SPE – Inspiring Plastics Professionals (Society of Plastics Engineers) announced that its Antec 2021 programme will take place from 22 – 26 March 2021 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown in Denver, CO, USA. Antec 2020 was previously announced for 30 March – 2 April 2020 at the Marriott River Center in San Antonio, TX, USA.

Sika has agreed to acquire Belineco LLC, a Belorussian manufacturer of polyurethane foam systems. According to Sika, with the acquisition the company will further expand its know-how in the production and development of polyurethane foams. Together, the two companies will gain better access to the trade distribution channels in Eastern Europe. Financial details were not disclosed. The acquired business generates annual sales of CHF 23 million (~ EUR 20.3 million). The transaction is subject to approval by anti-trust authorities.

The Chinese injection moulding machinery company Guangdong Yizumi Precision Machinery Co., Ltd. and the German Frimo Group GmbH have formed a partnership to combine injection moulding and polyurethane processing technology to establish an all-in-one solution for customers.

Geely Design, CEVT and TactoTek jointly announced that they have initiated projects to develop smart surfaces for multiple automotive brands owned by CEVT’s parent company, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. The current interiors project is the first of several anticipated by the framework agreement between the companies.

Royal DSM and Roquette Frères, the parent companies of Reverdia – a joint venture for the production bio-succinic acid under the trademark Biosuccinium, have announced a strategic shift in the continuing operations of their JV. Effective from 1 April 2019, the joint venture will be dissolved and the partners will transfer the rights and obligations related to Reverdia’s plant in Cassano, Italy, to Roquette.

Nouryon (formerly AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals) announced that it has selected a location in the USA for a world-scale polymerisation plant for its Expancel expandable microspheres. Advanced engineering is under way and long delivery item procurement has started. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2020, subject to final board approval, said Nouryon.

FRX Polymers Inc., a supplier of polymeric halogen-free flame retardant solutions, has been named to the “2019 Global Cleantech 100 List”, which recognizes the world’s leaders in sustainable innovation. The company, which earned the distinction for the sixth time in the last ten years, was recognized for its successful commercial work for its Nofia flame retardant products. Cleantech Group released the tenth Global Cleantech 100 report on 28 January 2019 at its annual Cleantech Forum in San Francisco, CA, USA.

On 5 March 2019, FXI and Innocor, two leading producers of polyurethane foam products, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement. According to the two partners, the combined company will offer a complete array of solutions and serve customers across a broad range of end markets, including bedding, furniture, transportation, medical, filtration, acoustics, and industrial. Financial terms were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close during H2 2019 and is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

Lubrizol announced that its LifeSciences business has expanded its global development and manufacturing facilities, and the latest investment is a new medical device applications lab in Brecksville, OH, USA. This lab features applications testing, small-scale compounding as well as injection moulding for long-term implantables. The 1,800-square foot facility will also focus on accelerated R&D, from polymers to device scale up and testing in a short period of time, said the company.