Industry news of the polymerindustry - Dr. Gupta Verlag

Lehigh raises USD 8 million for expansion

The US company Lehigh Technologies, Inc. based in Atlanta, GA, announced the closing of an USD 8 million strategic financing round to support its geographic expansion and technology roadmap.

Hexpol buys two compounders in the US market

Hexpol has acquired RheTech LLC and RheTech Colors from the founders’ families for approximately USD 112 million on a cash and debt-free basis.

Cabot Corporation realigns business reporting segments

The Cabot Corporation announced that it has realigned its global business segments. The new segment structure is designed to improve efficiency and resource prioritization. It will also enable stronger customer focus and better align with the recently announced organizational structure.

WORLD: Global synthetic rubber demand to top 21-million tons in 2023, predicts IRSG

Worldwide demand for synthetic rubber is expected to be 16.8-million tons this year, rise to 17.5-million tons in 2016, and further climb to 21.5-million tons in 2023, according to the International Rubber Study Group’s (IRSG) recently published World Rubber Industry Outlook (WRIO).

New platform for European rubber research

National rubber associations and several benchmark rubber laboratories established ERRLAB – European Research & Rubber Laboratories, a new network of laboratories for research and testing in rubber applications.

THAILAND: Farmers sell discounted rubber saplings to survive lackluster business

Rubber growers affected by the falling rubber price have worked out ways to survive the sluggish state of the industry by selling rubber saplings at weekend markets.

NIGERIA: Petroleum, petrochemical imports will end under Industrial Revolution Plan

Nigeria will reduce its dependence on imports of petroleum and petrochemical products by 2018 under the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) announced last year, according to reports quoting Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga.

CHINA: Amec Foster Wheeler awarded contract for Chinese coal-based chems project

Shenhua Ningxia Coal Group has awarded a three-year project management contract to Amec Foster Wheeler for Shenhua's coal-based chemical by-product deep processing complex utilization project in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous region in northwest China.

CHINA: Lihuayi lets technology license to Badger for new BPA plant being built in China

Badger Licensing said it has been selected by Lihuayi Weiyuan Chemical Co. to provide its proprietary technology for Lihuayi's new 120,000-t/y bisphenol-A (BPA) unit being built in Lijin, Shandong Province, China.

Stepan sells its Specialty Polyurethane Systems business

Stepan Company announced the sale of its Specialty Polyurethane Systems business ("KITS") to J6 Polymers, LLC. The company said the 2014 net sales associated with this business were USD 2.8 million.

SAUDI ARABIA: Sabic is undeterred by lower oil prices; plans for expansion projects continue

Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (Sabic) will not be adversely impacted by declining oil prices and is continuing with its expansion plans, according to a regional media report quoting Sabic Chief Executive Mohamed Al Mady.

QATAR: Qatar Petroleum & Shell drop plans for proposed Al-Karaana petrochemical project

Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Shell have decided not to proceed with the planned Al-Karaana petrochemicals project in Ras Laffan, Qatar.

SINGAPORE: Shell completes expansion at Pulau Bukom to raise ethylene capacity by 20%

Shell Chemicals has restarted its Pulau Bukom, Singapore, ethylene cracker following a three-month maintenance turnaround in which the cracker's capacity was increased by 20%, according to local media reports.

Ceresana analyses the global market for toluene

Fuel additives or solvents, basis for polyurethanes or even explosives: Toluene is used in a wide variety of applications. "The market volume is considerable", says Oliver Kutsch, CEO of the market research institute Ceresana: "In 2013 toluene worth USD 24.5 billion was sold worldwide." The new 'Market Study: Toluene' published by Ceresana analyses the world market for this important petrochemical.

Call for Presentations: PFA Technical Program 2015 in Florida, USA

6 March 2015 is the deadline for submitting abstracts for technical presentations for the Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA) Technical Program to be held at the organization’s spring meeting at the Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg, FL, USA, 20 – 21 May 2015.

SPE calls for nominations for 2nd annual “Plastic for Life” global parts competition

The Society of Plastic Engineers (SPE) announced its second annual “Plastics for Life” global parts competition and issued a call for part nominations.

Graco completes acquisition of High Pressure Equipment company

Graco Inc. announced that it has completed the acquisition of the stock of High Pressure Equipment (HiP) company for USD 160 million.

Tire Technology Expo 2015 preview

The 15th Tire Technology Expo is set to take place from 10 – 12 February 2015 in Cologne, Germany. According to the organiser Ukip Media & Events Ltd., the event has grown in strength and stature every year since it was started 15 years ago and today is Europe's leading international tyre design and tyre manufacturing exhibition and conference in Europe.

BASF celebrates 150th anniversary

BASF turns 150 in 2015 and has announced its anniversary programme in an international press conference in Ludwigshafen, Germany. In addition to celebrations and a historical retrospective, BASF has prepared a global co-creation programme with partners on the topics of energy, food and urban living. As part of this programme, called Creator Space, BASF says it is taking a new approach in accordance with its “We create chemistry” strategy.

Momentive Specialty Chemicals renamed Hexion

Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc. has changed its name to Hexion Inc., effective from 15 January 2015.

More news can be found in the Archive