At Gummiwerk Kraiburg, Dr. Frieder Vielsack has taken over as head of the Research and Development department effective September 1, 2021. In his new position, he is responsible for leading the department with a focus on further expanding Gummiwerk Kraiburg's strength in developing customer-specific material solutions and innovative products for new fields of application.

Rubber Division, ACS annually honors outstanding elastomer experts with the prestigious Science & Technology Awards. Among these awards is the Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award.

The 27th Fakuma international trade fair for plastics processing celebrated an inspiring restart in Friedrichshafen from 12-16 October 2021. Organiser Schall welcomed in total 1470 exhibitors from 39 countries. (2018: 1933). Overall emphasis was placed on the topics of sustainability, circular economy and recycling. 

Sergej Lazovic has been appointed as Managing Director of Biesterfeld Spezialchemie GmbH alongside Peter Wilkes with effect from 1 October 2021. Together, the two Managing Directors will be responsible for the ongoing strategic development of the Biesterfeld subsidiary's global business.

Repsol announced that it will invest EUR 657 million in the expansion of its Sines Industrial Complex, located on the Portuguese coast. On 13 October 2021, Repsol Chairman Antonio Brufau and CEO Josu Jon Imaz attended the signing ceremony of the investment contract with the Portuguese government, presided over by Prime Minister António Costa, and also attended by the Minister of State, Economy, and Digital Transition, Pedro Siza Vieira.

Husky Injection Molding Systems, Ltd. is showcasing its latest hot runner and controller technology innovations, as well as its medical manufacturing solutions, at Fakuma 2021. During the return to in-person trade fairs, Husky is exhibiting on two stands that will offer a variety of interactive experiences, including:

Synthos announced that it will construct a new butadiene extraction unit with associated logistic infrastructure in Plock, Poland. Air Liquide Engineering and Construction licenses the BASF NMP Butadiene Extraction technology and has been awarded with the overall engineering, procurement and construction services and supplies for the project. The commissioning of the butadiene extraction unit and first production are scheduled for 2024. The unit will have a butadiene capacity of 120,000 t/y.

Evonik announced that it has recently extended its distribution agreement with Brenntag for its Dynasylan product line to 16 countries in Eastern Europe. Effective immediately, Brenntag will additionally distribute the silane products in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Leoni has officially opened its fourth plant in Serbia, in the city of Kraljevo. The company said it has so far invested over EUR 50 million in building and equipment for its new production facility.

LG Chem said Monday (11 October 2021) that it will build two technical service centers ― one in the United States and one in Europe ― as part of efforts to better serve its customers and partner companies worldwide. The two service centers, costing KRW 120 billion (USD 100 million) combined, will be responsible for offering solutions on product development, quality improvement and other technical issues concerning petrochemical products made by LG Chem. The construction of the two facilities will be completed, and they will be fully operational, by 2023.