Summary: 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.
