered in our aromatics feature section. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the issue, we have: an exclusive interview with the CEO of Thailand’s PTT Chemicals; polycarbonate price increases are projected for the near-term; Formosa Plastics plans a $1.7bn project in Texas; the aviation biofuels sector needs government action; and more.