FT.com chemicals feed
The latest Chemicals company and industry news with expert analysis from the Financial Times on FT.com
Updated: 24 min 51 sec ago
Reckitt’s Kapoor proves his worth
A year since he replaced Bart Becht at the helm, Rakesh Kapoor released his new emerging markets-focused strategy
Categories: Chemicals
Mexichem to buy Wavin for €351m
Chemical group to buy Dutch plastic tubing company in a deal that will create world’s largest plastic pipe supplier
Categories: Chemicals
Hanwha scrambles to avoid stock market suspension
Hanwha Group has scrambled to avoid suspension from South Korea’s stock exchange as prosecutors intensify corruption investigations
Categories: Chemicals
Dow Chemical swings to fourth-quarter loss
One of the world’s biggest chemicals companies is hurt by a one-off tax charge and weak demand in Europe
Categories: Chemicals
Johnson Matthey lifted by car industry
Sale of catalytic converters, fuelled by a recovery in Japanese demand and new business in China, boosts net profits by 34%
Categories: Chemicals
Leather demand drives up gelatin prices
With tanneries snapping up hides to feed Asian appetite for leather goods, sweet makers are being forced to pay more for the ingredient
Categories: Chemicals
Eastman Chemical to buy Solutia
The chemical maker has agreed to buy the speciality materials company for $3.4bn as it seeks to increase its business in emerging markets
Categories: Chemicals
DuPont’s Asian sales plunge
The chemicals company reported quarterly profits ahead of Wall Street expectations, while reaffirming its 2012 outlook
Categories: Chemicals
US-Dutch plan for ‘clean’ bioethanol plant
DSM of the Netherlands and Poet of the US announce a $250m venture to build the world’s largest cellulosic bioethanol factory
Categories: Chemicals
Chinese group finds right chemistry in Aim
Haike, a petrochemical and speciality chemicals group, sees value in the junior exchange at a time when it has seen more companies leave than join
Categories: Chemicals
Sabic fourth-quarter profits decline 10%
The decline in profit compares with a record third quarter on the back of increased sales and reduced funding costs
Categories: Chemicals
Cussons buys Fudge from Sabre
Maker of Imperial Leather Soap aims to tap into increasing vanity among men through the £25.5m purchase of the Australian hair care brand
Categories: Chemicals
Gulf states urged to make petrochemical goods
Expansion in to products such as styrene and rubber through acquisition of European technology expertise could fuel job creation, says KPMG
Categories: Chemicals
Petrochemicals prices fall as demand dries up
Sharp drop in demand in China suggests industrial activity in the world’s manufacturing hub could be decelerating even more than reported
Categories: Chemicals
DuPont shares fall on profit warning
One of the world’s biggest chemicals makers dropped almost 5 per cent after the company warned on profits, citing weakening demand
Categories: Chemicals
Chemicals: sell-off looks overdone
Global chemical companies are trading at just 11 times forward earnings, according to Bloomberg data. That is about 15 per cent below the S&P 500
Categories: Chemicals
Asian demand for luxury cars boosts Victrex
The Lancashire-based group’s pre-tax profits jump 26% to £94.2m but warns of a softening in plastics demand in its key European markets
Categories: Chemicals
Scapa’s operating margins improve
Bonding and adhesives manufacturer’s pre-tax profit rises to £4.5m although revenues were up only 1% for the six months to September
Categories: Chemicals
BASF looks to double profits by 2020
World's largest chemical company to focus on emerging markets, new products and cost-cutting
Categories: Chemicals
Johnson Matthey sees boost from autos
Speciality chemicals company expects better second half as auto sector picks up
Categories: Chemicals
The Bottom Line:If Mr Cable has his way...
"If Mr Cable had his way, all the big banks would be broken up and bonuses would be virtually eliminated - a sure-fire way in my view of guaranteeing an end to the UK’s ability to compete as an international financial centre. Let’s not forget that this is a man who is on record as saying that everyone who works in a bank has an ‘aristocratic lifestyle’ clearly demonstrating his lack of understanding of the sector." A tough line on bankers’ bonuses could make a brain drain of financial talent a distinct possibility, warns Paul Marsden. Read more