The Mitsubishi Chemical Group announces that it has decided to increase the γ-butyrolactone (gamma-butyrolactone; “GBL”) production capacity of its Okayama Plant (Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture) by 2,000 tons/year. This expanded production is scheduled to start in July 2024. GBL is a high-purity solvent used as an electrolyte for capacitors and semiconductor parts cleaning solutions. It … Read more
DuPont announced that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of Spectrum Plastics Group, a recognized leader in specialty medical devices and components markets. “I am pleased to welcome our talented Spectrum colleagues to DuPont,” said Ed Breen, DuPont Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited to add Spectrum’s best-in-class advanced manufacturing capabilities, … Read more
Conagen, the bio-platform innovator and biomanufacturer, and Sumitomo Chemical, Japan’s leading chemical company, have announced to jointly develop p-hydroxystyrene (HS) and its polymer, poly p-hydroxystyrene (PHS), using a combination of biosynthesis, chemosynthesis and polymerization. The monomer and the polymer are 100% renewable carbon, marking a new era of sustainable production. Developing PHS using a combination … Read more
INEOS has completed the formation of a 50/50 joint venture with SINOPEC for the Tianjin Nangang Ethylene Project, announced in December 2022, which is currently under construction by SINOPEC and expected to be on-stream by April 2024. The petrochemical complex includes a 1.2 mtpa cracker, a new 500ktpa High-Density Polyethylene plant to produce INEOS pipe … Read more
BASF will increase the production capacity for its medium-molecular weight polyisobutenes, marketed under the tradename OPPANOL® B, at its site in Ludwigshafen, Germany, by 25%. The investment comes in response to the rising global demand for high-quality medium-molecular weight polyisobutenes. “With this step we are further strengthening BASF’s position as a reliable supplier that strongly … Read more
McDermott has been awarded a project management consultancy (PMC) and engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) contract for the Naphtha Cracker Expansion (Phase II) polypropylene expansion and new ethylene derivative unit project from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). The project is located at the Panipat Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, located 62 miles (100 kilometers) from … Read more
Ecopol, a leading developer and producer of innovative biodegradable films, announced the signing of a strategic investment from affiliates of SK Capital Partners (SK Capital), a leading private investment firm focused on the specialty materials, ingredients, and life sciences sectors. SK Capital is acquiring a majority interest in the company with Mauro Carbone, Ecopol’s CEO, … Read more
Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) announced that it was awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract by Mitsubishi Chemical Group for its SoarnoL™ ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) facility in Saltend Chemicals Park, Hull, United Kingdom. Fluor booked its undisclosed portion of the contract in the second quarter of 2023. “Fluor values our relationship with … Read more
The Hydrogen Utility® (H2U) and Vopak Terminals Australia (Vopak) have announced their collaboration in relation to H2U’s H2-Hub™ Gladstone project, a multi-billion renewable energy complex producing green hydrogen and green ammonia, proposed to be established in Gladstone, Queensland. H2-Hub™ Gladstone is the largest green hydrogen and green ammonia development in Queensland, with 3 GW in … Read more
Evonik, a prominent player in the chemical industry, is making noteworthy strides in its DL-methionine production plant expansion located in Singapore. To achieve a crucial milestone in the construction process, the production at the Singapore plant on Jurong Island will experience a temporary reduction for three months in the fourth quarter of 2023. Following this, … Read more
Chase Corporation, a prominent global manufacturer of protective materials for high-reliability applications, has recently disclosed that it is set to be acquired by an affiliate of investment funds managed by KKR, a leading global investment firm. The all-cash transaction, which includes the assumption of debt, is valued at approximately $1.3 billion. Under the terms of … Read more
SRF Limited, a chemical-based multi-business entity specializing in the production of industrial and specialty intermediates, has released its consolidated financial results for the first quarter ended June 30, 2023. The unaudited results were approved by the Board of Directors during a meeting held on the same day. Q1 Results: In the first quarter of the … Read more
Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, has successfully closed a landmark transaction to acquire a 10% interest in Rongsheng Petrochemical Co. Ltd. for RMB 24.6 billion ($3.4 billion), through its subsidiary Aramco Overseas Company BV, based in the Netherlands. The acquisition follows the signing of definitive strategic agreements by both … Read more
Air Liquide announces close to 200 million US dollars in investment in two advanced material production centers in Taiwan and South Korea. The investment aims to accelerate the development and manufacturing of new advanced materials while increasing reliability and improving the sustainability of its supply chain by localizing the production close to their semiconductor customers. … Read more
The Chemours Company announced they have engaged with the Interagency for Market Control of the Hellenic Ministry of Development (DIMEA), the Hellenic Police, and Hellenic Customs to stop illegal fluorinated gas (F-gas) refrigerants from entering the European Union (EU) at the Greek border. Approximately 15.6 tons of suspected unauthorized refrigerants including R-1234yf used as an … Read more
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has officially announced its commencement of formal negotiations with OMV AG to explore the possibility of creating a new combined petrochemicals holding entity. The proposed merger aims to integrate their respective existing shareholdings in Borouge plc and Borealis AG. Currently, Borouge is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange … Read more
Hy2gen, a leading company in the renewable energy sector, has recently unveiled its ambitious plans to construct a state-of-the-art renewable ammonia production facility in Campeche, Mexico. With a massive capacity of 200MW, the plant, known as the Marengo project, aims to generate an impressive annual output of 180,000 tonnes of renewable ammonia. The primary target … Read more
PreZero and Shell have joined forces through a collaborative agreement to tackle the challenge of recycling plastic by creating an innovative chemical solution. They acknowledge that not all types of plastic can be effectively recycled through mechanical processes, resulting in a significant gap in the circularity of plastic waste. To address this issue, both companies … Read more
Toray Industries, Inc. announced plans to increase regular tow carbon fiber production capacity at two facilities. Capital investments will add lines to the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA of Toray Composite Materials America, Inc., and the Gumi plant in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea of Toray Advanced Materials Korea Inc. These investments will increase the Toray Group’s … Read more
Johnson Matthey plc, a global leader in sustainable technologies, has signed an investment agreement with the Jiading District in Shanghai to help accelerate the hydrogen economy in China. At a signing ceremony in Sonning, UK today, JM and the Shanghai Jiading District announced plans to build a new catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) production facility, providing CCM … Read more