
July 2, 2012 Cover
Volume 90, Issue 27
Volume 90, Issue 27
Although 2011 was a profitable year for many firms, production figures signal a slowdown
Credit: Shutterstock/Yang H. Ku/C&EN
» Full Article
July 2, 2012 Issue
Volume 90, Issue 27
July 2, 2012 Issue, Vol. 90 | Iss. 27
Facts & Figures Of The Chemical Industry
Although 2011 was a profitable year for many firms, production figures signal a slowdown
(p.37)
Features

Science & Technology
Alzheimer’s Prion Connection
Scientists debate public health impact of the prionlike behavior of neurodegenerative proteins (pp. 24-26)

Education
Higher education system in the U.S., engendered by the Morrill Act, sees its mission challenged (pp. 28-30)
Cover Story: Facts & Figures Of The Chemical Industry
Earnings Up Amid Weak Economy
As underlying demand wobbled, chemical firms used pricing power to improve finances
(pp. 38-51)
Consolidation Muddies Jobs Picture
Overall chemical employment grew slightly as acquisitions in the U.S. and Europe drove up company payrolls
(pp. 54-55)
Chemical Commerce Grows And Shifts
For the second year, trade in chemicals grew, especially with developing regions
(pp. 68-71)
Too Quiet After The Storm
After a rebound in 2010, chemical production hardly grew in 2011
(pp. 59-60)
News of the Week
Roche To Shutter New Jersey Labs
Pharmaceuticals: Planned closure is the latest big pharma retrenchment from the state
(p.7)
New Index Tracks Chemicals Sector
Business: Industry barometer indicates U.S. economy is slowing
(p.8)
Stem Cells Morph Into Blood-Brain Barrier
Chemical Biology: Scientists grow pieces of the brain’s defensive wall
(p.8)
FDA User Fee Programs Renewed
Congress passes legislation allowing agency to continue charging for drug, device reviews.
(p.9)
Reaching For Meta Substitution
Catalysis: C–H activation strategy might aid challenging problems in synthesis
(p.9)
Clariant To Sell Three Businesses
Specialties: Swiss firm pursues strategy to increase profitability, reduce market risks
(p.10)
Green-Building Standards Update Draws Fire
Energy: Proposed update to rating system sparks concern
(p.10)
Genomics Of White Rot Fungi Yields New Enzymes, Explains End Of Major Coal Formation
Comparative study of lignin-decaying organisms could open new avenues to biofuels
(p.11)
Why Supermarket Tomatoes Taste Bland
Plant Biology: Because of a genetic mutation, commercial tomatoes sacrifice flavor for uniform color
(p.11)
Departments
Business
Navigating The Slump In Fine Chemicals
Attendees at Chemspec Europe measure progress throughout a protracted economic downturn
(pp. 14-15)
Roquette Embraces Biobased Materials
French firm builds a portfolio of monomers and polymers derived from plants
(pp. 16-17)
Facts & Figures Of The Chemical Industry
Although 2011 was a profitable year for many firms, production figures signal a slowdown
(p.37)
Earnings Up Amid Weak Economy
As underlying demand wobbled, chemical firms used pricing power to improve finances
(pp. 38-51)
Consolidation Muddies Jobs Picture
Overall chemical employment grew slightly as acquisitions in the U.S. and Europe drove up company payrolls
(pp. 54-55)
Chemical Commerce Grows And Shifts
For the second year, trade in chemicals grew, especially with developing regions
(pp. 68-71)
Too Quiet After The Storm
After a rebound in 2010, chemical production hardly grew in 2011
(pp. 59-60)
Concentrates
(pp. 12-13)

- Efficiency Measures Help Drug Industry Performance
- IPIC And Oman Oil Plan Complex
- Carbide Found Not Liable In Bhopal Case
- BASF To Develop Color Technology
- PPG Licenses TiO2 To Chinese Firm
- Arkema Invests In French Fluoropolymers
- AFC Energy To Build 1-MW Fuel Cell Facility
- Toho Tenax Adds Carbon Fiber Capacity
- Gates, Drug Firms Partner For TB Drugs
- Qiagen Buys Sequencing Firm
- PerkinElmer Expands Laboratory Services
- Merck Workers May Get Quintiles Jobs
- Partners Launch Neviah Genomics
- Business Roundup
Government & Policy
Advancing Synthetic Biology
Students and researchers come together through events, networking to overcome obstacles
(pp. 20-21)
Education
Higher education system in the U.S., engendered by the Morrill Act, sees its mission challenged
(pp. 28-30)
Science & Technology
Marye Anne Fox
Departing UC San Diego chancellor reflects on her career, plans to focus on teaching
(p.35)
Deodorants & Antiperspirants
Fighting sweat and its odor for more than a century
(p.27)
Alzheimer’s Prion Connection
Scientists debate public health impact of the prionlike behavior of neurodegenerative proteins
(pp. 24-26)
Concentrates
(pp. 22-23)

- Chemists Isolate Elusive U≡N Complex
- Atmospheric Aerosol Structure And Chemistry Exposed
- Prions Partner With DNA
- Making Marinomycin A
- Nanotube-Based Paint Measures Structural Strain
- Pottery Dates Back 20,000 Years
- Microparticles Deliver Oxygen
- Cut-And-Sew Route Makes Fused Rings