Chemistry International Blank Image
Chemistry International Text Image Link to Chemistry International Blank Image Chemistry International Blank Image Chemistry International Blank Image
Chemistry International Blank Image
Chemistry International Blank Image
Chemistry International Text Image Link to Current Issue
Chemistry International Text Image Link to Past Issues
Chemistry International Text Image Link to Officer's Columns
Chemistry International Text Image Link to Features
Chemistry International Blank Image
Chemistry International Text Image Link to Up for Discussion
Chemistry International Text Image Link to IUPAC Wire
Chemistry International Text Image Link to Project Place
Chemistry International Text Image Link to imPACt
Chemistry International Text Image Link to Bookworm
Chemistry International Text Image Link to Internet Connections
Chemistry International Text Image Link to Conference Call
Chemistry International Text Image Link to Where 2B and Y
Chemistry International Text Image Link to Symposia
Chemistry International Text Image Link to CI Indexes
Chemistry International Text Image Link to CI Editor
Chemistry International Text Image Link to Search Function
Chemistry International Text Image Link to Information

 

Chemistry International Text Image Link to Previous Issue Chemistry International Text Image Link to Previous Page Chemistry International Text Image Link to This TOC Chemistry International Text Image Link to Next Page Chemistry International Text Image Link to Next Issue

Vol. 29 No. 5
September-October 2007

Bookworm | Books and publications hot off the press.
See also
www.iupac.org/publications

Fine Chemicals—The Industry and the Business
by Peter Pollak
John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2007
ISBN 978-0-470-05075-0

reviewed by Alan Smith

This is a really excellent book, as one might expect from Peter Pollak, who has a wealth of experience in fine chemicals. The first section of this three-part book, “The Industry,” begins with essential definitions for commodities, specialty chemicals, and fine chemicals, before considering the technologies involved, the manufacturers and their facilities, R&D, and challenges being faced. The notes and comments added in smaller print are especially welcome, providing examples and small case studies to illustrate points made in the main text. Also provided is a fascinating insight into all the dramatic changes in this sector, including mergers and acquisitions and the growth of Chinese and Indian companies.

The second part, “The Business,” focuses on the main markets and strategies for fine chemicals, with emphasis on pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. This section discusses the best targets to focus on and provides particularly useful comments on pricing, intellectual property rights, and contracts. Throughout the book, the author tables the pros and cons of decisions facing those involved in fine chemicals.

The final part, “Outlook,” examines the trends and future growth by industry segment, with interesting tables and speculation on patent expirations. Increasing manufacturing costs for European companies, through the implementation of REACH (registration, evaluation, and authorization of chemicals) legislation, is predicted to have a major effect on activities in Europe. Scenarios for cooperation between Asian and Western fine chemical companies are explored. The author concludes by giving a rating scheme for European companies to judge how fit they are for the future.

Although the decrease in demand for fine chemicals for the agrochemical sector, brought about by GM crops, is discussed, it is too early to consider the effect of new technologies on fine chemicals for the pharmaceutical sector. Perhaps the next edition could speculate about the impact nanotechnology is starting to have on healthcare. Reformulation of drugs at the nanoscale is just beginning to provide lower loading of “actives,” and new concepts for accurate targeting of specific sites are being examined. A lot of research is being conducted in nanotechnology-based diagnostics, which potentially will detect diseases before they have taken a hold on the body. These will surely affect the fine chemical industry.

I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is working in the fine chemical industry or is in any way connected with it. Peter Pollak has provided an in-depth review in a logical style that is both easy to read and extremely
interesting.

Dr. Alan Smith <[email protected]> is a former director of BDH/Merck, where he ran the Advanced Materials business, which included liquid crystals. He was also head of Group Technology for Laporte during its growth in specialty chemicals. Smith is a member of the IUPAC Committee on Chemistry and Industry and an elected member from the UK on the IUPAC Bureau.


Page last modified 18 September 2007.
Copyright © 2003-2007 International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.
Questions regarding the website, please contact [email protected]
Link to CI Home Page Link to IUPAC E-News Link to IUPAC Home Page