; Houston) is reconfiguring staff to address a vacancy at its Middle East/India bureau, as well as creating a new position wholly focused on the emerging Indian market. Tony Potter, managing director of CMAI's continental Europe office in Düsseldorf, Germany, as well head of the Europe/Middle East Olefins & Derivatives Market Advisory Service as the director of Europe & Middle East Olefins Studies, will leave Germany for Dubai to become the managing director/regional leader for the Middle East & India. The company has also hired Sanjay Sharma as director—India, a new position that will initially be based in Dubai though there are plans for an Indian office down the line. Sharma previously worked as a project manager for CMAI’s Business Advisory Services, and before that spent 15 years between Indian Petrochemical Limited (IPCL) and Saudi Basic Industries Co. (Sabic).

Gary Adams, CMAI president, told MPW that his company appreciates the short- and long-term importance of India with regards to the global petrochemical market for two key reasons. First, it considers its large population and expanding plastics and chemicals consumption, driven by a growing middle class. Secondly, Adams said CMAI weighs the geographic location of the Indian sub continent, positioned between exploding capacity in the Middle East and the growing Asian market, with its own production additions to be considered.

CMAI formed CMAI Europe GmbH in Düsseldorf in August 2006 with Potter at the helm. Adams said the company is actively seeking a replacement for Potter from within and without its organization. Potter replaces Pat Rooney, who has left CMAI to rejoin former employer, Aramco, the national Saudi Arabian oil and gas interest, which, through joint ventures, has rapidly expanded into downstream chemicals and plastics. The company’s dedicated Dubai office was established in 2004.

The company is also in the midst of updating its global outlook, looking at chemical demand/production balances around the world, as well as at economic metrics. Mark Eramo, executive VP market advisory services, told MPW that from initial data, CMAI is seeing growth in chemical consumption, but not a corresponding uptick in consumer demand. In many areas, the increased demand was fueled by a need to replenish inventories. —[email protected]