Convergence in the Chemical Industry
Chemical Week recently published a ranking of the largest chemical companies in the world by revenues and Rob Westervelt, CW’s editor-in-chief, has commented on the rapid shifts taking placing in the sector. Only BASF, Dow Chemical, DuPont and Shell remain in the top ten from the first time CW published its ranking 15 years ago. Meanwhile, SABIC and Sinopec have grown rapidly and are now top ten players.Continue reading→
Agricultural & Specialty Pesticides Market Builds Momentum into 2010
Amid the drumbeat of dismal economic news from the past year, the market for specialty pesticides has been notable in that its decline was less than most other finished goods products. The agricultural/specialty pesticides markets actually held up well in 2008, but recent quarterly reports from basic producers indicates that the economy has now caught up with crop protection. With the buzz of the biofuels boom behind us, at least temporarily, growth in the agricultural market has tempered somewhat. However, even though consumer spending, consumer confidence, and nearly all other consumer market indicators are down, the consumer pesticides market shows some bright promise in the coming year—ironically, some of it driven by the economic downturn. For manufacturers and service providers in the lawn, garden, and pet products categories, there just may be a touch of silver lining the economic storm cloud. More…
Agricultural and Specialty Pesticides Market Builds Momentum into 2010 – Act Now to Ensure a Brighter Future
Most agricultural and specialty pesticides producers are, at this moment, grateful that the industry seems to have borne the brunt of the economic turmoil fairly well. However, we’re seeing strong indication that the effects may have simply been delayed.Continue reading→
Consumer Products Show Promise for Specialty Chemicals Industry
Global Lubricants Industry: A review of 2009
The global lubricants industry entered 2009 with significant negative momentum. The last quarter of 2008 was very bad in terms of sales growth, and worse was to come. In the first quarter of 2009, sales volumes dropped 20% to 40% depending on the end-use industry, product, and region. The second quarter was flat. Recovery seems to have started sometime in the third quarter of 2009 in Asia – particularly in China and India, as well as Indonesia and South America. In Europe, Germany and France seem to have weathered the recession quite well and are on the road to recovery. On the other hand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Spain continue to struggle due to their own housing bubbles. The United States is recovering, but high unemployment will continue to be an enduring problem. More…
written by Milind Phadke, Industry Manager, Energy
Consumer Products Poised for a Rebound in 2010
No doubt 2009 will likely go on record as one of the toughest years in the world’s economic history, leveling a serious blow to the consumer products industry. Struggling with declining sales and profits, many retailers have shuttered doors or closed down completely. However, if history teaches us anything it is that “This too shall pass.” New U.S. GDP figures already show a promising 3.5% growth rate for the third quarter, and we’re seeing signs of a slow (and hopefully steady) recovery. As we look ahead to 2010 in this issue, we’ll examine the burning question: what can consumer product companies do to get a jump on the recovery and get ahead in the coming year? More…
What Will Happen to the Detergent Industry with the New Technologies on the Market?
Advanced Washer Technologies:
Although laundry care remains the leading product class with nearly half of total market sales during 2008, according to Kline’s Household Cleaning Products USA report, in the future it might be different. The science of cleaning our clothes has advanced rapidly in the last few decades, with new technologies entering the market, and the speed this market is developing laundry care may witness some changes in its leadership.Continue reading→
Changing shape of the biocide industry
Water withdrawal and consumption is experiencing a time of change as a result of population increase, changing food consumption habits and climate change. Along with increased demand for meat products in countries which typically had a vegetable based diet, new industries such as biofuels are developing in response to need for reduction on reliance of fossil fuels. Increased meat consumption, requires greater livestock headcount and biofuels require growth of additional volumes of crops, such as wheat and maize – both trends adding to the squeeze on water supply.Continue reading→
Polyphenols: Innovation booming
The subject of polyphenols when initially tackled by the industry several years ago used the French paradox as the marketing tool and focused by and large on grape seed and skin extracts, or red wine powder. However, science and innovation have created a thriving market segment now dominated by serious contenders for market share such as DSM and Seppic.Continue reading→
Future Growth of OTC Market Linked Closely to Rx-to-OTC Switch Activity
The years 2008 and 2009 have posed considerable challenges for branded OTC marketers caused by global recession, price-conscious consumers, and strong competition from private labels. However, Rx-to-OTC switch remains a strong prospect for future growth of the industry.Continue reading→