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5:17 AM EST | March 4, 2010 | By HARPAL SINGH By Dr. Harpal Singh, co-founder and CEO for Supply Chain Consultants Companies embark on mergers and acquisitions (M&As) with high hopes, promising the financial community improved performance. In reality, however, few M&As live up to expectations. Recent research studies suggest that up to 60 percent of mergers have a detrimental effect on the overall performance of the combined firm... 1:31 PM EST | February 26, 2010 | By ALEX SCOTT Industry group the Chemical Industries Association (CIA; London) says despite scouring the economic landscape it sees no signs yet that business conditions across the U.K. chemicals sector are on the up. The recovery, when it comes will likely be in 2011 it says. “Right now, [markets for] agchems, personal care and pharma are not as hot as they were,” says Steve Elliott, CEO for CIA... 1:09 PM EST | February 25, 2010 | By VINCENT VALK It's snowing in New York today – again. Luckily, it does not appear to be snowing much in Washington, or else we may get a repeat of this ridiculous "debate." Let me be perfectly clear: regardless of what Senator Jim DeMint likes to tweet, a snowstorm does not negate the whole of climate science. Neither, for that matter, do some sloppy scientists. I was thinking about this while combing... 1:42 PM EST | February 23, 2010 | By B. DAVID NAIDU, ESQ. Manufacturers of basic and specialty chemicals have been researching and using nanoscale material for a number of years. The appeal of nanoscale materials for manufacturing is evident. As physicist Richard Feynman explained, at the nanoscale, the laws of classical physics give way to quantum effects; as a result, such materials can manifest different strength, durability, flexibility and toxicity... 7:15 PM EST | February 17, 2010 | By ALEX SCOTT Informex, the specialty chemicals expo underway this week in San Francisco has started with a bang. At one of the pre-show parties around town this Monday evening I have it on good authority that two veteran chemical industry advertising executives went toe-to-toe and that finger pointing and insults soon gave way to shoving and shouting before onlookers were able to coax them apart. And all this after one... 10:19 AM EST | February 17, 2010 | By ALEX SCOTT Senior executives of specialty and fine chemicals manufacturers meeting in San Francisco for this week’s Informex expo, have a mixed outlook when it comes to business opportunities for the year ahead.... 11:49 AM EST | February 11, 2010 | By SIGMUND FLOYD It has become widely recognized that since the financial crisis the Chinese economy has taken on the leadership role in the global economic recovery. This was forecast as early as Q1 2008 by George Soros in his book on the then-evolving credit crisis; Soros was also one of the few who then foresaw the magnitude of the crisis.... 10:01 AM EST | February 2, 2010 | By GIRISH MALHOTRA Global spread of HIV/AIDS has been and is a cause of alarm. Approximately 33.4 million people are estimated to be infected with HIV/AIDS and about 30% of this population can use the antiretroviral therapy (ART). Of this number about 42% are getting the treatment. This could be due to pricing and/or their availability or a combination of both. There are methods and means to lower the cost and increase... 11:13 AM EST | January 28, 2010 | By ALEX SCOTT Jeff Strobel, Site Director, Sigma Aldrich Fine Chemicals (SAFC; Carlsbad, CA) outlines... 5:10 AM EST | January 25, 2010 | By ALEX SCOTT Ford promotes its development and use of soy-based foam for seating in cars. The foam can be 30% lighter than petrochemical-derived alternaitives...
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ABOUT CHEM IDEAS
Welcome to Chem Ideas, the place for opinions and perspective on the key issues affecting the global chemicals industry. This zone features articles by Chemweek’s regular editors as well as a team of established experts with insights across the chemicals industry. If you would like to contribute a blog or opinion piece contact Alex Scott, Executive Editor/Web and Environment for Chemweek at ascott@chemweek.com
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ABOUT OUR GUEST AUTHORS
Fine Chemicals / Pharma
Girish Malhotra is the president and founder of Epcot International, an international consulting firm covering chemical manufacture. Girish is an established industry figure having held senior positions at companies including ExxonMobil and Sherwin Williams. He can be reached at epcotint@ix.netcom.com
Basic Chemicals
John Pearson is responsible for Access Intelligence's Chemicals portfolio. In addition to managing Chemweek John's other activities include managing SRI Consulting. You can reach him at jpearson@accessintel.com
REACH
Lisa Allen is the Technical Manager of ReachReady, the Reach services body affiliated to the Chemical Industries Assocation (CIA; U.K.).
She spends much of her time addressing concerns raised by ReachReady’s customers about Reach.
 Environment
Kathryn Sheridan is the founder of Sustainability Consult, providing public relations support with a sustainability focus to a number of chemical industry clients, as well as to other sectors. Sustainability Consult helps organisations develop, promote and communicate their sustainability strategies, plans and activities. ks@sustainabilityconsult.com
Rubber and Plastics
Lou Reade is a freelance journalist and expert in the rubber and plastics fields. Based in the U.K. Lou has more than a decade writing in about rubber and plastics manufacture with a wealth of experience gained while writing for the leading publications in the field in the U.K. and wider afield. Loureade@talk21.com.
 Security
Steve Roberts is an attorney who practices in the rapidly developing area of homeland security law and regulation. Steve writes and speaks frequently on the legal aspects of homeland security and counterterrorism affecting the nation’s critical infrastructure. www.chemicalsecurity.com
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