Foam Expo Europe, trade fair and conference for the supply chain of technical foam production, and Composites Europe, European trade fair and forum for composites, technology and applications, will take place in parallel in Stuttgart, Germany, from 2019. This was announced by the two organisers, Smarter Shows and Reed Exhibitions.

The International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP) has published the 2018 edition of its Worldwide Rubber Statistics, which it describes as the "world's leading source for authoritative data about synthetic rubber."

BASF and Sinopec have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which includes, among other things, plans for a joint pre-feasibility study on a second ethylene cracker in Nanjing, China. According to the MoU, the parties' existing BASF-YPC joint venture will invest in a 50 % stake to build the steam cracker, which will have a capacity of 1 million t/y of ethylene.

The government is being urged to add rubber prices to the national agenda, requiring immediate attention, as the country has lost several billions of THB from the rubber price slump.

Sun European Partners announced that one of its affiliates has signed a definitive agreement to sell Elix Polymers to Sinochem International for an enterprise value of USD 195 million.

Wanhua Chemical Group has selected technology from LyondellBasell for a new high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plant and polypropylene (PP) unit in Yantai City, Shandong Province, China.

The Munich-based German chemical company Wacker Chemie AG is currently expanding its Aceo 3D printing services for silicone rubber and announced the opening of a US-based printing lab by year end 2018.

After rice and vegetable price issues have been settled, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will be focusing on uplifting the livelihood of thousands of rubber farmers. In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the DA would provide various livelihood and loan programs for Filipino rubber farmers as part of government interventions in the sector that has been hit by very low market prices.

Datwyler has opened a health care plant with First Line standard in Middletown, DE, USA. The First Line standard is an advanced manufacturing concept for high-quality elastomer components with state-of-the-art clean room technology, automatic production cells, fully automatic camera inspection and a unique washing process. The manufacturing concept exceeds the highest quality standards of the European and American regulatory authorities and is certified according to ISO 15378.

Hexpol has acquired 80 % of the shares in Italian compounder Mesgo from the existing main owner Francesco Caldara and co-owners. Pursuant to the agreement, Hexpol has an option to acquire remaining shares, and the Caldara family has an option to sell their remaining shares to the Swedish group.