Sometimes the blog’s mind goes back to its happy days in Houston, Texas, when it set up and ran ICI’s feedstock and petchems trading office. And it thinks through the factors that it would have considered when deciding whether to buy, sell or sit on the sidelines. The memory came back during last week’s lively ACS webinar, when […]
Chemicals and the Economy
Four things we think we know, but probably don’t
Knowing that we don’t know something makes us uncertain and cautious. If, for example, we come to a dangerous corner in the road when driving, we see the sign and slow down. Its when we are driving on a bright winter morning and don’t look for the ice under the trees that we end up in […]
US New Old 55+ generation makes major move back into the workforce
We had another excellent audience for Thursday’s ACS Chemistry and the Economy webinar. We were swamped with questions both before and during the session, which kept moderator Bill Carroll and the blog on their toes right until the end. The above chart came from the early part of the session, and focused on the two […]
US shale revolution puts squeeze on European chemicals groups
The Financial Times has carried an excellent analysis this week of the key shale gas issues facing the European chemical industry. It includes comments from a number of CEOs, as well as from the blog. Its key points are as follows: THE STRATEGIC DILEMMA “European petrochemical makers risk being squeezed between low-cost producers in the Middle East […]
Japan’s ageing population challenges hopes of economic growth
The blog’s new series on the likely demographic impact on the world’s Top 5 economies today moves across NEA to focus on Japan – the world’s 3rd largest economy ($6tn). As the chart shows: It has seen life expectancy (red column) increase by a third since 1950, to reach 82 years today At the same time, its […]
ACS webinar on Thursday
Will 2014 finally be the year of economic recovery? There are signs of a stronger economy in the US and Europe. Pharma is shifting and downsizing as it works. How will all of this affect you in 2014? The blog will discuss these and other key issues with American Chemical Society chairman Bill Carroll, in its regular Chemistry […]
“No pain, no gain” the outlook for China in 2014
Its been a great year for polyethylene (PE) demand growth in China. But whether this relates to real or speculative demand, and whether it will continue next year, is another story. As the chart shows, with trade data from Global Trade Information Services: Overall demand has surged 14% in 2013 (red column) versus 2011 (blue) […]
Boom/Gloom Index hits record high as western financial markets soar
The best view is always from the top of the mountain. At least that is how it feels today, with this month’s IeC Boom/Gloom Index (blue column) hitting a record high. Nor it is alone, as the S&P500 (red line), the world’s most important financial market index is also at record levels. Central banks broke […]
Nelson Mandela dies aged 95
The blog would like to pay its respects to Nelson Mandela, who died overnight. Everyone will have their own memories of the great man, their own sense of his character. The blog will most remember his leadership through the long dark years of apartheid. And perhaps even more importantly, his forgiveness when finally he was released […]
European oil travels the world as market complacency increases
The blog has a suggestion for a quiz question for anyone planning party games over the Christmas period: Q. What was the longest distance travelled by a cargo of crude oil in 2013? A. 9000 km (5500 miles) from Scotland to China Isn’t that amazing? We are constantly being told that supply is short, and that today’s high prices are […]
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