Siluria Technologies and Saudi Aramco Technologies have executed a multi-plant technology license for the integration of Siluria's natural gas-to-olefins technology with Aramco's high-olefins cracking process technology. Siluria's proprietary technology, based on oxidative coupling of methane chemistry, is available for license in stand-alone configurations, as well as integration within a wide range of existing process plants, including steam crackers, propane dehydrogenation units, methanol plants and oil refineries, Siluria explained.

Shandong Wonfull Petrochemical Co. has selected Honeywell UOP's C3 Oleflex propane dehydrogenation technology for the production of 250,000 t/y of polymer-grade propylene at its facility in the Huantai Economic Development Zone, Shandong Province, China.

Rubber businesses should devise sustainable development strategies to maximise opportunities generated by the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), experts said at a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City on 14 June 2018. 

Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. announced that it has completed an equity funding round led by its largest investors. The company uses a collaborative business model.

On 8 June 2018, Kraton announced a general price increase of 200 USD/t for all Kraton HSBC polymers. Subject to the terms of any applicable contracts, these price increases will take effect 15 June 2018.

Orion Engineered Carbons GmbH announced that it will increase the prices for all rubber carbon black grades in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Effective from 1 August 2018 or as contract terms allow, the prices will be adjusted by 70 to 90 EUR per tonne.

Biesterfeld Polybass S.p.A. is expanding its long-standing collaboration with ExxonMobil Chemical by commencing distribution of Vistalon EPDM rubber in Italy.

In order to offer well-founded solutions with regard to hard/soft combinations, the Swiss polyamide expert Ems-Grivory will be cooperating with TPE manufacturer API, recently acquired by Trinseo.

Mitsubishi Chemical Performance Polymers Europe B.V. announced that it has acquired Dutch Filaments BV, a manufacturer of 3D printing filaments with over 70 employees and a production site in Helmond, The Netherlands.

The Lubrizol Corporation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 24 May 2018, celebrating the successful start-up of its latest TPU capacity expansion in Avon Lake, OH, USA. The company said it has invested USD 27 million at the site, creating 15 new jobs. Details of the production capacity were not disclosed. According to Lubrizol, the expansion is part of its strategic global capacity expansion programme supporting the Engineered Polymers business and product lines including Estane TPU, Pearlthane TPU, Pearlbond TPU and others, totalling nearly USD 80 million across the globe.