China’s economic growth has recently slowed, showing 7.8% real GDP growth in 2012 versus average annual growth of over 9%/yr. in the past five years and 10%/yr. over the past ten years. Similarly, by 1Q13 China’s imports of chemicals, metals and...

Over the next 20 years, based on existing growth rates, about $20 trillion of new plant investment is expected in the global chemicals (including commodities, specialties, fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals) industry; there was about $375 billion ...

Current stateWeak performance is apparent across most segments and regions in our financial analysis of 81 global chemical players. DuPont and Dow announced layoffs as a weakening business environment is apparent. The primary reason is poor demand...

Evolving elements are shaping the future mining industry. Accenture’s latest view of the future of mining, Achieving high performance for mining in 2020 covers some in detail. I would like to highlight two elements here -- new mineral resources an...

Materials (chemicals, metals and building materials) companies and their industrial customers have been building cash reserves and throttling major plant expansion and acquisitions since the recession of 2008-09. Their thrift mindset results from ...

The volatility of major commodities between 2000 and 2010 leapt up by more than 6 times from the previous decade, measured by changes in standard deviation. Chemicals, metals and mining companies (mainly basic materials) have suffered from an in...