Fred Aftalion's international perspective of the history of chemistry integrates the story of chemical science with that of chemical industry. This new edition includes events from 1990 to 2000, when major companies began selling off their divisions, seeking to specialise in a particular business. Aftalion explores the pitfalls these companies encountered as well as the successes of 'contrarians' - those companies that remained broad and diversified. He uses BASF, Dow, and Bayer as examples of true contrarians.