Earnings grow in tough climate. 150118

 In-demand specialties helped offset weakness in agriculture and construction.


In the short term,  the move strengthens the U.S. dollar, potentially harming exports of U.S.-made


products by making them more expensive. In the first half of this year, U.S. exports to China were


off by 3.6%, compared with last year, while imports increased by 7.2%, according to the ACC,


a trade group. that suggests the chemical trade deficit with China-which was $729 million in 2014


-is likely to expand.


 Those moves will leave Axiall with only chlorovinyls, a business that had a poor second quarter


because of weak pricing    for caustic soda and polyvinyl chloride compounded by unplanned


outages. Lower natural gas prices helped but did not rescue result. Similarly, PVC maker Westlarke


Chemical reported lower prices for all of its products. But its acquisition of Vinnolit, a specialty PVC


resin business, enabled it to grow sales by 13.0% and earning by 7.0%.


 Indeed, in the current slow-growth, strong -dollar economy , chemical firms seem able to increase


sales only through acquisition.  


 From :  CEN   AUGUST 24,2015.

Chemical industry backs export bank. 150117

1.The nation's largest chemical manufacturers fighting to resurrect the Export-import Bank of the


U.S. a small federal agency that helps U.S. companies sell their products overseas.


In fiscal 2014, Ex-Im provided financing or guarantees for $ 27.5 billion in U.S. exports, supporting


more than 164,000 American jobs at 3,300companies,according to White House data.


Export credit agency financial support in 2013, $billion.


China , 153.8 ;Japan ,104.0  ; Canada,  92.5  ; south Korea  , 63.5  ;Germany ,37.1;  U.S. ,27.3.

 From : CEN  JULY 27, 2015


2.  FDA urged to enforce country-of-origin drug labels.


Approximately 40% of the prescription drugs sold in U.S. are manufactured overseas, and 80%


of the active ingredients used to make drugs in the U.S. are produced in other countries,


according to FDA.


 From :  CEN   MARCH 16, 2015

China looks west. 15116

1. Chinese companies selling to U.S. and European markets need strong sales and marketing teams


on the ground. Typically , the teams themselves are Americans or Europeans, their expertise due in


part to belonging to the societies of the target markets. This East-goes-west model is an exciting


opportunity for young professionals who can switch back and forth between the hierarchy of Chinese


companies and the collaborative quality of Western business practice. Facility with Mandarin would


be a huge advantage-and formidable when blended with business skills.


 From : CEN  AUGUST 2015 SUPPLEMENT  P. 11


2. Saltigo adjusts its stance.   The former Bayer fine chemicals business has shifted its weight in


pharmaceutical chemicals . In its nearly 10 years in business, Saltigo has succeeded in turning


a high-tech chemicals operation into a competitive custom fine chemicals company with annual


revenues approaching $500 million.  As oppose to making 10 products, they can make one product


can go into 10 applications. Saltigo as a service firm that maintains ties to its Bayer chemistry


heritage.         From : CEN  AUGUST 17,2015


3. Fine chemicals BASF to sell custom synthesis and API businesses to Siegfried.


The deal, involving manufacturing sites in Germany ,Switzer, and France, will affect about 850


employees. Siegfried will pay BASF $306 million. the acquisition will increase Siegfried's


sales by roughly 50% to $ 955 million.


  From :  CEN   May 11,2015