Lubrizol announces the addition of a new, toluene-free Pearlbond TPU grade for adhesive powders, films and webs. Pearlbond 1170L complements the Pearlbond 1160 and 1160 L series. These resins are already widely used in demanding end-uses such as fire hoses, thermobonding films for use in footwear, furniture, apparel, sealing tapes and automotive interior trim. This series offers benefits such as short cycle time, good wetting properties and waterproof performance. In addition, it is the ideal resin for film and sheet conversion applications thanks to its gel-free properties and high melt strength.

Audia Elastomers is offering an extensive range of material solutions for the production of durable pet toys (e.g., dog chew toys and treats), including elastomers that deliver durability, tear strength, high clarity, and adhesion. The company provides customised material solutions such as styrenic block copolymers (SBC), thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), copolyesters, and thermoplastic vulcanisates (TPV) that allow brand owners to position their products at various retail price points from high-end, boutique products to mass market, big box store materials.

The NRC Group announced that it is now operating under the uniform brand name Nordmann. According to the company, this step is part of a holistic strategy that the distributor of chemical and natural raw materials as well as speciality chemicals has taken up in response to changes in the global market.

Acmos, Inc. announced that it has opened an office in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. The company is a global manufacturer of release agents and related process chemicals for the polyurethane, rubber, composites, wood, foundry, glass, thermoplastics, and metalworking industries.

Kraton Corporation announced that it has approved the construction of a semi works latex unit in Paulinia, Brazil, which is scheduled to be complete by Q1 2020 and ready for commissioning during Q2 2020. Details on the investment volume and capacity of the facility were not disclosed.

SPE – Inspiring Plastics Professionals (Society of Plastics Engineers) announced that its Antec 2021 programme will take place from 22 – 26 March 2021 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown in Denver, CO, USA. Antec 2020 was previously announced for 30 March – 2 April 2020 at the Marriott River Center in San Antonio, TX, USA.

Celanese has announced the expansion of its Pibiflex and Riteflex TPC production unit at the Donegani facility in Ferrara, Italy. The company said that this measure will support the continued growth of its global engineered materials business.

At the MECSPE trade fair (28-30 March 2019, Parma, Italy) Arburg will focus on automation, additive manufacturing and digitalisation. A complex turnkey system built around a hydraulic Allrounder 370 S and a Freeformer 200-3X for industrial additive manufacturing will be on display at the Arburg stand. Both machines are networked "live" with the company’s ALS host computer system.

Geely Design, CEVT and TactoTek jointly announced that they have initiated projects to develop smart surfaces for multiple automotive brands owned by CEVT’s parent company, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. The current interiors project is the first of several anticipated by the framework agreement between the companies.

Royal DSM and Roquette Frères, the parent companies of Reverdia – a joint venture for the production bio-succinic acid under the trademark Biosuccinium, have announced a strategic shift in the continuing operations of their JV. Effective from 1 April 2019, the joint venture will be dissolved and the partners will transfer the rights and obligations related to Reverdia’s plant in Cassano, Italy, to Roquette.