Investment in US refineries is on the upswing due to increased profitability. Driven by higher oil prices, rising demand and years of underinvestment, US refining margins remain healthy. According to Wood Mackenzie, US demand for gas is forecasted to outpace supply over the next three years due, in part, to shutdowns of refineries, as upgrades […]

This month, the EPA published the “Framework for Metals Risk Assessment,” which examines the special attributes and behaviors of metals and metal compounds from the perspective of their effects on human health and the environment, and recommends strategies for future research by EPA risk assessors. As concentrations of environmental metals varies around the country, the […]

The FDA plans to define the term “gluten-free” for the purposes of food labeling. The FDA has produced a draft proposal in January and is accepting comments on the proposal until April. According to the FDA, a gluten-free food does not contain wheat, rye or barley; it also should not contain any ingredient made from […]

M&A activity among pharmaceutical outsourcing companies in 2006 was rapid. In this highly fragmented industry, consolidation often marked companies’ interest in establishing an international reach. Covalent Group’s acquisition of Remedium Oy is an example of this. Another trend was a shift among private equity firms towards expanding their portfolio outsourcing companies with an eye on […]