ICIS Reveals Chemical Industry's Top 40 Power Players

NEW YORK, December 8 - ICIS Chemical Business magazine has unveiled the ICIS Top 40 Power
Players for 2009 - the most influential people in the global chemical
industry.

"Power changes hands quickly, and the shift accelerates especially during
turbulent times. This year we have some big surprises," said Joseph Chang,
Global Editor of ICIS Chemical Business (www.icis.com/magazine).

"The rankings reflect reversals in fortune, as well as the emergence of
new dynamic leaders who will have a huge impact on the global chemical
industry for years to come," he added.

Taking the top spot this year is 38-year old Khadem Al-Qubaisi, managing
director of Abu Dhabi's International Petroleum Investment Co. (IPIC).

"At a time when most in the industry have been hanging on for dear life
in the fight for survival, Al-Qubaisi pushed IPIC forward through the
acquisition of NOVA Chemicals for US$2.3 billion in July," said Will Beacham,
Deputy Editor of ICIS Chemical Business and London Bureau Chief.

Al-Qubaisi is leading ambitious growth plans for IPIC, adding 4m
tonnes/year of petrochemical capacity at its Borouge facility within
two-to-three years and investing in ChemaWEyaat, a US$10 billion project
centered on a 1.4m tonne/year naphtha cracker due on stream in 2014.

Look for additional growth through acquisitions and joint ventures - the
company is in talks with a number of players to expand its reach and expects
to acquire a major European chemical company by the first quarter of 2010.
Al-Qubaisi aims to become the world's largest player in petrochemicals within
five years.

"I want IPIC to be a multinational hub for the petrochemical industry,"
said Al-Qubaisi in an interview with ICIS. "There will be more plants in Abu
Dhabi, plus expansions to existing plants. I'm interested in buying more
petrochemical plants worldwide."

Coming in at number two in the ICIS Top Power Players ranking is chairman
Jurgen Hambrecht, who is integrating the company's acquisition of
Switzerland's Ciba Specialty Chemicals.

At number three is Dow Chemical chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris, who is
working to integrate a big acquisition of his own - US specialty chemicals
company Rohm and Haas.

Both Hambrecht and Liveris have stabilized their companies and positioned
them for growth through one of the most difficult downturns the industry has
seen, said Chang.

The December 7 issue also includes the Top 10 Ones to Watch - the rising
stars that could have a big impact on the industry in the future.

Download the ICIS Top 40 Power Players on ICIS connect at
www.icis.com/icisconnect/groups/icis-downloads/media/p/3633.aspx
(registration required)

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provider for the chemical and energy industries. ICIS aims to help companies
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    For media inquiries, contact:
    Joseph Chang
    Global Editor
    ICIS Chemical Business
    +1-212-791-4224
    joseph.chang@icis.com
    www.icis.com

    Will Beacham
    Deputy Editor, London Bureau Chief
    ICIS Chemical Business
    T: +44(0)-20-8652-8683
    will.beacham@icis.com
    www.icis.com

For media inquiries, contact: Joseph Chang Global Editor ICIS Chemical Business, +1-212-791-4224, joseph.chang at icis.com; Will Beacham, Deputy Editor, London Bureau Chief, ICIS Chemical Business T: +44(0)-20-8652-8683, will.beacham at icis.com