The EPA should set up formal working relationships with other federal organizations in order to improve research about pharmaceuticals and other contaminants in drinking water, according to a US Government Accountability Office (GAO) study published September 8. Although the amounts of pharmaceuticals found in public drinking water systems have been low, generally detected in parts […]

The outlook for the global solar industry has dimmed from last year. The industry is projected to grow relatively little this year. The slump is due to lower government subsidies and excessive capacity expansion over the past six months. Spot market prices of solar cells and wafers have declined 40% since January and in many […]

A global survey of 282 senior executives at pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and service firms found dissatisfaction with their companies’ level of innovation. Their companies’ R&D strategy was rated “moderately effective” by 49% of respondents. Cost was ranked by 47% as their firms’ biggest challenge (respondents ranked their top three challenges) to improving innovation, followed […]

In 2010, the aggregate profit margin for the firms in Chemical & Engineering News’ survey of the top 50 chemical companies was 11.4%, the highest profit margin in 15 years. Sales at the 49 firms showing similar year-over-year figures grew 25.3% to $857 billion in 2010. Operating profits for the 47 firms with similar year-over-year […]