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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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.