An unrivalled library of information for the chemical industry. The Fourth Edition is a complete revision of the previous edition and includes many new subjects reflecting the growth and changes in chemical technology through the 1990s. It consists of 27 volumes. In addition to updating traditional subjects, the new edition includes expanded coverage of biotechnology, materials science, computer technology, energy sources and conversion techniques, and environmental issues such as pollution control, toxicology, and recycling technology. "The Fourth Edition brings together over 1200 articles In-recognized experts in their areas of chemical technology, and deals with industrial products, natural materials, and processes in such fields as: agricultural chemicals, biotechnology, chemical engineering, coatings and inks, composite materials, computers in chemical technology, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, dyes, pigments and bnghteners, ecology and industrial hygiene, energy cоnservation and technology, tats and waxes, fermentation and enzyme technology, fibres, textiles and leather, tood and animal nutrition, fossil fuels and derivatives, glass, ceramics and cement, industrial inorganic chemicals, industrial organic chemicals, metals, metallurgy and metal alloys, plastics and elastomers, semiconductors and electronic materials, surfactants, detergents and emulsion technology, water supply, purification and reuse, wood, paper, and industrial carbohydrates. It also includes miscellaneous topics: instrumentation and quality control, information retrieval, maintenance, market research, material allocation and supply, legal issues, process development and design, product development and technical service, research and operations management (systems management, networks etc.), and transportation of chemical products.