Effective from 1 January 2019, PCC Specialties GmbH – a start-up within the PCC Group – has taken over the polyurethane business from its sister company PCC Prodex GmbH. In addition to PU systems, the company develops and markets chemical specialities for the paint and coatings, adhesives, and lubricants market segments.

Hennecke Group announced that it has moved its North American headquarters to a new purpose-built facility south of Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

On 24 January 2019, VMI Group announced the opening of a further two manufacturing halls at its new production facilities in Lezsno, Poland, as well as the appointment of Magda Sadowska as General Manager of the Lezsno facility.

Kraton announced on 19 February 2019 that it has initiated a process to review strategic alternatives for its Cariflex isoprene rubber (IR) business, which may result in a sale of that business.

On 17 January 2019, Evonik announced that it has acquired Structured Polymers Inc., a technology startup for 3D printing materials headquartered in Austin, TX, USA. A corresponding agreement and plan of merger was executed and the transaction has been closed recently.

Eni and Sabic on 8 February 2019 signed a joint development agreement to further develop an innovative technology for natural gas conversion into synthesis gas that can be further transformed into high value fuels and chemicals, such as methanol. The partnership will involve, among other activities, the construction of an industrial demonstration plant that will be built and operated inside an Eni industrial premises.

Vietnam earned USD 220 million from shipping 175,000 tons of rubber abroad in January 2019, up 10.8 percent in value and 28.9 percent in volume compared to the same month last year. Experts predict further growth in rubber exports this year with global demand set to rise 4.2 percent to 14.59 million tons, while total output is forecast at 14.84 million tons.

On 24 January 2019, the tyre machinery producer VMI Group opened a further two manufacturing halls at its production facilities in Lezsno, Poland, following “unprecedented success” of the plant. The Lezno site first started operations in 2017 and today has a workforce of over 150 people. According to VMI Group, in order to facilitate continuing growth, plans for a second phase, which will double the size of the plant, have also been brought forward. In addition, the company announced the appointment of Magda Sadowska as General Manager of VMI Poland.

The Indonesian government plans to subsidize rubber growers in March 2019 to improve the quality and price of the key commodity, South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru stated. The subsidy will come in the form of production facilities and cash assistance, he revealed in Palembang (South Sumatra) on Wednesday (13 February 2019).

The global market for thermoplastic elastomers is estimated to have grown at a compound average rate (CAGR) of 5.45 % in 2012 – 2017, even though it is an increasingly mature market. It is also expected to grow at about the same rate for 2017 – 2022, with a CAGR of 5.58 %. The Asia-Pacific region occupied an estimated 49.7 % in 2017, and will likely grow to a market share of 53.1 %, by 2022.