McKinsey on Chemicals

Number 4
Spring 2012

Featured insights from the McKinsey Quarterly

The path to improved returns in materials commercialization
article

The path to improved returns in materials commercialization

August 2012—Six failure modes bedevil chemical companies when it comes to commercialization of new products and materials. Companies that deploy the right capabilities can dramatically speed up times to launch and to achieving meaningful revenues. more

Battery technology charges ahead
article | McKinsey Quarterly

Battery technology charges ahead

July 2012—New research suggests that the price of lithium-ion batteries could fall dramatically by 2020, creating conditions for the widespread adoption of electrified vehicles in some markets.more

Manufacturing resource productivity
article

Manufacturing resource productivity

June 2012—Manufacturers can generate new value, minimize costs, and increase operational stability by focusing on four broad areas: production, product design, value recovery, and supply-circle management.more

Mobilizing for a resource revolution
article | McKinsey Quarterly

Mobilizing for a resource revolution

January 2012—Over the next quarter century, the rise of three billion more middle-class consumers will strain natural resources.more

Another oil shock
article | McKinsey Quarterly

Another oil shock?

November 2011—It’s possible, though far from certain, that oil prices will spike in the years ahead. Here’s why—and how you can prepare. more

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Chemicals changing competitive landscape
article

Chemicals’ changing competitive landscape

May 2011—High energy prices and the global economy’s eastward shift are changing the formula for success. Newcomers must build capabilities, and incumbents must sharpen value propositions.more

Innovation in chemicals An interview with Dow Cornings CEO and CTO
interview

Innovation in chemicals: An interview with Dow Corning’s CEO and CTO

May 2011—Dow Corning’s Stephanie Burns and Gregg Zank talk about successful approaches to new-product and business-model innovation. more

Four lessons for transforming African agriculture
article

Four lessons for transforming African agriculture

April 2011—To succeed, African countries must narrow their focus and target high-impact projects.more

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More featured insights

article | Harvard Business Review

Selling into micromarkets

Micromarket strategy has emerged as the most potent new application of big-data analytics in B2B sales. This article authored by leaders of our Marketing & Sales practice uses a chemicals company as an example of how to successfully sell into micromarkets.

featureResource revolution

Resource revolution: Meeting the world's energy, materials, food, and water needs

Resource prices are rising and becoming more volatile. Without a resource revolution, we all face the prospect of damage to global growth, welfare, and the environment.more

articleUsing resources

McKinsey on Sustainability & Resource Productivity

This publication from our Sustainability & Resource Productivity practice aims at presenting insights and approaches that organization can use to transform how they manage resources and drive sustainable growth.more

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