A reliable catalyst

摘要

At a conference earlier this year Gary Adams of CMAI, a petrochemical consultancy, likened the petrochemicals industry to a $100 bill that had been crumpled, dirtied and trampled underfoot. The economic slowdown has squeezed demand for basic chemicals and plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is heavily used in the construction industry. At the same time new plants in the Gulf and China are adding to the problem of overcapacity. But like a soiled banknote, the industry retains its underlying value, Mr Adams insists.