Carolyn Buller of Squire Patton Boggs takes a look back at a year like no other in chemicals

Squire Patton Boggs (SPB), a global law firm, has about one third of the top 60 chemical companies as clients and is constantly speaking with the industry about ongoing trends. The COVID-19 pandemic has made forecasting an even more treacherous business than ever and it is always hard to generalise over so broad a concept as speciality chemicals. ‘Specialities’ are a never-ending game – everything is or was a speciality until, one day, it no longer is.

Momentive Performance Materials has outlined what it calls “a series of steps to accelerate its global transition from commodity basics chemicals to speciality silicones”. By the end, it expects to have 300 fewer employees in the Capital Region, where it is also considering investment in R&D facilities.