Industry: Energy Transition

While solar energy’s growth pangs continue to challenge industry leaders, First Solar, the Arizona-based world’s largest maker of solar cells, breaks into the difficult Chinese market with a $5-6-billion deal to build a two gigawatt plant. Meanwhile, a stock analyst downgrades the company’s stock from “hold” to “sell” and halves the target price.  Why?  In […]

Chemical companies announce price increases to combat energy costs Several companies such as Dow Chemical, Rohm & Haas, and Huntsman, announced their plans to increase prices for all their products. Dow Chemical Company announced that on June 1 it will raise the price of all of its products by up to 20 percent – depending […]

Total and Saudi Aramco consider the construction of a petrochemicals complex in Saudi Arabia Saudi Aramco and Total are planning to proceed with a previously announced refining and petrochemical project at Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The decision follows a comprehensive, joint front-end engineering and design study launched two years ago. The refinery will have a […]

Rumor mill – “Daulat” – the new name for Dow Chemical JV with Kuwait Petroleum??? There are rumors about the new name for a joint venture between Dow Chemical and Kuwait Petroleum. The new JV Company is rumored to be called Daulat. The word Daulat means wealth and prosperity in Arabic. The joint venture between […]

My Turn – Dr. Balaji B. Singh – New found focus on Africa –Middle East – The Last Frontier! Comments: Without exception, the major trend for the future will involve Africa – Middle East, Eastern Europe, and/or a combination thereof with China and India. It is a tribute – great minds think alike! Almost all […]

My Turn – Dr. Balaji B. Singh – Three Potential Disruptive Scenarios for the U.S Energy Picture Beyond Year 2010 Comments: Based on a strategic study of the Global Energy picture future direction, three major scenarios were identified as Low Probability – High Consequence Events that could disrupt the U.S Energy Picture. Organizations planning on […]

My Turn – Dr. Balaji B. Singh – Financial Buyers vs. Strategic Buyers – Impact on the U.S Chemical Industry Is the ongoing bidding war for Huntsman Corporation and Huntsman International LLC yet another sign of the stage of maturity and the need for house cleaning in the mature, low-growth, sunset–chemical industry in North America???? […]

My Turn – Dr. Balaji B. Singh – Specialties are Special The advanced nations with low projected polyolefins growth, the Middle East/China the future commodity players, ASEAN countries who are worried about the future impact of Chinese imports – everyone alike is focusing on specialties. Specialties as a means of product differentiation via innovation, R&D, […]

My Turn – Dr. Balaji B. Singh – Plan on attending the FlexPO2007 Polyolefins and Elastomers Conference October 17-19, 2007 where we are bringing together for the first time, the whole Polyolefins world to Bangkok to meet, exchange and plan for Global growth. For more information visit www.CMRHouTex.com Basell sells 50th Lupotech T technology license […]

My Turn – Commentary by Dr. Balaji B. Singh Some good reasons to attend Flexpo2006 in Houston, Sept 20-22, 2006 1. Overview of innovative developments in Olefin Block Copolymers from most major organizations including, Dow, ExxonMobil, Sumitomo, Mitsui, Universities, etc., Get a good start on this new growth area – what is it? When was […]

My Turn – Commentary on Global Polyolefins and Elastomers – Dr. Balaji B. Singh Conferences serve a vital role in keeping up with the latest developments and interacting with colleagues who have the same goals and objectives in mind. We don’t understand what it is with the organizations. The marketing/salespeople who have the money are […]

My Turn – Commentary on Global Polyolefins and Elastomers – Dr. Balaji B. Singh Disappearing Giants of Polyolefins and Elastomers – With the recent disappearance of Amoco-BP-Innovene, another giant bit the dust. The difference this time – Innovene a much-tooted polyolefins spin-off of BP-Amoco did not even survive the first anniversary of their inauguration. We […]