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The main theme for 2010 for the chemical industry was recovery especially since it followed the Great Recession. The recovery was led by China while the recovery in the U.S. has been more fragile. The highlights of the year for chemical companies around the world are discussed.

Consolidation among Western organic dye and pigment manufacturers has resulted in plant shutdowns and expansions in the Asia-Pacific region. The increased readership on electronic periodicals has also eliminated markets for printing inks. How pigment manufacturers responded to the opportunity presented by this trend is also discussed.

Scientific instrument manufacturer Agilent completed the $1.5 billion acquisition of competitor Varian in May 2010, potentially boosting the life sciences and chemical analysis operations of Agilent. The deal led Agilent to look forward to more growth opportunities outside its traditional electronics measurement business. Other implications of the integration of Varian to Agilent are discussed.

Most companies have been undecided whether to use greenhouse gas (GHG)-monitoring equipment or estimation software in gathering emissions data for submission to the Environmental Protection Agency. Only the government and academia are still the active purchasers of GHG monitoring tools. How instrument and software providers have benefited from the demand for these tools is described.

DuPont CEO Ellen Kullman has championed research and development and she has positioned the company to quickly emerge from the economic crisis. Kullman believes that a portfolio is only as good as its performance, its potential to succeed, or its competitive position.

The chemical industry is expected to see improvements in free cash flow and credit quality in 2010, but related construction is expected to continue to struggle. Chemical industry forecasts on the inorganics, fine chemicals and specialty chemicals market, crop protection, pharmaceuticals, and laboratory instrumentation are discussed.

Reports show that chemical companies and their clients invested heavily in alternative energy in 2009 despite the bleak economy. Most chemical makers also anticipated government action that would put limits on carbon emissions. Many firms took steps to reduce their carbon footprints even though they were uncertain of the form such action will take.

Insights on how The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act could bring higher sales and development among scientific equipment manufacturers are presented. Over $21.5 billion was earmarked for Barack Obama's science agenda, and this will be allocated to science education, new and existing research and development (R&D) projects, and funding R&D facilities and scientific equipment.

With the deadline of meeting the European Union's (EU) safety-testing regulations set to 2013, cosmetics companies and their chemical suppliers are now rushing to search for methods to safely test their products. The ban on animal testing, which has taken effect in March 2009, has affected much of the cosmetic industry's product development process, and is seen to affect ingredients suppliers from abroad as well. Opinions of several industry executives were taken regarding the EU's regulation.

Most chemical companies agree that carbon emissions limits are coming to the U.S. and that these firms worry that it will drive up fuel and feedstock cost, make U.S. chemical plants uncompetitive, and drive jobs and production overseas. The opinions of chemical companies on the effect of the different types of greenhouse gas control on their firms are presented.

Trends show that demand in the chemical industry declined in 2008 due to the global economic crisis. Most chemical companies cut capacity and employment in contracting markets, and introduced 'green' products and processes to satisfy demand for environmentally benign chemicals. Information about the rising energy costs is also presented.

China has set up a sophisticated drug-testing laboratory at Beijing's Olympic Sports Center to detect cases of performance enhancing drugs that may be used by athletes during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Manufacturers producing organic and sustainable personal care products are still confused about the definition and certification standards that indicate environmental friendly and natural products.

Chemical companies plan allocation of substantial funds for expansion of infrastructure and acquisition of equipment in 2008. Though, a comparatively less amount has been earmarked for research and development.

The sales and earnings for many chemical industries have gone up despite of high cost for energy and raw materials in the year 2007.

The article presents the different sources of funding besides from the government that universities may receive to help further research projects. The funding in turn helps in the research and development for the respective industry.

The high cost of natural gas has forced Dow Chemicals to shut down many of its U.S. plants and to look to other countries both as sources of feedstock and as locations to produce many of its petrochemical products.

Scientific instrument making companies are working to design simple to use, portable, affordable devices to help common people identify threats or ensure safety.

The encapsulants used in the cosmetics protect the active ingredients and facilitate their efficient delivery to the targeted body part. The different encapsulants of chemical and organic origin used in various products like, lipsticks, sunscreens, aftershaves by different cosmetic companies are described in the article.

Several chemical companies plan to increase capital funding for new plant and equipment by 7.6% in 2007 according to an annual survey. The survey also shows that many chemical firms intend to increase spending on R&D by 5.8% in 2007 and the companies will also look to boost their earnings in 2007.

The chemical industry saw solid profits in 2006 with calm weather and fairly stable energy prices. Sales and earnings grew in 2006 as the companies continued to emphasize building large projects in the emerging markets, and employment prospects improved in the industry, achieving new standards in safety and security and environmental regulations.

Paint material makers are focusing on consolidation as they are planning to buy businesses that extend their reach and profit potential in paint materials. Actions taken by chemical mergers to this effect and the implications of their actions on the industry in general, are discussed.

The tales of devastation, loss, and fear at the Gulf Coast, as in September 2006, one year after Hurricane Katrina and Rita hit the US Gulf Coast in 2005, are described. One year after the storms the cities and towns in the Gulf Coast continue to bedevil by many difficulties and many of the people believe that it might take another five to 10 years for New Orleans and surrounding cities to recover.

Dow Chemical's president and chief executive officer (CEO) Andrew Liveris has outlined the challenges faced by his firm, as well as those of the chemical industry along with its energy, research and strategic options. The performance businesses, major products and basic businesses of the company are discussed.

Synthetic polymers provide beneficial features to products of the personal care industry, advancing the style, feel, and functionality of the new cosmetics. One of the main advantages of working with synthetic polymers is its ability to tailor the molecule to give specific attributes.

Chemical firms are planning to boost their capital in investments in 2006, but only with a modest increase in the research and development (R&D) spending. The chemical makers plan to increase capital budgets by 17.0% in 2006 compared to 2005, to a total of $8.7 billion, whereas their R&D spending plans closely parallel the 4.8% increase of 2005.

The US chemical industries' recovery continued in 2005 despite high energy prices and disasters. The effect of hurricanes on sales and earnings of the companies, the job prospective in the US chemical sector, various mergers and acquisitions and trade issues are discussed.

Chemical firms are taking into account investments in capacity and equipment as a boost to research budgets and also to prepare for future growth. It is reported that though chemical companies have targeted a 13% rise in capital spending in 2005, The R&D has observed only a modest increase.

The chemical industry showed signs of recovery in 2004, when volumes, prices, profits, and even chemical stock prices increased, private equity firms entered the industry and large companies created smaller divisions through initial public offerings. A review of industry performance in 2004 in terms of economy, employment, and company strategies is presented.

On October 1, David Lilley, Cytec's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer announced an agreement to acquire Belgium based UCB Group's Surface Specialties business for $1.8 billion. The deal will nearly double Cytec's annual sales to $2.7 billion. As Surface Specialties' sales is concentrated in Europe and Asia, Cytec's sales outside North America will increase and set it on the path of faster sales growth overseas.

A new concept to fight against terrorism in United States by using biotechnology and producing stockpiles of vaccines to fight against various diseases is presented. The approval of Project Bioshield act of 2004 and measures for the survivors from bomb attacks suffering from acute radiation poisoning are also described.

A toxic cloud of methyl isocyanate gas leaked from a Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India on December 3, 1984 killing more than 3,800 people and injuring thousands more. The United States chemical industry that has established the Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER) program to avoid another tragedy like Bhopal is discussed.

This article describes the history and future of DuPont's Experimental Station and also the future of the company as a whole given the recent changes within the chemical industry. Specifically, the article discusses Dupont's efforts to move away from such fields as petrochemicals and synthetic fibers as these fields are not as profitable as before.

This article describes how Air Products has restructured itself to deal with sluggish sales, overcapacity, the slow economy, and its merger/acquisition activities. The article also describes efforts by its chairman, president, and CEO John P. Jones III to position the company for the expected economic recovery.

This article provides an overview of how and why biotechnology companies are drawn to this region of North Carolina. Research Triangle Park is bounded by Duke University, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Education level and cost of operating are two important reasons for the development in this region.

William H. Joyce, chairman and CEO of Hercules, received the 2003 Perkin Medal from the American Section of the London-based Society of Chemical Industry for developing a new process for producing polyethylene with working for Union Carbide. The article also includes a biography of Mr. Joyce.

The author examines the state of funding for research and development in 2003 for the chemical industry. Topics include the effects of an impending war with Iraq, U.S. economic conditions, and the rising cost of raw materials.

As Dupont turns 200, Chairman and CEO Charles O. Holliday and Thomas M. Connelly are working to ensure that the company remains profitable, and capable of producing new chemicals.

The chemical industry experienced a good year for mergers and acquisitions in 2001, with chemical firms selling businesses to financial companies such as AEA Investors, Ripplewood Holdings, and Apollo Management.

Michigan is looking to high technology, including investments in life sciences, will help the state's economy grow. The state is spending $1 billion over the next 20 years on bioscience research and manufacturing. The article discusses other programs the state has employed over time to help boost the economy, including tax incentives for business expansion and worker training and recruitment support for employers.

Consumers are interested in having 'natural' rather than 'synthetic' ingredients in their personal care products.

Pennsylvania's Ben Franklin Technology Partners, which is a venture capital partnership, has received state government funds since 1983. Ben Franklin Partners provides assistance to high-tech start-ups before they receive financing from private-sector venture capital companies.

A new survey by Chemical and Engineering News has found that chemical companies are reducing research and development spending. The survey, which reviewed R&D spending by seventeen major chemical companies, found that they reported a record low 3% growth in R&D spending.

Personal care products manufacturers are targeting 'baby boomers' in the U.S. and Europe with skin care products designed to reduce the effects of aging rather than conceal them.

In order to reciver from an earnings shortfall in 1998, 3M took a number of steps including layoffs 2,200 employees. The company did not cut R and D, innovation being a core value.

After more than two decades, the Responsible Care program has been unable to significantly improve the American public's perception of the chemical industry. Western European and Canadian citizens also have a low opinion of the industry.

Recent state government investment in private high-technology business through business incubators, pension investment funds and university programs is discussed. The investment programs of Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and California are outlined.

In agricultural markets, plant nutrient and pesticide sales have slowed due to genetically engineered seed production popularity and low commodity prices. Increases in the sales of lawn and garden chemicals reflect the growth of the U.S. economy and the number of people taking up home gardening.

Sources show that chemical ingredient suppliers for the hair care industry are using acquisitions to expand their product lines and compete in market share with hair care formulators. Hair care is approximately a $35 billion-per-year global retail business.