ICIS Launches new eBook - Boom, Gloom and the New Normal

LONDON and NEW YORK, June 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Global chemical and energy information provider ICIS has launched a new eBook analyzing key macroeconomic shifts and their impact on future chemical demand.

The latest chapter of the eBook, called 'Boom, Gloom and the New Normal - How Western Baby Boomers are Changing Global Chemical Demand Patterns', is available for free download at http://www.icis.com/newnormalebook.

"Since the early 1980s, we have not had to suffer the multiyear downturns that were common in previous decades. This good fortune may be about to change," says Paul Hodges, co-author of the eBook, the ICIS Chemicals & the Economy Blog http://www.icis.com/blogs/chemicals-and-the-economy/, and chairman of UK-based consultancy International eChem.

A key shift in demographics in mature global economies in the US and Europe will have profound implications for petrochemical and polymers growth in the future, says Hodges.

Pumping billions of dollars into mature economies to release pent-up growth is futile, he adds.

"It is time for a new analysis of the underlying issues. This should start with the demographics, as this drives demand," Hodges argues.

"As we will discuss in future chapters of the eBook, there are plenty of exciting new ideas to power the next wave of global growth" says Hodges.  "We just need a change in mindset. The winners will focus on understanding how to profit from the transition to the New Normal.  For example, increasing life expectancy means the over-55s will soon be one-third of the Western population."

Co-author of the book is John Richardson, director of ICIS training Asia, who also writes the ICIS Asian Chemical Connections Blog http://www.icis.com/blogs/asian-chemical-connections/.

"The winners in this New Normal will be those who tap into megatrends - such as aging populations and increasing demand for food and drinking water," says Richardson.

"In Asia, the export-focused economies will have to re-focus on domestic demand. Their definition of middle class is quite different from the West. In China and India, you are already 'affluent' if you are earning as little as $5,000 per year," he notes. 

"The winners from the growth of these middle classes will need to ferociously control their costs and innovate downwards to make very cheap, but still-reliable, consumer goods."

ICIS and International eChem have also launched a new training course, aimed at  helping companies deal with the New Normal. Visit http://www.icis.com/newnormalseminars. Also keep up with insights from Hodges and Richardson in ICIS Chemical Business magazine. Subscribe today at http://www.icis.com/subscribe.

ICIS Chemical Business

ICIS Chemical Business is the leading global weekly magazine focusing on upstream, bulk commodity chemical and polymer markets.

ICIS

ICIS is the trusted information provider for the chemical and energy industries. ICIS aims to help companies in global commodity markets improve their revenues and profits by providing high quality, timely, commercially useful information, business leads and brand positioning across the globe. To find out more, visit http://www.icis.com

International eChem (IeC)

IeC are trusted commercial advisers to the global chemical industry and its investment community.  Clients include many of the world's major companies and financial institutions.

Reed Business Information

ICIS is part of Reed Business Information, http://www.reedbusiness.co.uk/ , (RBI), a division of Reed Business and a member of Reed Elsevier plc (525), (UK:REL) (US:RUK) (NL:45443) the world's leading publisher and information provider. RBI publishes over 100 market leading publications, directories and online services, and organises many industry conferences and awards. The RBI portfolio includes Banker's Almanac, Farmers Weekly, Flight International, ICIS, New Scientist, Totaljobs and XpertHR. For a full listing visit http://www.reedbusiness.co.uk

For enquiries, contact:

John Richardson, Director of ICIS Training Asia, ICIS. Tel: +65-6780-4356 Email: john.richardson@rbi.co.uk

Paul Hodges, Chairman, International eChem. Tel: +44(0)20-7700-6100 Email: phodges@iec.eu.com