Worldwide oil production is outpacing demand, and oil prices have fallen by more than 50 percent since June 2014. Many factors - including soft demand, increasing U.S. production and diminishing storage for crude oil - suggest that the days of $100-a-barrel oil may not return. This scenario presents potentially disastrous consequences for oil and gas (O&G) firms that are not prepared to accelerate their digital transformation. Innovative oil and gas firms, however, believe today's turbulent market landscape provides an opportunity to grab competitive advantage by harnessing new technologies, such as the Internet of Everything.

Some of the chemical industry's biggest companies plan to increase research investment this year, but they are holding back on capital spending.

DB Schenker has partnered with TÜV Rheinland, a solar industry testing company, to develop a new system for detecting transit damage sustained by photovoltaic modules.

By 2020, the average car will incorporate nearly 350 kg of plastics, up from 200 kg in 2014, according to analyst IHS Chemical. Meanwhile, the market for carbon fiber in car manufacturing will increase to 9,800 tonnes in 2030, up from 3,400 tonnes in 2013.

Conflict in Yemen risks spilling out into the busy sea lanes that pass it and potentially disrupt the narrow Bab el-Mandeb passage through which nearly four million barrels of oil are shipped daily to Europe, the United States and Asia.

DHL has expanded operations in Houston, with the opening of a new service center.