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November 6, 2012

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News for American Chemistry

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BASF's restructuring prioritizes plastics by market
BASF will have fewer business units after a restructuring that will separate commodity and specialty plastics. Engineering and lightweighting offerings, catalysts and coatings will be placed together and aimed at automotive and other markets. Bloomberg (11/5), Plastics & Rubber Weekly (U.K.) (11/6), Chemical Week (subscription required) (11/5), ICIS News (U.K.)/(subscription required) (11/5)

Policy Watch

Global chemical market to see M&A increase next year, analyst says
Global chemical consolidation declined this year, affected by weak economic conditions in multiple regions and the U.S. elections, said Leland Harrs of investment bank The PrinceRidge Group. The coming year, however, could bring increased deal-making. "The conditions are all there for increased activity. We are just short on the supply of assets for sale. There just aren't enough assets to satisfy demand," Harrs said. ICIS News (U.K.) (11/5)

China seeks to attract shale-gas developers through subsidies
China is offering incentives for developing shale natural gas resources, according to the Ministry of Finance. The subsidies could reduce development costs by 20% to 30% for certain shale plays, said Tian Miao of institutional broker North Square Blue Oak. Fox Business/Dow Jones Newswires (11/5)

Other News

States struggle to formulate fracking-runoff regulations
InsideEPA.com (subscription required) (11/5)

Report: Sandy's effect on materials sector wasn't as bad as initially feared
PlasticsNews.com (11/5)

Research & Innovation

PPG chief hails role of innovation in Pittsburgh's economy
PPG Industries Chairman and CEO Charles Bunch praises companies and universities for encouraging Pittsburgh's culture of innovation and entrepreneurialism. "I think that has been one of the real drivers here and I think is probably one of the advantages we have in this region," Bunch said. "All these spin-offs from our higher education and that's spawned this very healthy technology and innovation company development." American City Business Journals/Pittsburgh/Steel City Innovation blog (11/5)

BASF unveils innovation hub in Shanghai
BASF has opened in Shanghai its first Asia-Pacific innovation center. The $71.4 million investment will make the site one of the company's biggest facilities outside Germany, and its focus will be on green construction, materials and energy efficiency. Chemical Week (subscription required) (11/5)

Leadership & Management

Why bosses need workers who'll answer back


YouTube/JBaldoni52

Nobody likes back talk, but bosses should actively encourage employees to talk back to them, says John Baldoni. It's more important to hear uncomfortable truths than to have workers try to protect your feelings, Baldoni explains. "The man or woman at the top of the pyramid must work hard to enable people to speak truth to power," he says. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership (11/2)

7 steps to leading past your fears
It might be impossible not to feel scared sometimes, but leaders must work through that to keep team members brave and on track, Kevin Eikenberry writes. Among the seven steps he advises taking: "Acknowledge the team's emotions. If the team is scared, let them know it is OK; and be genuine with them about your feelings too." KevinEikenberry.com (10/29)

SmartQuote

It's impossible to move, to live, to operate at any level without leaving traces, bits, seemingly meaningless fragments of personal information."

--William Gibson,
American-Canadian author

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	Recent ACC SmartBrief Issues: Monday, November 05, 2012 Friday, November 02, 2012 Thursday, November 01, 2012 Wednesday, October 31, 2012 Tuesday, October 30, 2012			Lead Editor: James daSilva Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004

				The news reported in SmartBrief does not necessarily reflect the official position of the American Chemistry Council.