The Weekly News Update is a weekly roundup of business news from around the Asia-Pacific region, covering Fusion Consulting's core industry practices: chemicals, consumer & retail, financial services, industrial & logistics, information & communication technology, life science and media & leisure. If you have colleagues or friends who may be interested in subscribing, please forward this email to them and copy knowledge@fusionc.com.    Major chemical company expansion in Asia-Pacific   Rohm & Haas has been named the most vigorous chemical company in  Asia-Pacific in the latest Asia-Pacific Chemical Business Vitality Index report,  out-competing its chemical and energy sector peers with a winning combination of  regional presence, revenue performance and innovation. Request your free copy  here.

Chemical

Korea - S-Oil and Total launch lubricant joint venture Source: Korea Herald, 09 May 2008 S-Oil Corp. has launched S-Oil Total Lubricants Co., a joint lubricant venture with Total S.A., the world's fourth largest oil company. S-Oil integrated its lubricant business into Total's lubricant subsidiary in Korea, aiming to further tap the fast-growing global lubricant demand. The two companies agreed to hold a 50% stake each in S-Oil Total Lubricants Co., which they will jointly manage. The new company will have a capital of W35 billion (US$33.5 million). It also estimated the new firm will take in more than W200 billion (US$191.4 million) annually. India - BASF to strengthen its automotive business Source: European Coating Newsletter, 12 May 2008 BASF announced its plans to expand its offerings for the automotive industry in India with investments in plants and technology. BASF Coatings commissioned a new Refinish Color Lab at Mangalore in February 2008, and is expanding its e-coat facility, which is expected to be completed by end of 2008. Furthermore, the company will build a new engineering plastics compounding plant and has set up a computer aided engineering (CAE) lab in Thane. In 2007, BASF derived over 13% of its total global sales of EUR58 billion (US$90 billion) from sales to the automotive industry. China - Chemical and chemical fiber industries report flagging growth Source: Xinhua Business Weekly, 12 May 2008 The profit growth of China's chemical and chemical fiber industry slowed down in January and February 2008, due to pricier raw materials. The profit of chemical industry was up 15.9%, 35.5% less than in 2007 and that of chemical fiber industry down 0.2%. During the period, the profit in inorganic chemical raw material, chemical fertilizer and pesticide sectors jumped 130%, 78% and 150%, respectively, propelled by product price hikes. Daily chemical industry and tire industry recorded 16.8% and 41.8% of profit growth, shy of 2007 gains. Profits of organic chemical industry and synthetic industry dropped 52.2% and 22.3% in comparison with the first 11 months of 2007, caused by slower export of light industrial and textile products. View an example of our experience in this industry. Back to list of articles. Visit our website to sign up for free intelligence on Asian markets.

This Weekly News Update is a free newsletter, providing a round-up of the week's Asia-Pacific news from our core industry practices. If you have colleagues or friends who may be interested in subscribing, please forward this email to them and copy knowledge@fusionc.com.

Fusion Consulting is a business intelligence consultancy providing clear strategic advice on Asia-Pacific markets. With offices in Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong and 400 industry consultants in 16 countries, we conduct custom research and consulting to help companies understand their markets, compete more effectively and grow into new areas of opportunity. Email more@fusionc.com or visit www.fusionc.com for more information.