Huntsman Corporation announced that it has completed the acquisition of Gabriel Performance Products, a North American speciality chemical manufacturer of speciality additives and epoxy curing agents for the coatings, adhesives, sealants and composite end-markets, from Audax Private Equity.

BASF announced that it has chosen BTC Europe GmbH to be the new distributor for aromatic isocyanates and polyols for polyurethane applications in Europe. The collaboration will start on 1 February 2021 and comprises the polyurethane basic products Lupranat, Lupranol and Lupraphen.

Natuzzi S.p.A. and The Vita Group announced that they have entered into an agreement whereby Vita Italy S.r.l., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Vita Group, will acquire I.M.P.E. S.p.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of Natuzzi based in Naples, Italy.

The Dow Chemical Company announced that effective from 1 February 2021, or as contracts allow, it will increase its off-list prices by the amounts listed below on all grades and package types of the following polyol products in North America:

Covestro has received ISCC Plus mass balance certification for its Antwerp, Belgium, and Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany, sites. This means the company can now offer its customers large product volumes of polycarbonate made from renewable attributed raw materials in the same good quality as fossil-based polycarbonate. The polyurethane raw material methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) from Krefeld-Uerdingen and its precursor aniline from the Antwerp plant are now also available with ISCC Plus certification.

The VersaFlex Family of Companies (VersaFlex) announced it has reached a definitive agreement to be acquired by PPG. VersaFlex is a manufacturer specializing in polyurea, epoxy, polyurethanes, custom plural component equipment, and geotechnical and insulation foams. Lazard Middle Market served as exclusive financial advisor to VersaFlex. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

BASF announced that the implementation of the methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) capacity increase programme for production facilities at its Verbund site in Geismar, LA, USA, is progressing on schedule. Over time, the company targets to double the capacity from 300,000 t/y to approximately 600,000 t/y. BASF said with this stepwise capacity addition, it will support the ongoing growth of its North American MDI customers.

For the second year running, Evonik Comfort & Insulation's foam chemist Jane Kniss has received the prestigious Dr. Herman Stone Technical Excellence Award during the Polyurethane Foam Association’s (PFA) annual Fall Meeting. Held online for the first time, November’s meeting still included a full technical programme and was attended by more than 100 executives from foam manufacturers, chemical suppliers, and other companies supporting the industry.

Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd. is inviting to Chinaplas 2021, Asia’s No. 1 plastics and rubber trade fair, to be held 13 – 16 April 2021 at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center in Shenzhen, China. According to the organisers, in today’s unprecedented turbulent times, the global manufacturing industry is undergoing profound and complex changes, facing uncertainties and challenges, while opening up new opportunities under the new normal. Chinaplas 2021, themed “New Era – New Potential – Innovation for Sustainability”, will not only stimulate development in the industries, but also keep the momentum going in the exploration of business opportunities in the new era, said Adsale.