Covestro has started production in its new plant for polyurethane elastomers systems at its integrated site in Shanghai, China. Groundbreaking for it had been announced in the summer of 2022. The investment is in the double-digit million Euro range. It is part of a series of investments in the Elastomers raw materials business the company … 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
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
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
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
Borealis, one of the world’s leading providers of advanced and circular polyolefin solutions and a European market leader in base chemicals, fertilizers, and the mechanical recycling of plastics, announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire Rialti S.p.A., an Italian polypropylene compounder, and recycler. Closing of this transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals. … Read more
Hong Kong SAR, China – BASF has broken ground on a polyethylene (PE) plant at its Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China. The new plant with a capacity of 500,000 metric tons of PE annually will serve the fast-growing demand in China. The plant is scheduled to start up in 2025. “China’s demand for PE has … Read more
The Lubrizol Corporation, a global leader in specialty chemicals, is advancing its commitment to continued growth in India with several significant projects across its portfolio. The company is pledging more than 150 million USD of in-region investment, including breaking ground on India’s largest CPVC resin plant in Vilayat, Gujarat, doubling capacity at its site in … Read more
In a recent development in the Brazilian chemical industry, Unipar Carbocloro, a major player in the chlor-alkali and PVC manufacturing sector, has put forward a non-binding proposal to acquire control of Braskem, the leading producer of polyolefins in Brazil. This move holds significant implications for both companies, as well as for the overall market dynamics … Read more
Toray Industries, Inc., announced that it will again increase production capacity for Torayfan biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film at the Tsuchiura Plant in Ibaraki Prefecture. The move is part of ongoing efforts to meet the growing demand for automotive capacitor film in an expanding market for electrified vehicles. When they go online in 2025, the … Read more
Shell has recently come under scrutiny for breaching emissions limits at its Monaca polyethylene complex in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. The violations have raised concerns among residents and environmentalists due to the potential health risks associated with increased air pollution. Shell has acknowledged exceeding the total emission limitations for air contaminants at its Pennsylvania plant, primarily … Read more
LanzaTech Global, Inc. and Plastipak Packaging, Inc. announced they have successfully produced PPKNatura, the world’s first polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin made from captured carbon emissions. The resin is suitable for food, personal care, and pharmaceutical packaging, as well as other non-packaging applications. PET is a polymer that is molded into plastic bottles and containers for … Read more
China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation has signed a key terms agreement with KazMunayGaz, the national operator of the oil and gas industry of Kazakhstan, for developing a polyethylene project in the Atyrau Region on May 18 in Xi’an, China. The agreement, signed during Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to China, marks that Sinopec will participate … Read more
German materials manufacturer Covestro inaugurated a new production line for high-performance Thermoplastic Polyurethanes (TPUs) that will be used for the production of paint protection films (PPF). The new line is located at the company’s existing site in Changhua, Taiwan. The investment and the expansion of its production capacities for high-performance Thermoplastic Polyurethanes at the site … Read more
DuPont, a leading global innovation and technology-based company, has announced the acquisition of Spectrum Plastics Group from AEA Investors. The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2023, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The purchase price of $1.75 billion will be paid from existing cash … Read more
W. R. Grace & Co has achieved another significant milestone in the Asian market with the start-up of a 500 KTA polypropylene reactor line by PetroChina Guang-Dong PetroChemical Company, a subsidiary of PetroChina Group. The plant will produce homopolymer, random copolymer, and impact copolymer polypropylene resins, catering to the increasing demand for high-quality PP resins … Read more
PureCycle Technologies, Inc., announced it has reached mechanical completion of its first polypropylene purification plant in Ironton, and submitted documentation to Leidos Engineering, LLC, the site’s independent construction monitor, for formal certification of completion. PureCycle prepared the final closure documentation consistent with the requirements set forth by Lei-dos and believes the information to be complete … Read more
Technip Energies has been awarded a contract by Ningbo Juhua Chemical & Science Co., Ltd. (Juhua) for a 1,3-propanediol (PDO) plant with a capacity of 72 kta (kilo tons per annum) and a 150 kta poly trimethylene terephthalate (PTT) plant in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. These two products are based on Technip Energies’ proprietary Zimmer® PDO … Read more
Evonik, a leading specialty chemicals company, has announced plans to double its global capacity for VESTAMID® E, a polyether block amide (PEBA) high-performance polymer. The move comes as demand for the raw material, which is used extensively in the global athletic footwear market, continues to surge. Major Expansion at Multi-User-Site in Shanghai Evonik’s capacity expansion … Read more