Articles covered in this issue:
The global chemical industry – Will the future unfold as expected? Or do uncertainties lie ahead?
Dr. Alexander Keller, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
What do developments in the global chemical industry mean for India? This article takes a closer look at expected developments and less certain eventualities.
Asia: The emerging force in the global natural gas market
Abhinav Goel, India Ratings & Research
Almost half of the incremental gas demand is likely to come from Asia in the future, a large part of which will be met through LNG imports. Asia is expected to have a significant impact on global natural gas trade, global demand/supply balance and therefore on global market prices.
Making India a chemicals manufacturing hub: Challenges & Solutions
Dr. Jacques Perez, Lanxess India
Being the third largest in Asia, the Indian chemicals industry is also a key exporter of agrochemicals, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. The opportunity for further growth is immense, given that a number of factors such as rapid rate of urbanization, rising middle class, a demographic advantage and a pool of talent with different skill sets, are all in its favour.
Crowdfunding and chemistry
Ian Maxwell, BT Imaging
Venture capitalists rarely invest in chemistry-based start-ups because they are usually unprofitable. In such a scenario, innovative crowdfunding techniques can be explored to source funds from untapped investors.
Shale gas exploration in India harnessing the potential for energy security
Dr. V K Rao, Industry Consultant
This article explores shale opportunities available within India that could be tapped to address
energy security issues in the country. The article also discusses challenges with respect to technology development, availability of water and land acquisition issues.
Emerging feedstock scenario for the chemical industry in India
NS Venkataraman, Nandini Consultancy
This article reviews the challenges faced by the chemicals industry in terms of feedstock availability and explores the opportunities available in coal technologies to meet the country’s energy requirements.
Addressing environmental challenges through fundamental research
Ravi Rao, Vice-President, R&D, Dow India
Adoption of cleaner and safer chemistry can potentially address twin issues of sustainability and productivity. This article highlights innovations which are recognized for their ability to address sustainability at the molecular level.
Chemicals regulation in Asia
Dr. Michael Cleuvers, Dr. Knoell Consult
Globally, chemical legislations are being constantly revised and newer ones are being implemented.This article briefly reviews the regulatory compliances to be met across the globe and how it impacts businesses of key stakeholders of the chemical industry, particularly in Asia.
The engineering and process equipment scenario – Challenges and possible solutions
Chemical Industry Digest
Plummeting oil prices and a reform-oriented government portends well for India’s engineering and process equipment industry. Adoption of trending technologies and innovative techniques will help this fragmented industry to address some of the key challenges it faces today.
Opportunities in India in the evolving global petrochemical industry
Manish Panchal, Charu Kapoor, and Binay Agrawal, Tata Strategic Management Group
The global petrochemical industry is changing with shale gas discovery in the USA, anaemic growth in developed economies and emergence of Asia as a major consumption hub. This creates both challenges and opportunities for India.
Fertilizer industry market outlook 2015
Dr. MP Sukumaran Nair, Industry Consultant
The article delves on issues plaguing the fertilizer sector, rising imports, government’s subsidy regime that has led to soil nutrient deficiency and corrective measures the newly appointed government should take to attract much-needed investments to boost productivity and profitability.
The Indian pharmaceutical industry in the global context – Emerging perspectives
Dr. M.D Nair, Industry Consultant
There is an increasing realization that a paradigm shift in approaches is needed if the problems facing the pharmaceutical industry are to be satisfactorily addressed and it is imperative to define India’s role in these changes.
A perspective on the Indian chlor-alkali market
B S Gilra, Alkali Manufacturers Association of India (AMAI)
The Indian chlor-alkali industry has been facing challenges and competition from within the country and from other exporting countries. This article provides an overview of the Indian chlor alkali market and highlights key issues that need to be addressed to sustain a respectable growth rate.
Cut through complexity and unlock value with supply chain management
Laura Rokohl, AspenTech
Chemical industry needs the latest technology to support demand-driven strategies to unlock the potential in its supply chains. Thus, aligning supply chain business processes with leading-edge software can be fundamental in improving customer satisfaction, reduced inventory and cost reduction to achieve greater profitability.
How to mix and match generations and nationalities in today’s constantly changing workplace
Patrick Ropella, Ropella Group
More and more companies are hiring people of different nationalities, often putting them to work directly under a supervisor from a vastly different nationality. This can create potential landmines if executives and coworkers don’t take time to understand the newcomers’ background and explain what is expected of them.
