Opening Keynote
Coming Downturn: Threat or Reality?
New petrochemical capacities are coming up in the Mideast at a time of potentially slower demand growth and steep increases in feedstock prices. This could herald the beginning of the next downturn in the chemical cycle. What is different in the upcoming downturn than the previous one? Is the industry better or worse off? How does a global chemical company plan for growth in the next trough? How are companies responding to the threat in margin erosion?
Bernard Claude, President and CEO, Total Petrochemicals USA
10:10 AM
Innovation:A Growth Driver?
Innovation is at the heart of every company's growth strategy and is essential for any institution that wants to compete and thrive. How can a chemical company balance product innovation with innovative growth strategies? As globalization, market development, access to technology, population growth and an array of societal challenges rapidly converge - what does it take to successfully innovate in emerging markets?
Carol Dudley, Corporate Vice President/Market Facing, Business Development & Licensing, Dow Chemical
10:40 AM
M&A Outlook
Moderator: Robert Westervelt, Editor-in-Chief, Chemical Week
Panel Discussion: Jean Cayanni, Senior Managing Director, RSM Equico Capital Markets; Joseph Carleone, President and COO of American Pacific Corporation; John Sobchak, CFO, KMG Chemicals, Inc.
11:25 AM
Networking Refreshments / Showcase Exhibits
11:45 AM
Pricing Push: The Need for Speed
The rapid acceleration in energy and feedstock prices in the past year has caught the industry by surprise. Producers are trying to raise prices as quickly as possible in the hope of protecting margins. How successful can this initiative be in an environment of slowing demand growth? Is there a potential for retreating energy prices? What else can producers do to prevent margin erosion?
Ed Dineen, President/Chemicals Division, LyondellBasell
12:15 PM
REACH and The Regulatory Outlook
What will the regulatory environment look like in 2009, as the U.S. picks a new president? What are companies doing in response to climate change and to global warming? How effective will cap-and-trade programs be in curbing greenhouse gas emissions? What is developing in that arena?
Joe Acker, President, Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association (Socma)
12:45 PM
Networking Luncheon
2:15 PM
Talent Management: Trends and Strategies
David Pleasance, Senior Partner, Deloitte Consulting
2:45 PM
Going Green
The current focus on environmental protection, with the added push by major retailers, has moved sustainable development issues to the forefront of many chemical companies’ strategic planning. What can a chemical company do to ensure its viability in the increasingly demanding area of environmental responsibility while meeting financial goals? What are the opportunities for growth in that area?
Mary Lynn Burke, Director/Product Safety and Regulatory Affairs, Henkel Corporation
3:15 PM
Networking Refreshments/Showcase Exhibits
3:35 PM
Supply Chain and Transportation Outlook
REACH and the ever-rising fuel costs is putting a strain on transportation companies the the supply chain. What is the outlook for the transportation sector? How successful have transportation and distribution companies been in passing on cost increases? How will this segment of the industry shape up?
Arnold Bornstein, Executive Director/Marketing and Corporate Communications, BDP International
4:05 PM
Closing Keynote
Specialty Chemicals: Between A Rock and A Hard Place
The specialty chemicals sector is trying to raise product prices in line with the increase in raw materials prices from commodity chemicals suppliers. What is specific to the specialty chemical that could be preventing the same level of success that commodity chemical companies are having in raising prices? What can the industry do to address the threat of margin erosion?The World Economic Outlook and Its Impact on Chemicals
What is the outlook for the global economy in 2009? Is the worst over in the U.S. economy? Is the worst over for the housing and construction sector in the U.S.? Has inflation and weak housing markets crippled chemicals demand? What will demand look like in 2009?
Follow us on Twitter
