The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the week of April 30, 2012, starts with a cover story on the search for PA-12 alternatives. PA-12, otherwise known as polyamide-12, or Nylon-12, is essential to automakers. But with Evonik responsible for roughly 40% of PA-12’s capacity, a March explosion at the company’s facility in Germany has thrown the auto industry into turmoil, with chemical suppliers scrambling to make up the PA-12 deficit. Also in the latest issue: a detailed report on the global plastics packaging market; a look at the penetration of bio-polymers into packaging; an exclusive interview with the CEO of Italy-based chemical manufacturer Eni Versalis; caustic soda contract prices in Europe are falling because of oversupply and weak demand; and more.
