Kraton announced on 19 February 2019 that it has initiated a process to review strategic alternatives for its Cariflex isoprene rubber (IR) business, which may result in a sale of that business.

On 17 January 2019, Evonik announced that it has acquired Structured Polymers Inc., a technology startup for 3D printing materials headquartered in Austin, TX, USA. A corresponding agreement and plan of merger was executed and the transaction has been closed recently.

The US TPE compounder Star Thermoplastic Alloys & Rubbers has introduced new StarSoft cushioning gel materials. They are well suited for uses in sports equipment, gel bike seats and shoe inserts. The company also recommends them for use with medical models and adult novelties that require lifelike anatomical simulation. The materials in Shore hardnesses of 00 or 000 are supplied in pelletised form, slabs or slurry.

The Italian company API has introduced the new recyclable Apilon 52 A/C TPU series at Simac Tanning Tech 2019 (hall 14, stand B45), which is being held from 20 – 22 February 2019 in Milan, Italy.

Materialise, through a partnership with RSPrint, has entered into an agreement with HP to scale an end-to-end 3D solution to design and manufacture fully customised 3D-printed insoles. FitStation powered by HP will integrate the Materialise software for 3D design automation, print preparation and production management.

The global market for thermoplastic elastomers is estimated to have grown at a compound average rate (CAGR) of 5.45 % in 2012 – 2017, even though it is an increasingly mature market. It is also expected to grow at about the same rate for 2017 – 2022, with a CAGR of 5.58 %. The Asia-Pacific region occupied an estimated 49.7 % in 2017, and will likely grow to a market share of 53.1 %, by 2022.

Colorite, a Tekni-Plex business, has expanded its portfolio by adding twelve grades to its previously available 28 Cellene TPE formulations for healthcare and a wide variety of other applications. Cellene TPE compounds are available in four series:

BASF announced that it will present new material developments together with Ultrasim computer simulation, targeted specifically at manufacturing optimised shanks for shoes, at Simac 2019. The international machinery and technology exhibition for shoes will take place from 20 – 22 February 2019 in Milan, Italy.

Magnus Berglund has been promoted to Senior Vice President VP Strategy, M&A and member of Group Management as of 1 February 2019. The company said that the change is a further step in its focus on acquisitions and to enhance strategic growth in attractive segments.

LCY Chemical Corp. and investment firm KKR have announced the completion of the previously announced share exchange and purchase transaction under which the KKR-led consortium has acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of LCY. As a result of the completion of the share exchange and purchase, LCY has become a private company and was delisted from the Taiwan Stock Exchange.