PMC Acquires Lanxess’ Organotin Specialties Business

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

AkzoNobel Wraps up Acquisition of Aerospace Coatings Firm Mapaero

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

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

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

Umicore Announces Cathode Materials Supply Deal with Samsung SDI

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

AMG, Shell Catalysts & Tech form Catalyst Recycling JV

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

Arkema Expands Specialty Polyamide Powders Capacity in France

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

Merck KGaA Completes Acquisition of Versum Materials

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announced on Monday that it has completed the announced transaction with Versum Materials, Inc., a leading materials supplier to the semiconductor industry. Merck expects Versum to contribute around 270 million euros ($296.76 million) to group revenues by the end of the year. In April, Merck sealed a $6.5 billion takeover deal … Read more

Clariant mulls $1.5B Masterbatches sale to PolyOne

Clariant AG is in talks to sell its masterbatch unit to U.S. specialty materials maker PolyOne Corp., according to a report by Bloomberg. Clariant has been seeking about $1.5 billion for its Masterbatches business, which makes colorants and optical brighteners for polymers, according to the report. While discussions with PolyOne are the most advanced, the … Read more

BASF Enters into Natural Flavor and Fragrance Ingredients Market

BASF enters the market for natural F&F ingredients by acquiring Isobionics, an innovation leader in biotechnology which is serving the global market for natural flavors and fragrances (F&F), and through a cooperation agreement with Conagen, a leader in biotechnology research. Being known as a leading supplier of synthetic aroma ingredients, the company now broadens its … Read more

Polynt-Reichhold to Invest in Intermediate Production in the Americas

Polynt-Reichhold Group, a global leader in composite materials, intermediate chemicals, coating resins, thermosetting composites, gel coats, and niche chemical specialties, announced its decision to expand the successful integrated business model it employs in Europe and Asia to its operations in the Americas by investing in local production of Maleic and Phthalic Anhydride intermediates. Rosario Valido, … Read more

Chemours Receives Moore Medal for Developing Non-Fluorinated Bio-Based Water Repellent

The Chemours Company (Chemours), a global chemistry company with leading market positions in titanium technologies, fluoroproducts and chemical solutions, received the 2019 SCI Gordon E. Moore Medal for leading a team that developed Teflon EcoElite, a non-fluorinated, renewably sourced durable repellent for use in the consumer textile market. The development of Teflon EcoElite finish is … Read more

Petronas Chemicals Completes Acquisition of Da Vinci Group

Petronas Chemicals Group (PCG) has completed the acquisition of Da Vinci Group BV after fulfilling the conditions required in the share purchase agreement to complete the acquisition of 100% of the share in Da Vinci. PCG has agreed earlier this year to buy the Dutch specialty chemicals firm for a reported €163m (US$182m). In a … Read more

Sika Acquires Chinese Silicones Seals Manufacturer

Sika has agreed to acquire Crevo-Hengxin, a Chinese manufacturer of silicone sealants and adhesives used in both industry and construction applications. With this takeover, Sika is expanding its Target Markets Industry and Sealing & Bonding presence in China and the Asia Pacific region, and is gaining additional silicone technology plus a production footprint. Crevo-Hengxin generates … Read more

German Chemical Industry in the Doldrums

Lack of demand from industrial customers and the global economic uncertainties continue to create problems for the German chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Weak numbers for the second quarter of 2019 have prompted the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) to lower its full-year forecast for the third time in 2019. There is no improvement in sight, … Read more

Quaker Houghton to Acquire Operating Divisions of Norman Hay plc

Quaker Houghton announced on Thursday, 29th Aug that it has agreed to acquire the operating divisions of Norman Hay plc, a private UK company that provides specialty chemicals, operating equipment, and services to industrial end markets, for a purchase price of 80 million GBP ($98 million), subject to post-closing adjustments.  The divisions to be acquired … Read more

DIC to Acquire BASF’s Global Pigments Business

BASF and the fine chemical company DIC have reached an agreement on the acquisition of BASF’s global pigments business. The purchase price on a cash and debt-free basis is €1.15 billion ($1.27 billion). The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2020. The divestiture is subject to the approval of the relevant … Read more

Nouryon to Double Surfactants Capacity in Sweden

Nouryon will double capacity at its surfactants plant in Stenungsund, Sweden to support the growth of several existing products as well as new sustainable technologies for markets including oil and gas, lubricants and fuels, and asphalt. The €12-million expansion and upgrade project includes the installation of a new reactor and is expected to be completed … Read more

Meridian Adhesives Group Acquires Epoxies, Etc

Meridian Adhesives Group announced on Thursday the acquisition of Epoxies, Etc., a leading resin formulator of epoxies, urethanes and silicones. Arsenal Capital Partners created Meridian in 2018 as its platform in the global adhesives and sealants sector, focusing on high-value adhesives technologies. In May 2018, Meridian completed the acquisitions of Epoxy Technology and Adhesives Technology … Read more

Elkem ASA Acquires Silicones Producer Basel Chemie

Elkem ASA acquires Basel Chemie, a Korean producer of specialty silicone gels for cosmetics and water repellents for the construction industry. The acquisition gives Elkem access to leading technology in attractive end-user silicone segments and provides a solid platform for further development and growth. The companies have agreed an enterprise value of USD 26.9 million … Read more

Ion Exchange Inaugurates R&D Centre in Telangana, India

Ion Exchange (India) Limited, a leading water and environment management solutions provider,  announces the launch of its new Research & Development Centre at Patancheru in Telangana, of Southern India. The centre will focus on the company’s Chemicals, Resins and Membranes business. It will also provide technical and scientific support to the company’s existing technology and … Read more