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.

Irina Zschaler has taken over responsibility as Chairman of the Board of the Georg Nordmann Holding AG (GNH). Since January 2019, she has been managing the GNH and its affiliated companies, Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH and Rowa Group Holding GmbH, in an operative matrix structure together with her colleague on the board, Marco Bröning. Whereas Marco Bröning is in charge of the Finance and Controlling portfolios, Irina Zschaler continues to be responsible for the Sales and Marketing portfolios.

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.

At MD&M West Conference and Exposition, held from 5 – 7 February 2019 in Anaheim, CA, USA, Covestro presented its portfolio of thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), TPU films, polyurethane-based adhesives and foams, and polycarbonate resins, blends and films, designed for the healthcare industry.

At two major recent trade fairs for the medical industry - MD&M West in Anaheim, CA, USA, and Pharmapack EU in Paris; Trinseo highlighted its portfolio of thermoplastic elastomers for medical devices.

Huntsman’s Polyurethanes division has commercially registered the new legal entity Huntsman (Chile) SpA, based in Santiago de Chile. Huntsman now has South American polyurethanes operations in Cartagena and Bogota, Colombia, in Santiago, Chile, in São Paulo and Taboão da Serra, Brazil, and in Buenos Aires, Argentina. With the recent acquisition of Demilec Inc., the company now has a total of 17 polyurethanes locations in the Americas region.  

Huntsman has announced new strategic machinery purchases ahead of SIMAC 2019. The company revealed that it has completed a series of equipment investments to boost the research and development services it offers to footwear producers and their manufacturing partners, worldwide.