Specialty Chemicals

BASF to Expand Polyurethane Dispersions Capacity in Spain

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BASF SE announced a single-digit million-euro investment to increase capacity of water-based polyurethane dispersions at its Castellbisbal site in Spain. The expansion will allow BASF to increase its production capacity by 30%. “We want to continue to provide our customers with high-quality polyurethane dispersions and help them grow by ensuring supply reliability. Considering the rising … Read more BASF to Expand Polyurethane Dispersions Capacity in Spain

Solvay Boosts Light Stabilizers Capacity at West Virginia Site

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Solvay’s new high molecular weight (HMW) hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) capacity is now online, complementing existing HALS production at the Willow Island, West Virginia, USA, site. The facility was designed with the latest improvements in technology to ensure operator safety, reduce impact on the environment, and improve the quality and consistency of Solvay’s HALS … Read more Solvay Boosts Light Stabilizers Capacity at West Virginia Site

BASF Completes the Divestiture of its Ultrafiltration Membrane Business to DuPont

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BASF has closed the previously announced transaction to divest its ultrafiltration membrane business to DuPont Safety & Construction (DuPont). The divestiture includes the shares of inge GmbH, the business’ headquarters and production site in Greifenberg, Germany, including all employees, its international sales force, and certain intellectual property previously owned by BASF SE. Financial details of … Read more BASF Completes the Divestiture of its Ultrafiltration Membrane Business to DuPont

BASF to Sell Construction Chemicals Business to Lone Star Funds

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BASF SE announced that it has entered a deal to sell its construction chemicals business to Lone Star Funds, a global private equity firm for 3.17 billion euros ($3.5 billion). The deal, which has immediate effect upon BASF’s reporting, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2020, according to the statement. The deal … Read more BASF to Sell Construction Chemicals Business to Lone Star Funds

Ecolab Signs a Deal to Merge its Upstream Energy Business with Apergy

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Specialty chemical company Ecolab Inc. will merge its upstream energy business, Nalco Champion LLC with oilfield services provider Apergy Corp. The combined entity is expected to have pro forma sales of roughly $3.5 billion for the year and adjusted EBITDA of about $615 million, according to a Dec. 19 news release. The deal values Nalco … Read more Ecolab Signs a Deal to Merge its Upstream Energy Business with Apergy

PolyOne to Acqure Clariant Masterbatches in $1.45B Deal

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PolyOne Corp. announced that it had made a deal with Clariant AG to buy its masterbatches business for $1.45 billion. The deal is set for completion in the third quarter of 2020. The transaction values the Clariant business at $1.56 billion, representing roughly 11.1 times the annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). … Read more PolyOne to Acqure Clariant Masterbatches in $1.45B Deal

Hitachi in Talks to Sell Chemical Business to Showa Denko for $8.8 billion

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Hitachi Ltd said on Wednesday it would sell its listed chemicals business to electronic materials maker Showa Denko as the Japanese industrial conglomerate overhauls its business portfolio. Hitachi will sell its 51% stake in Hitachi Chemical for 494 billion yen ($4.51 billion) to Showa Denko. Hitachi Chemical is a supplier of materials for semiconductors, displays … Read more Hitachi in Talks to Sell Chemical Business to Showa Denko for $8.8 billion

Ferro to Sell Tile Coatings Business to Pigments Spain

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Ferro Corporation announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Tile Coatings Business to Pigments Spain, S.L., a company of the Esmalglass-Itaca-Fritta group, which is a portfolio company of Lone Star Funds. The deal was for $460 million in cash, with the potential for an additional $32 million in cash based on … Read more Ferro to Sell Tile Coatings Business to Pigments Spain

LG Chem Secures $5 B in Loans from S. Korean Lenders to Expand Battery Business

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LG Chem will be backed by South Korea’s state lenders with $5 billion in policy loans to finance its expansion in secondary battery factories across the world over the next five years as a part of the government push to promote battery business. LG Chem signed an agreement with Korea Development Bank, Export-Import Bank of … Read more LG Chem Secures $5 B in Loans from S. Korean Lenders to Expand Battery Business

Posco Chemical to Invest $107 M to Expand Anode Material Capacity

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Posco Chemical Co., a unit of South Korean steel giant Posco, will invest 125.4 billion won ($107.7 million) to ramp up annual production capacity of lithium-ion secondary battery anode materials to 66,000 tons to promptly respond to burgeoning demand from the electric vehicle market. The company said Monday that its board of directors approved its … Read more Posco Chemical to Invest $107 M to Expand Anode Material Capacity

SAGIA, Shell and AMG Sign Agreement to Build Catalyst Recycling Facility

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The Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), Shell Overseas Services Ltd. (Shell) and Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (AMG) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to evaluate the potential for construction and operation, subject to regulatory approvals, of a spent catalyst recycling facility in Jubail Industrial City, Saudi Arabia. The signing took place in Riyadh, Saudi … Read more SAGIA, Shell and AMG Sign Agreement to Build Catalyst Recycling Facility

Glenwood Private Equity Firm Acquires SKC Kolon PI

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Glenwood PE, a local private equity fund from S. Korea was selected the preferred bidder on Thursday to acquire a controlling stake in SKC Kolon PI Inc., a joint venture between South Korea’s SKC Co. and Kolon Industries Inc. that makes polyimide (PI) film. SKC and Kolon Industries said they’ve selected Glenwood PE as the … Read more Glenwood Private Equity Firm Acquires SKC Kolon PI

Royal DSM to Acquire Royal CSK, Combining Complementary Strengths in Dairy

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Royal DSM, a global science-based company in Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Living, announced that it has reached agreement with the shareholders of specialty dairy solutions provider Koninklijke CSK Food Enrichment C.V. for the acquisition of a 100% interest in the company for a cash consideration of about €150 million ($166 million). Subject to customary conditions, … Read more Royal DSM to Acquire Royal CSK, Combining Complementary Strengths in Dairy

Celanese Signs Strategic Agreement with Chinese Firm on R&D

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Celanese Corporation, a global chemical and specialty materials company, and Beijing Oriental Yuhong Waterproof Technology Co., Ltd., announced they have signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation and development agreement. The agreement aims to further expand cooperation in product research and development, expansion into emerging markets, and the advancement of industry, safety and environmental protection practices and … Read more Celanese Signs Strategic Agreement with Chinese Firm on R&D

PMC Acquires Lanxess’ Organotin Specialties Business

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PMC Group N.A., Inc. and Lanxess Organometallics GmbH announced that the parties have reached an agreement whereby PMC’s European subsidiary will acquire the organotin specialties product line from Lanxess. The transaction is scheduled to close by year end, subject to customary closing conditions. The Business includes Lanxess’ global organotin catalyst, organotin specialties and intermediates product … Read more PMC Acquires Lanxess’ Organotin Specialties Business

AkzoNobel Wraps up Acquisition of Aerospace Coatings Firm Mapaero

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AkzoNobel N.V. has completed the acquisition of French aerospace coatings manufacturer Mapaero, which was first announced in July. The deal will strengthen AkzoNobel’s global position in aerospace coatings, notably in the structural and cabin coating sub-segments. Combining the world class product ranges from both companies will also enable AkzoNobel to provide customers with a much … Read more AkzoNobel Wraps up Acquisition of Aerospace Coatings Firm Mapaero

Dow to Invest in Flexible Alkoxylation Facility on U.S. Gulf Coast

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Dow (The Dow Chemical Company) announced its plan to invest in an alkoxylation facility on the U.S. Gulf Coast. Upon completion, this new facility will support global growth in Dow’s core end-markets related to infrastructure and home and personal care, as well as additional end-markets where Dow continues to strengthen its position for the TRITON, … Read more Dow to Invest in Flexible Alkoxylation Facility on U.S. Gulf Coast

Umicore Announces Cathode Materials Supply Deal with Samsung SDI

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Umicore has signed a multi-year strategic agreement with Samsung SDI for the supply of close to 80,000 metric tonnes of high-performance NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) cathode materials starting in 2020. The cathode materials will be supplied from Umicore plants in different regions with the majority of volumes initially produced in Korea. A vast portion of … Read more Umicore Announces Cathode Materials Supply Deal with Samsung SDI

AMG, Shell Catalysts & Tech form Catalyst Recycling JV

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AMG, Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. and Shell Catalysts & Technologies have signed an agreement to form a joint venture which will be called Shell & AMG Recycling B.V.  The joint venture will provide a long-term sustainable solution for catalyst reclamation and recycling. Dr. Heinz C. Schimmelbusch, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of AMG, said “AMG … Read more AMG, Shell Catalysts & Tech form Catalyst Recycling JV

Arkema Expands Specialty Polyamide Powders Capacity in France

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Arkema brought on stream a new production line for ultra-high performance polyamide 12 powders at the Mont plant in France. The new line increases the company’s global capacity for the Orgasol-branded products by over 50%, Arkema announced on 8 Oct, without giving detailed figures. The new capacity will serve the fast-growing niche industrial applications, in … Read more Arkema Expands Specialty Polyamide Powders Capacity in France