Company safety data sheets on new chemicals frequently lack the worker protections EPA claims they include

Article | March 25, 2020

Fine chemicals are those which are produced with a very high standard of purity and are intended for use in specialized applications. If you are starting a new company or investing into the development phase of a new product, outsourcing the production really makes good sense. This safeguards you and your business from the financial losses suffered out of halting the production of a product unevenly. A single substance created with the assistance of chemical reactions, which is additionally integrated into highly evolved applications is called a fine chemical. In contrast to bulk chemicals that are produced in large quantities, fine chemicals are produced in small batches because of their specialized nature. They are mainly used as starting materials for pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals & biopharmaceuticals.

CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT

Article | March 25, 2020

BUYERS OF polypropylene (PP) and other polymers and petrochemicals have had an incredibly difficult pandemic. Firstly, the converters and brand owners expected doom and gloom last March. At the time it seemed logical to expect a cratering of demand as the global economy pretty much imploded. Just looking at forecasts for GDP, parallels were drawn with the Global Financial Crisis when collapses in growth led to a cratering of polymers demand. The US is a good example where PP demand declined by 12% in 2008 over 2007. Demand then fell by a further 5% in 2009 over 2008.But what we all missed was the complete dislocation of polymers and petrochemicals demand from GDP. As economies registered historic declines, consumption went up. PP demand went through the roof, firstly for food packaging and hygiene applications.Then consumption for the durable goods made from PP also smashed through the rafters as we bought white goods (PP is used to make components of washing machines), consumer electronics (PP is used to make some electronic components) and carpets (PP fibres are used here).

CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT

Article | March 25, 2020

POLYMER BUYERS outside northeast (NEA) and southeast Asia (SEA) have a big opportunity to save millions of dollars on procurement costs during the rest of this year through purchasing more from the two regions.The opportunity has arisen because I believe that NEA and SEA polymer prices will remain very cheap relative to most of the world until at least the end of 2021. NEA comprises China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. Our definition of the SEA region is Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.NEA and SEA producers can also make a lot of money by constantly monitoring and acting on strong arbitrage opportunities in other regions. As supply disruptions in the US look likely to continue, Europe and South & Central America seem particularly good opportunities for both buyers and producers.Before we discuss why I see NEA and SEA remaining cheap relative to most of the rest of the world until at least the end of the year, let us consider in more detail the size of the prize, starting with the resin buyers.

CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT

Article | March 25, 2020

Petrochemical stocks plunged worldwide on 19 July ahead of the Q2 earnings season. The declines were consistent with those in economically sensitive sectors such as steel, copper, automotive and housing,” wrote my ICIS colleague, Joseph Chang, in this Insight article.