Smithers is currently recruiting for professionals at the forefront of the elastomers industry to present at the renowned Silicone Elastomers and Thermoplastic Elastomers World Summit this November/December in Europe. (Exact date and location to be confirmed). The deadline for the submission of papers has been extended. So there is still time to submit an abstract.

The Institute for Plastics Processing (Institut für Kunststoffverarbeitung – IKV) invites to the 2nd International Symposium on Plastics Technology on 14 and 15 March 2022 in Aachen, Germany. In 2020, the scientific committee of the Symposium received contributions from 14 nations, which dealt with innovative topics in plastics technology and ensured a wide-ranging programme. Now the Call for Papers is open again and contributions are being sought for next year's Symposium.

Olin Corporation announced that it has entered into an agreement with Ashta Chemicals, Inc. to purchase and sell the chlorine produced at Ashta's headquarters and production facilities in Ashtabula, OH, USA. Olin said existing contracts will be honoured for chlorine customers of both companies. Olin is a global manufacturer and distributor of chemical products and a leading U.S. manufacturer of ammunition.

Nouryon announced the completion of the spin-out of its base chemicals business, Nobian, into a separate company remaining under the ownership of Nouryon’s equity owners, The Carlyle Group and GIC.

LG Chem Ltd. has entered mass production of polyolefin at its new naphtha cracking center in Korea with the largest capacity in Asia.

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions is expanding its online store to include Seals-Shop Marine (www.seals-shop.com/eu/en/marine-shop), which now bundles seals and bearings for the marine industry and for use on and in the water. This will also make products from the Orkot materials portfolio directly accessible online, said the company.

GPD Companies affiliate Distrupol, a European distributor of thermoplastics and elastomers, has acquired Lautrup Chemicals for an undisclosed amount.

Clariant and India Glycols Limited (IGL), a producer of green technology-based chemicals, announced the successful creation of their 51 % – 49 % joint venture for renewable ethylene oxide (EO) derivatives after receiving all necessary regulatory approvals. The joint venture will operate under the name Clariant IGL Specialty Chemicals Private Limited.

Orion Engineered Carbons announced the commercial launch of ECORAX Nature, a new family of products developed using carbon black made from renewable feedstocks.

Dow has announced a series of incremental, high-return capacity expansions to support growing demand across key end-markets on 1 July 2021. In Dow’s Consumer Solutions business, several key growth projects are planned to come online globally throughout 2021 and will increase capacity of silicones as well as cationic hydroxyethylcellulose polymers and polyethylene glycols.