Chemical industry witnessing exceptional resurgence
The 2008 economic crisis had dreadfully hit North America. However, the region, especially the US is currently on the way to recover, rapidly and cautiously. The $1 trillion chemicals market in North America was no exception to the economic downfall but is now witnessing impressive growth, as shale gas and speciality chemicals are predominantly attracting significant revenues to the chemicals market. The US currently represents more than 75 percent of the total North American chemical industry. Read More
Wacker opens new training centre for silicone applications
MUNICH, GERMANY/ TSUKUBA, JAPAN: Wacker Chemie AG has opened a new Wacker Academy training centre in Tsukuba, Japan. The centre mainly offers seminars on silicone products for the automotive, electronics, sealant and personal care sectors. At Tsukuba, Wacker manufactures silicone products through its joint venture, Wacker Asahikasei Silicone (AWS). It also operates a silicone-coatings competence centre there. With the addition of the Wacker Academy, the site now combines under one roof not only production. Read More
Weicon develops all-round adhesive for plastics
MUNSTER, GERMANY: Weicon GmbH & Co KG, a manufacturer of adhesives and sealants from Germany has developed a new adhesive that is especially suitable for bonding different types of plastic – Weicon Easy-Mix RK-7300. It is a fast curing, solvent free structure and construction adhesive based on methyl methacrylate (MMA). The adhesive has a high-strength and a high viscosity. It is impact resistant and withstands both static and dynamic loads. Special fillers (glass beads), which have been added to the product, ensure a consistent bonding line of approx. 0.25 millimetres. Read More
Clariant presents next generation stabiliser for automotive interiors
MUTTENZ, SWITZERLAND: Clariant has introduced a new heat and light shield for automotive interiors- AddWorks ATR 146. This is now setting a new benchmark, aiming to create longer-lasting aesthetics and a healthier environment inside future vehicles due to reduced volatile organic compounds (VOC). Soon commercially available, AddWorks ATR 146 is a new low dosage, a sulfur-free stabiliser for filled polypropylene (TPO) compounds used in interior applications. It offers the automotive industry unmatched high performance. Read More
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND: The Chemours Company introduces its Teflon Profile nonstick coating for cookware. Teflon Profile is based on a new technology that combines the proven, excellent non-stick properties of Teflon nonstick coating with long-term scratch resistance resulting in a coating surface that looks newer longer. This is a desirable feature for cooks, whether they are ambitious hobby cooks or professional users, as they need to worry less about using metal utensils and what the resulting scratches do to the surface. 
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS: AkzoNobel’s vehicle refinishes business has launched a new mobile app for colour matching. Body shops, technicians and painters across the globe can now get instant access to the latest colour formulas with this app. Designed to enhance mobility at work, it’s now available for download in the App store and Google Play store – continuing the company’s long tradition of developing the industry’s leading digital colour techniques and technologies. 
PITTSBURGH, US: Water is the source of all life. When it comes to wastewater the subject of this year’s United Nations World Water Day on March 22 – the goal, therefore, is: to avoid and recycle instead of conventional disposal. Lanxess is leading the way in this field starting with its own production facilities. For example, the volume of process wastewater produced relative to product output has fallen by six percent group-wide in the last five years. The “blue gold” is becoming ever more precious. 
PHILADELPHIA, US: Axalta Coating Systems has introduced a new premium quality polyurethane product, FlexBase 7700 PB. This is designed to meet the custom colour and impact-resistant requirements of the sports equipment market in North America. The FlexBase 7700 PB product line targets helmets and other protective equipment used in athletic events such as baseball, lacrosse, football, softball, hockey, racing, and other extreme sports. It features a premium quality polyurethane basecoat. 
BRENTWOOD, US: Banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the 1980s but to lauded by some alternative medicine practitioners as a treatment for cancer, the controversy over vitamin B17 rages on. Vitamin B17, also called amygdalin or laetrile, is a glycoside nutrient linked with cancer prevention in alternative medicine practices — and there are anecdotal claims that it’s actually cured cancer. It is derived from natural food sources and most abundant in seeds of plants of the prunasin family. 
TORRINGTON, US: Dymax Corporation, an American chemical and engineering company introduces Multi-Cure 9452-FC, a new conformal coating formulated with a revolutionary new technology as an alternative to thin, solvent-based conformal coatings. With a viscosity of only 20 cP, this unique 100 percent solids material provides a thin coating that is more environmentally friendly than solvent-based alternatives. The new multi -cure, light and heat-curable film coating provide good electrical insulation properties. 
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS: AkzoNobel’s Imagine Chemistry initiative has resulted in more than 200 innovative ideas being submitted by chemistry start-ups, scientists, research groups and students around the world. Open innovation initiative will lead to new commercial opportunities for chemicals business Developed in conjunction with KPMG, Imagine Chemistry was launched to help solve real-life chemistry-related challenges such as finding ways to revolutionise plastics recycling as well as uncovering. 
DUSSELDORF, GERMANY: Slides made from body wash bottles, adhesives packaging turned into watering cans – surprising? Well, it’s happening. Together with the recycling company TerraCycle, Henkel’s business units’ adhesive technologies and beauty care are breaking innovative ground and breathing new life into its packaging. In fall 2001, student Tom Szaky, 19 years old, visited some of his friends in Montreal, Canada. He was on vacation in his first term at Princeton University, there he watched how his friends. 
In an interview, Alok Gautam, Country Logistics and Supply Chain Leader, Dow Chemical International Pvt Ltd (Dow India) with Chemical Today magazine opines that the need of the hour for chemical companies is to identify the right balance between responsiveness and efficiency in supply chain operations. He delves into the various sustainable measures that can be taken to make chemical logistics a safer journey. The Indian chemical industry has witnessed significant changes post-liberalization. 
DARMSTADT, GERMANY: Merck said that it will be showcase innovative effect pigments and drug variants, including concepts and initiatives for their effective use in cosmetics and care products. Merck Pigment has a new look and exceptional haptic or optical performance under the Smart Effects innovation program. As the newcomer from the Ronastar Allure- series and Ronastar Flaming Lights. After Ronastar Red Allure for matte burgundy complete more Ronastar Allure products this pure mineral series. 
REINACH, SWITZERLAND: Archroma has officially inaugurated its new global centre of excellence for surface & coating technology in Bradford, UK. The centre highlights the company’s aim to bring new, innovative solutions to the packaging and speciality paper markets. The brand-new centre is based at the location of Archroma’s application laboratory team for deposit control. It hosts the global product manager for surface & coating and a team of application experts, all with close links to Archroma’s research. 
Liquid laundry detergent is easy to apply and produces less wastage when used, on account of which it is gaining acceptance and is substituting soaps and detergent powders in the market. Increasing disposable income of consumers in emerging markets has spurred demand for liquid laundry detergent, according to a report by Grand View Research Inc. Liquid laundry detergent is produced using several ingredients such as soap, zeolites (water softeners), complexation agents (builders), bleach, and other enzymes. 
In an interview, Andrew Fordyce, Executive Vice President, Food & Beverages, Novozymes A/S with Chemical Today magazine talks at length about the ways in which enzymes can make food and beverages healthier, tastier and nutritious. Food & beverage enzymes are the largest categories in the enzyme world – yet only a small fraction of the food ingredients and processing aids market. It is a global industry with many applications – beverages, baking, starch, oils & fats, and food & nutrition. 
In an interview, R Kumaresan, Head, Business Unit, Industrial and Consumer Specialties, India, Clariant with Chemical Today magazine opens up about the shift in consumer preferences towards natural and organic cosmetics, which has made the consumer based surfactants industry rethink about its chemical compositions. Increasing significance of youthful appearance. Skin intolerance and allergies occurring more often Growing concern about harmful effect of artificial substances. 
In an interview, Sanjay Bahadur, Chief Executive Officer, Pidilite Industries Ltd with Chemical Today magazine delves into the reasons how waterproofing chemicals are one of the most important segments in construction activities. Yet in India, this market is in a premature state due to the use of traditional methods of construction. He also talks about how Pidilite is working towards raising the awareness in the Indian construction business on carrying out effective waterproofing. 
A solvent can be any substance, that turns into a solution by dissolving a solid, liquid, or gaseous solute. The solvent is usually a liquid, but can also be a solid or gas. In our daily life, we will find the best example of solvent, that is none other than water. Solvent’s common uses ranges from dry cleaning agents, paint thinners, nail polish removers, glues, spot removers, detergents and in personal care products like perfumes, Solvents find various applications in chemical, pharmaceutical, oil, and gas industries. 
Holi, the most colourful festival of India, bids farewell to winter and announces the arrival of spring. It is celebrated as the festival of colours by applying different colours on family and friends. In ancient times, people used to prepare natural colours for a safe celebration. Nowadays, due to the change in lifestyle, people have started using artificial colours. These artificial colours contain oxidized metals or industrial dyes that are toxic and cause harm to the body. The colour silver is carcinogenic containing aluminium bromide. 
Our skin has been bearing the dangerously damaging effect under the shroud of pollution, stress and unhealthy eating. This has led to a major shift in the way cosmetics is being perceived wherein the focus is shifting from powdered and dolled up faces to nourishing and rejuvenating the skin from within with the power of superfoods. Today, everyone wants to be super fit, super healthy and super attractive. And to achieve this tag, the word ‘superfood’ has taken the imagination of health conscious generation. 
MUNICH, GERMANY: 
Having a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables does not ensure optimum health as the food we consume is laced with harmful chemicals. Phytonutrients are the next level of nutritional supplements which is set to complete the dietary charts. This generation, by large, is growing more health conscious as the awareness of healthy eating and healthy living is picking up pace. Vegan diet, superfoods etc. top the food chart nowadays. But have you wondered if we are really getting the maximum amount of plant nutrients from the fruits and vegetables. 
WOOSTER, US: Researchers at The Ohio State University (OSU) have discovered that food waste can partially replace the petroleum-based filler that has been used in manufacturing tires for more than a century. In tests, rubber made with the new fillers exceeds industrial standards for performance, which may ultimately open up new applications for rubber. As Katrina Cornish explained it, the technology has the potential to solve three problems: It makes the manufacture of rubber. 
BERKELEY, US: Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have nearly doubled the number of materials known to have a potential for use in solar fuels —in just two years. They did so by developing a process that promises to speed the discovery of a commercially viable generation of solar fuels that could replace coal, oil, and other fossil fuels. Solar fuels, a dream of clean-energy research. 
Paints and coatings are generally applied to provide protection and to impart decorative texture to the article being coated. They are available either in the form of liquid or aerosol or solid. In a case of liquid, they appear highly viscous and are applied using brushes, rollers or sprayers. The aerosol is a gaseous suspension in liquid or solid form, which is sprayed on the object being coated. Paints and coatings in the solid or powdered form are first applied to the article and then the article. 
DARMSTADT, GERMANY: Merck has launched a new laboratory water treatment system, Milli-Q IQ 7000. This innovation in water treatment is already the seventh generation of the Milli-Q product family. In addition, this launch marks the 50th anniversary of the availability of ultrapure water for scientists in laboratories worldwide. In order to ensure that Merck’s new water treatment systems meet the emerging needs of the customer, the company has also integrated its own engineering. 
PARIS, FRANCE: Nestle Waters has joined forces with Danone, a French multinational food-products corporation and Origin Materials, a US startup based in California to form the NaturALL Bottle Alliance. This alliance is to develop and launch a commercial scale polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle made from 100 percent sustainable and renewable resources. The project uses biomass feedstocks, such as previously used cardboard and sawdust, so it does not divert resources. 
Valmont Industries, a leading producer of centre pivot and linear irrigation systems for large-scale agriculture as well as infrastructure and industrial products, was moving into a brand-new facility in Brenham, Texas. This new facility would serve as a major regional hub for many of their coating services including hot dip galvanising, E-coat, anodising and powder coating. Just a few weeks before their new facility was due to open, the company was faced with environmental concerns over the potential. 
The wide range of colours available for automotive paint finishing provides vehicle owners with the personalization they want. In order to achieve this, flexible paint supply systems are needed in the paint shop. For the first time, Durr is set to equip an entire paint shop in the USA with an EcoSupply P special paint supply system. The piggable system’s low paint loss rate, low flushing agent consumption and rapid colour changing will ensure efficient processes in the paint shops. 
Most people are acquainted with the Statue of Liberty which really is a gift from the individuals of France to the individuals of the United States. The Statue of Liberty represents Libertas, the Roman goddess. She holds a torch above her head, and in her left arm possesses tablet inscribed “July 4, 1776”, the date of the American Declaration of Independence. A damaged chain also lies at Statue’s feet.Then after the statue became an icon symbol for freedom of the United States and was a welcoming. 
EVANSTON, US: Two Northwestern Engineering graduate students are drawing circles around the competition. Daniel Hickox-Young and Luke Prestowitz developed a novel “smart ink” pen, which propelled them to the KAUST DIY Electronics Innovation Challenge, an international contest to encourage creative and inexpensive electronics. Called the “PolySketch Pen,” the patent-pending tool culminated from a course project in MSE 337: Introduction to conducting polymers, developed by Jiaxing Huang. 
MUNICH, GERMANY: Wacker Chemie AG said that it will showcase an innovative binder for the impregnation of cement-bound substrates. Marketed as SILRES BS 6920, this low-viscosity binder based on the group’s alpha-silane technology can be processed into ready-to-use impregnating agents and thin coatings for concrete and flowing-screed floors. It provides flooring with excellent stain protection and has a color-intensifying effect. The dirt-repelling action of formulations. 
AARHUS, DENMARK: When standing in a crowd at a concert, clapping hands along with the music on stage, it may be that people with higher levels of oxytocin are better synchronised with the beat of the music than those with lower levels of oxytocin. A new study from Center for Music in the Brain (MIB) Aarhus University/The Royal Academy of Music, Denmark, shows that participants receiving oxytocin – a hormone known to promote social bonding – are more synchronised when finger-tapping. 
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: The banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill Kim Jong Nam, the North Korean ruler’s outcast half-brother who was attacked by two women who rubbed the substance on his face at the airport in Malaysia’s capital. VX is an extremely toxic organophosphate. A tasteless and odourless liquid with an amber-like colour, it severely disrupts the body’s nervous system and is used as a nerve agent in chemical warfare. VX is one of the world’s deadliest chemical weapons. 
TSUKUBA, JAPAN: Researchers in India and Japan have developed an improved method for using graphene-based transistors to detect disease-causing genes. Graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) can detect harmful genes through DNA hybridization, which occurs when a ‘probe DNA’ combines, or hybridises, with its complementary ‘target DNA.’ Electrical conduction changes in the transistor when hybridization occurs. Nobutaka Hanagata of Japan’s National Institute for Materials Science. 
Chemists discover new way to crack the stubborn carbon-hydrogen bond that could allow industry to make petroleum-derived commercial products easier, cheaper and cleaner. A new catalyst for breaking the tough molecular bond between carbon and hydrogen holds the promise of a cleaner, easier and cheaper way to derive products from petroleum, said a researcher at Southern Methodist University (SMU), Dallas. “Some of the most useful building blocks we have in the world. 
Emulsifiers are used widely in the food industry to stabilise foods containing an oil and a water phase. However, the use of many traditional emulsifiers is often fraught with difficulties: they are additional sources of cholesterol, heat and acid sensitive, potentially allergenic, and mostly of animal origin. Alphadextrin, on the other hand, is able to both stabilise and texturize oil-in-water emulsions. Plus, the ring-shaped dextrin is 100 percent vegetarian, non-allergenic, cholesterol-free and obtained completely. 
In an interview, Patrick Thomas, President, PlasticsEurope (European Association of Plastics Producers) and CEO of Covestro with Chemical Today magazine talks about the trends, challenges, and opportunities in European plastics industry. The European plastics industry provides direct employment to 1.5 million people in Europe, who work in about 60,000 companies, most of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In 2015, our region ranked second in world plastics production. 
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