Waxman to head House Energy and Commerce Committee
House lawmakers have named Representative Henry Waxman (D., CA) to head the  powerful Energy and Commerce committee, a set back for incumbent chairman John Dingell (D., MI) who has been the committee’s top Democrat since 1981. The committee will...

Rhodia and Arkema Cut Output in France
Some units could be closed temporarily....

Showa Denko to Establish High-Purity Ammonia JV in China
Showa Denko says it plans to establish a joint venture company at Quzhou, Zhejiang province, China, to produce high-purity ammonia for the electronics industry. Showa Denko will have 51% stake in the jv dubbed Zhejiang Quzhou Juhua Showa Electronic Chemical...

Another Shipowner Diverts its Tankers from the Gulf of Aden Due to Pirate Attacks
A.P. Moller-Maersk will route its vessels round the Cape of Good Hope....

Free Falling
The rate at which industry demand continues to disintegrate in late 2008 is startling. Alarms have been sounding since the financial crisis swelled in September, pushing anxious consumers and industrial buyers to the sidelines worldwide. Inventory depletion...