Managing the effects of the business cycle in the chemical industry

by | Sep 2008

Companies in many segments of the chemical industry – particularly in the more commoditized segments – are highly exposed to the business cycle. In other words, their businesses tend to be quite profitable at the peak but margins are low or even negative in downturns...

Developments at the outposts of the chemical industry

by | May 2008

Although chemical firms also feel the omnipresent demand for growth and profitability, they often lack the internal ability to develop successful new products or services. While having already largely exhausted classical levers for reducing costs and improving...