'Chemicals and the Economy'

Read Paul Hodges' blog on key issues/influences facing the chemical industry:

Chemicals feel the wind of change

'Roll-through pricing' reappears

China exports inflation

(click to read the blog)

Listen to the EPCA 2007 podcast

Welcome to International eChem

We are trusted commercial advisers, with a global focus, to the chemical and associated industries.  Our team has an in-depth understanding of the issues, and of the ‘real world’ in which clients operate, due to our experience in working with many of the world's major companies.

Our Mission

To bring Creative Energy to Important Issues. and create value for clients in business/functional leadership roles, by personally assisting them to implement robust strategies that deliver sustainable profit   

Our Clients

Clients value us for the clarity and objective analysis we provide, our ability to 'think outside of the box', and for our commitment to help them with the practical  implementation of strategies, once these have been finalised.   

'Your continued input/contribution is highly valued and always informative'  CEO.  Your expertise is invaluable in ensuring we are focusing our efforts in the right way'.  Commercial Director.  ''Your analysis was spot on for me, and I was impressed by the depth of information and thinking'  Business Manager.  You made a very compelling argument in your valuable research paper and I fully subscribe to it'  Senior Government adviser. 'You really helped me a lot to gain a better perspective' Hedge fund manager.

Areas where we have been particularly active recently include: 

Strategic advisers.  We are currently advising a leading Asian company on their strategic options for the future development of their petchem business.  This includes an in-depth assessment of their current business, and relative competitive position, as well as a detailed implementation plan for future growth.  'We are grateful for your expertise', VP.

Business Development.  We acted as commercial advisers for two major petchem and refining/petchem projects in the Middle East.  Our role covered all aspects of the projects, including feedstock selection, plant configuration and operations, through to product marketing and sales. 'We relied on your active participation and guidance'  CEO.

Market analysis.  We provide detailed analysis of petrochemical markets, and price forecasts, for major companies and international banks.  Our aim is to help them to better understand and manage the commercial and financial risks created by today's more volatile oil and refining markets.  'You did a first-rate job, and your conclusions were well received by our Board.'  Head of Procurement   

Pricing for Profit.  We published an influential multi-client Study analysing the likely impact of a high oil price environment on the major petchem products, and proposing strategies to enable pricing to become a core competence.  For further details please click on:   Pricing for Profit

European major.  We developed a detailed commercial strategy, and assisted with its successful implementation, based on careful analysis of likely changes in European/Middle Eastern supply and demand balances.  IeC's 'involvement identified valuable short-term opportunities for us, within a robust longer-term framework.'  Purchasing Director.

'Financial Times' global pension fund investment strategy competition.  We won an Individual prize (against entries from pension funds managing £3.5 trillion of assets), setting out new ideas to help fund managers actively assist company managements to build earnings for the future, and move away from purely financial monitoring.   Click here for our winning entry:  'Influencing and Supporting Good Management' (pdf 440kb).  IeC showed 'clear professional understanding and definition of how investment activity can reward responsible and reduce irresponsible corporate behaviour'  Judges' comments. 

Conferences.  We run a very successful series of Conferences each year covering the key challenges facing the Aromatics & Derivatives industries.  The Asian Conference takes place in June, and the European Conference in November.  'This is an excellent Conference', Sasol Solvents; 'Topics and lengths of speeches, speakers and organisation very good', Total Petrochemicals;  'The overall conference was a fantastic seminar, it also provided good opportunities for meeting people', Petrogal. 

education & training

World Bank (IFC), Shell, SABIC, Permira.  We provide tailor-made training courses for organisations seeking to improve their understanding and awareness of the chemicals industry, its key issues, and the context in which it operates.  'This knowledge is invaluable to me:  I particularly liked the way in which John kept asking us questions so that we really remembered certain points.'  Product Manager.

Restructuring & new opportunities:

Global major  We led a successful £400m business restructuring.  This involved undertaking detailed industry/market analysis to develop a series of strategic options, gaining approval for the preferred option to be taken forward, and participating in the negotiations that then took place to implement it.  The process resulted in a 22% jump in the company's share price on the day that the restructuring agreement was announced.

Global major.  We took the lead in the development of strategic options for a €350 million financial restructuring; and advised on its successful negotiation through to completion.  'Our thanks for a truly excellent job.'  Head of M&A.

InnoCentive.  We undertook the successful European launch of this innovative venture, launched by the major pharma company Eli Lilly, aimed at creating a web-based community to enable top scientists from around the globe to solve relevant R&D challenges facing leading companies.

ChemConnect.  We launched this innovative online trading platform in Europe and raised $27m from BP, BASF, Bayer, Borealis, DSM, EniChem, ICI and Repsol to support its growth.  ChemConnect is now part of the  Intercontinental Exchange.

environment & sustainable development  

Chemical Management Services.  We are active in promoting the Chemical Management Services (CMS) methodology, in association with the non-profit Chemical Strategies Partnership of the USA and Green Alliance.   We developed a highly successful pilot project between Thames Water and Ciba Specialty Chemicals that reduced fixed costs by over 15% a year.  The methodology is now being rolled out across the UK.  'Cutting the cost of cleaner water' (click here for more details).

CMS aims to transform the chemical supply relationship into a value-added partnership between supplier and customer.  This can generate major cost-savings for both partners by optimising chemical use.  It therefore leads to increased resource efficiency and improved environmental performance.

Succeeding through Innovation.  We act as independent expert assessors for this £75m programme launched by the UK government's Department of Trade & Industry.  It aims to identify and fund specific technology priorities of critical importance to the growth of the UK economy.

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International eChem are advisers who deliver results