Monthly Archives: October 2018

10.31.18
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Stora Enso acquires Swedish cellulose technology firm


Stora Enso Oyj has acquired full ownership in Cellutech AB, a Sweden-based company. Cellutech specialises in the development of new materials and applications based on cellulose, micro-fibrillated cellulose (MFC) and other wood-based components. The acquisition of Cellutech supports Stora Enso’s vision of replacing fossil-based materials with renewable ones originating from wood. The acquired company works, among others, in the areas of foams for packaging and hydroponics where the markets are continuously growing. Cellulosic foams can, for example, be used in packaging to replace polystyrenes which are the most widely used plastics. Read More

Solvay SA said that it will increase its fluoroelastomer (FKM) production to meet the strong demand for high-performance sealing applications. Production of specific FKM peroxide curable and bisphenolic terpolymer grades will be increased at Solvay’s sites in Changshu and Spinetta Marengo, Italy. The combined production capacity – at current product mix – will be expanded by 30 per cent by Q4 2019 to sustain the increasing needs of the company’s Tecnoflon FKM customers and end users. Solvay’s Tecnoflon family of fluoroelastomers and perfluoroelastomers is recognised for its unmatched operational temperature range, chemical resistance and reliable performance in the most demanding of environments where high purity and long service life are essential. Read More

CPS Performance Materials (CPS) has acquired FAR Chemical (FAR) from Edgewater Capital Partners (Edgewater).   FAR is an industry leader in the development and production of specialty organic chemicals for customers in industries including pharmaceuticals, composites, coatings, electronics, flavors, fragrances, and personal care. “FAR’s specialized chemistry capabilities in bromination, organometallics, and cryogenic reactions combined with safe and effective management of hard to handle materials are a nice complement to CPS.  The combination of FAR with CPS’s specialty chemical and cGMP manufacturing capability will enable us to broaden our offerings to pharmaceutical, advanced composites, CASE and personal care customers,” said Jeremy Steinfink, President and CEO of CPS. Read More

Nippon Shokubai Indonesia, a subsidiary of Nippon Shokubai Co Ltd plans to build a new acrylic acid (AA) plant with 100,000 metric tons per year. With an investment of approx. $200 million, the plant is scheduled to be completed in 2021. With this new plant, the company’s global acrylic acid production capacity will be 980,000 metric tons per year. Acrylic acid shows steady growth of demand as a key material of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and acrylate (AES) etc. To accommodate the demand the company has studied further expansion of AA. Read More

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10.30.18
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P2 Science starts commercial production of renewable C9 aldehyde


P2 Science Inc, a bio-renewable chemistry company has produced the first ever commercial quantities of BioNonanal, at its new plant in Naugatuck. BioNonanal is a 100 percent renewable, vegetable-based linear C9 aldehyde, commonly used in fragrances to impart waxy, citrus and floral notes to consumer products in both household and personal care markets. To date, nonanal has been mainly produced from a petrochemical, Octene. The only option for a renewable nonanal has been via a costly extraction process from certain essential oils such as orange oil. The resulting cost of such a natural extract nonanal made it impractical to use in most fragrance applications. Read More

Using a simple mesh screen may allow farmers to dramatically reduce the amount of pesticides they spray. When spraying paint or coatings onto a surface, or fertilizers or pesticides onto crops, the size of the droplets makes a big difference. Bigger drops will drift less in the wind, allowing them to strike their intended targets more accurately, but smaller droplets are more likely to stick when they land instead of bouncing off. Now, a team of MIT researchers has found a way to balance those properties and get the best of both-sprays that don’t drift too far but provide tiny droplets to stick to the surface. The team accomplished this in a surprisingly simple way, by placing a fine mesh in between the spray and the intended target to break up droplets into ones that are only one-thousandth as big. Read More

TUV SUD has inaugurated its new Non-destructive testing (NDT) and Destructive testing (DT) laboratory in Noida. The fully equipped state-of-the-art laboratory can help businesses prevent incidents that are hazardous to human life and environment. The laboratory is fortified with world-class facilities to deliver reliable and accurate results that enable businesses to safeguard their operations and products. TUV SUD will cater to conventional and advance NDT needs with state-of-the-art equipment and technical specialists conducting tests to ensure the sudden downtime and shutdown of the manufacturing plants and projects is reduced. Read More

LyondellBasell said that its CEO Bob Patel has been appointed president of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA). Patel will lead the board of the organization for a two-year term beginning on January 1, 2019. The ICCA is recognized as a key stakeholder in various settings, including the United Nations, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Energy Agency. Patel continues to serve as chairman of the ACC and on the boards of the Greater Houston Partnership and Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas. “It’s a tremendous honour to help lead our industry as we work towards creating a more sustainable future. Read More

 

10.29.18
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Kraiburg presents new TPE for soft-touch surfaces


Kraiburg TPE presented a new thermoplastic elastomers series specially developed for decorated surfaces that appeal to the touch and for functional parts inside motor vehicles’ cabins. Design flexibility, cost-effective processability, and flawless surface quality are a must when it comes to the properties of high-performance materials for high-quality automotive interior parts. The specific compounds also comply with all of the industry’s strict regulations that stipulate the long-term behaviour of applications in this sophisticated environment. Read More

Unilever and Veolia have signed a collaboration agreement to jointly work on emerging technologies that will help create a circular economy on plastics across various geographies, starting in India and Indonesia. In reaching this important agreement, Unilever and Veolia acknowledge that the issue of plastic waste is a shared responsibility that requires bold action across the value chain to develop and scale up collection and reprocessing infrastructure, which is critical in the transition towards a circular economy. The work will focus on material collection, which will help channel recycled content back into the value chain. Read More

Metrohm Process Analytics presents the new 2029 Process Photometer, an integrated solution for 24/7 online analysis of critical chemical parameters in industrial processes and wastewater streams. This single-method system performs photometric absorption measurements in the visible light range and is available in several application-specific configurations for monitoring up to 2 process streams. The process photometer is especially suitable for monitoring chemical analytes including phosphate, copper, chromium, ammonia and much more. Read More

Vertellus has appointed former president of PolyOne’s global colour and additives business as its next CEO. Effective immediately, John Van Hulle brings to Vertellus more than three decades of leadership experience in the speciality chemical and plastics industries serving business sectors. “Vertellus has a robust portfolio of existing technologies as well as a pipeline of promising innovations that position the company to drive value for our customers and stakeholders. I am honoured and delighted to be part of a team committed to using Vertellus’ technologies and expertise to deliver value to customers around the globe,” said Van Hulle. Read More

10.25.18
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Can India replicate Middle East’s desalination success story


As concerns over air-pollution loom large ahead of Diwali, scientists at Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have formulated eco-friendly crackers, which would not only cause reduced emissions, but would help people get a reprieve from noise pollution during festivities. “Green crackers are basically reduced emission crackers wherein we reduce some harmful components, like barium, aluminium and chromium which are conventionally used to get different colours. So, the strategy is to reduce or replace these components with less toxic chemicals which can bring down emissions to significant levels,” said Director Dr Rakesh Kumar, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI). Read More 

Water is an essential ingredient in across industries, not just in the products but also in the preparation for cleaning the products, processing and other uses. While 71 percent of the earth’s surface is covered with water, only a tiny amount (0.6 percent) is fit for consumption. The supply of clean and fresh water is fast decreasing. In contrast, the demand for consumption of water is fast increasing due to a growing global population, agricultural activities and economic development. Pressures from both, the supply and demand sides means that clean water is increasingly becoming hard to source. While the future outlook for India’s capability to meet the growing demand seems to be grim, India can perhaps turn to their neighbours in the middle east to replicate their desalination model. Read More

Roald Hoffmann – co-developer of Woodward–Hoffmann rule

Biography & contributions: Roald Hoffmann the organic chemist, was born on July 18,1937. Hoffmann was the Nobel laureate at the time of 1981 for the work quantum mechanics. Hoffmann applied the theories of quantum mechanics from the filed of physics to explain chemical reactions and chemical compounds.He investigated both organic and inorganic substances. Hoffmann was introduced the principle called isolobal principle. Hoffmann in the years of 1955 and 1956 studied the chemistry of cement and hydrocarbons. Hoffmann along with other Nobel laureate Woodward used quantum mechanics to develop rules that would enable scientists to predict whether a particular compbinations of chemicals will reult in a reaction. Read More

Biesterfeld Plastic has extended its mutual distribution agreement with Solvay. Biesterfeld will distribute Solvay’s sulfone polymers, in Switzerland beginning in January 2019. The product portfolio includes the Udel PSU, Radel PPSU and Veradel PESU brands. These products have been selling by Biesterfeld in many areas of Europe since 1998.  Udel PSU (polysulfone) is a tough, rigid, high-strength, transparent plastic that offers higher heat resistance and better hydrolytic stability than polycarbonate (PC). It retains its good mechanical properties when exposed to steam and other sterilization techniques. Read More

 

10.24.18
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Reliance, BP to jointly set up 2,000 petrol pumps in India


Reliance, BP to jointly set up 2,000 petrol pumps in India

BP Plc and Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) are planning to jointly set up as many as 2,000 petrol pumps in India over the next three years, according to two people aware of the development. The exact arrangement of the venture is being worked out and would be decided in a few months, a Reliance executive, one of the two people cited above, said on condition of anonymity. While Reliance already independently runs 1,343 petrol pumps, BP received a licence to set up 3,500 fuel retail outlets in India in October 2016. India is one of the few major global markets where fuel demand is growing and has attracted attention from foreign fuel retailers seeking to gain a toehold in a country where fuel retailing is dominated by state-run companies. Read More

Brenntag Specialties Inc, part of Brenntag Group has collaborated with Kaneka Corporation for the distribution of the Kaneka Surfactin line in US. The Kaneka Surfactin line reduces the use of other surfactants and acts as an inhibitor for acne bacterial growth. In addition, this line is suitable for sensitive skin and is compatible with various alcohols and cationic ingredients. The line includes: 1. Kaneka Surfactin – 100 percent natural, easily biodegradable, and highly sustainable product 2. Kaneka Premixed SQ401 – a pre-blend gel used for gelling oil and emulsification 3.Kaneka Premixed TC301 – a pre-blend gel used for gelling oil and emulsification. Read More

Arsenal acquires speciality polymers firm Polytek

Arsenal Capital Partners has acquired Polytek Development Corp, from Morgenthaler Private Equity. Headquartered in Easton, US, Polytek is a leading manufacturer of liquid mould rubbers and casting plastics. Polytek’s proprietary speciality polymers are used by customers to create flexible moulds to reproduce highly-detailed, complex objects for a variety of industrial and consumer applications, including concrete casting, special effects, tooling, sculpture, and prototyping. Arsenal brings significant experience investing in the global polymers market, having previously built Accella Performance Materials, a polyurethanes systems company.Read More

Kraton Corporation has declared a force majeure on certain products as a direct result of the effects of Hurricane Michael on its Florida facility. These products include terpene and terpene-related products, North America rosin esters dispersions and North America distilled tall oils. The company is continuing to assess Hurricane Michael’s impact on its ability to manufacture and deliver products but at this point in time the Panama City, Florida facility is not operational. It is taking all reasonable and diligent measures to mitigate the impact of this hurricane on its operations and on its customers, consistent with Kraton’s commitment to safety. Read More

10.17.18
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New catalyst opens door to CO2 capture in coal-to-liquid process


New catalyst opens door to CO2 capture in the coal-to-liquid process

Researchers from the National Institute of Clean-and-Low-Carbon Energy in Beijing and Eindhoven University of Technology have developed iron-based catalysts that substantially reduce operating costs and open the door to capturing the large amounts of CO2 that are generated by CTL. Their results are published in the journal Science Advances. To understand the significance of this achievement, some knowledge of the CTL process is required. The first stage is the conversion of coal to syngas, a mixture of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2). Read More

Daikin Industries and Hitachi Ltd will start a joint demonstration to digitalize quality control know-how in reaction process of fluorochemicals at Daikin’s Yodogawa Plant. Both companies will introduce a system that generates alarms for workers to ensure appropriate quality control instantaneously. Hitachi’s image analysis technology of “Lumada” enables to visualize variety of status in reaction processes such as liquid foaming status and color change, all of which were previously checked visually by workers at certain designated points. This digitalization technology extracts the operating status data instantaneously and consecutively which leads to maintaining quality control and improving efficiency in the future. Read More

Dow Chemical Company said that Kalyani Martinelango, Business Analytical Leader has been named recipient of the SASE – Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers Employee Resource Group (ERG’s) Leadership award. The award recognizes Kalyani’s role in growing the impact and influence of the Asian Diversity Network across the company. Founded in 2007, SASE is dedicated to the advancement of Asian heritage scientists and engineers in education and employment so that they can achieve their full career potential. In addition, to professional development, SASE encourages members to contribute to the enhancement of the communities in which they live. Read More

AkzoNobel has launched Camouflage finishes – a durable coil coating product named Flexikote SP600 in India. Flexikote is suitable for use in the interior as well as exterior building products market. AkzoNobel is the first company to introduce this offering in the Indian coil coatings market. Based on the super durable polyester (SDP) technology, the uniqueness of Camouflage finish is the gravure coat and clear coat applied as wet on wet system. It is designed to offer good exterior durability, flexibility and hardness to ensure long term functional protection. Read More

 

10.16.18
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Total opens $50 mn lubricants oil blending plant in Russia


Total SA has inaugurated its new state-of-the-art lubricants oil blending plant, in Kaluga, Russian Federation. The blending and production plant will allow Total to localize the production of its top-tier lubricants for the Russian market. With an investment equivalent to $50 million, this facility has been designed to produce initially 40,000 tons of automotive and industrial lubricants per year, with a scale-up option to bring this capacity up to 70,000 tons per year. The plant is equipped with a fully automated blending system and ultramodern filling lines. Covering an area of 7 hectares of the Vorsino industrial park in the Kaluga Region, this facility opens less than two years after the start of construction. Read More

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract from Sirius Minerals PLC for its new materials handling facility (MHF). Located in Teesside, England, the MHF is being constructed as part of the company’s North Yorkshire Polyhalite Project, which will supply a unique type of potash fertilizer. Jacobs is designing the MHF to handle seven million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of granulated product in its first phase of development, with expansion considerations being developed into the design to support up to 20 MTPA of the granulated product. In addition, the facility will also handle three MTPA of coarse product. Read More

KBR Inc’s UK subsidiary has been awarded a front-end engineering design (FEED) contract by BP Plc. The contract is for Phase 1 of the Tortue field Hub/Terminal development located on the maritime border between Senegal and Mauritania. The agreement contains a mechanism to allow transition of the contract to an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract at a later date. KBR will provide management of the Quarters and Utilities (QU) including Telecoms Systems FEED and provision of supplemental services (system engineering, interface oversight, technology planning, support and verification) of the Hub/Terminal for the Tortue project in Senegal and Mauritania. Read More

Clariant has appointed Hans Bohnen, currently head of global business services as the new member of executive committee. Bohnen has been with the company for almost 10 years. Simultaneously, Britta Fuenfstueck, member of executive committee has decided to leave Clariant as of 31 October 2018 to become CEO of the Hartmann Group. Effective 12 October, Bohnen will be installed as a member of Clariant’s executive committee. He will assume responsibility for the business area plastics & coatings, global business services, group information technology, Digital4Clariant, and the regions Latin America and North America. Read More

10.15.18
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George Wald – discoverer of function of vit-A role in retina


George Wald – discoverer of function of vit-A role in retina

Biography & contributions: George Wald was an American scientist and Nobel laureate born in New York City on November 18, 1906 – died on April 12, 1997. He shared the 1967 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Haldan Keffer Hartline and Ragnar Granit. Wald was also the winner of Eli Lilly Award for Fundamental Research in Biochemistry from the American Chemical Society in the year of 1939, Proctor Medal of the Association for Research in Ophthalmology in the year of 1939, Rumford Medal by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in the year of 1959. In 1966 he was awarded the Ives Medal of the Optical Society of America. Read More

Novozymes has launched its next yeast technology, Innova Lift, for the starch-based ethanol industry. Innova Lift expresses a glucoamylase that is two times more effective at converting difficult-to-reach starch. When paired with advanced enzyme solutions, Lift also has the potential to significantly increase ethanol yields, reduce fermentation risks and eliminate costly inputs, while improving performance reliability. Novozymes’ new yeast platform, Innova, has been founded on new S. cerevisiae yeast – utilizing proprietary methods to enhance its ability to withstand the rigors of today’s ethanol production processes and goals. Read More

Covestro said that it is developing and marketing new polyether carbonate polyols, under the name cardyon. These polyols are produced with the aid of carbon dioxide (CO2). With Desmopan 37385A the company now offers the first representative of a new series of thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) containing polyether carbonate polyols based on CO2 technology.  Compared to conventional TPU materials, the new TPU products leave a lower carbon footprint and help close the carbon cycle. They also conserve fossil resources and, unlike many bio-based materials, do not compete with food production.  Desmopan 37385A has a hardness of 85 Shore A. Its mechanical properties are at least at the level of conventional TPU grades of similar hardness, and even exceed some of them. Read More

Perstorp said that it will expand the production capacity of its non-phthalate polyester plasticizer Pevalen from 2019 onwards. To achieve this the company has entered into a long-term production agreement with Italian company Alcoplast Srl. The new partnership more than doubles the current production capacity, bringing it in total to 50.000 tons per year and improving unit metrics due to the economies of scale. Pevalen (pentaerythritol tetravalerate or PETV) is Perstorp’s high-performance, true non-phthalate plasticizer. It is the perfect choice for sensitive applications and products in direct human contact, e.g. toys and childcare products, apparel and accessories, sports & leisure products, automotive interiors or other indoor applications such as furniture, floors or wall coverings in both homes and public spaces. Read More

 

10.11.18
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Ascend sees constrained PA66 availability in short term


The US nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 (Polyamide 66-PA66) markets continue to face pressure despite decreasing feedstock costs amid severely constrained global supplies and strong demand. In this market scenario, “PA66 availability will continue to be constrained for the short term,” said Phil McDivitt, President and CEO of Ascend Performance Materials, in a statement. “We are committed to meeting the long-term needs of our customers and maintaining reliable operations,” he added. Due to conflicting reports on long-term PA66 availability, the company believed it necessary to restate its plans to meet the increased market demand, it stated. Read More

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd (AXTA) has appointed Robert Bryant, Axalta’s executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO), to the additional role of interim chief executive officer (CEO), effective immediately. Bryant succeeds Terrence Hahn, who has resigned by mutual agreement with the board, following an investigation by outside counsel into conduct by Hahn unrelated to financial matters that Axalta believes was inconsistent with company policies. Hahn has also vacated his position on the board. “We are pleased that Robert Bryant has agreed to step into the role of interim CEO. Having worked closely with Robert for over five years, I know he has the leadership skills and financial acumen, as well as the respect of the management team and employees, to be an effective leader for Axalta. Read More

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc (IFF) has opened two new facilities in China. A flavours manufacturing facility in the Zhangjiagang Free Trade Zone and a Natural Product Research lab, located in the Nanjing Life Science Park. The flavours plant is the company’s second in China and is designed to supplement IFF’s existing flavours and manufacturing operations in Guangzhou. The Naturals Lab is the company’s first outside of the US. The Zhangjiagang site spans 66,800 sqm, encompassing the main manufacturing building that is fitted with a strong odour control system, quality control labs and an ambient warehouse for goods. Read More

Covestro has approved an investment of around €1.5 billion to build a new world-scale methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) plant in Baytown, Texas. This investment at the existing site in Baytown is the largest single investment in the history of the company. Total capacity of the new train will be 500 kilotons MDI per year, start of production is expected in 2024. At the same time an older, less efficient MDI unit of 90 kilotons production capacity will be closed. Thus, total MDI capacities of Covestro in the NAFTA region will reach around 740 kilotons per year making Covestro the industry capacity leader in the region by 2024. Read More

10.10.18
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Transparent, thermally stable polyamide-100 percent biobased


The natural substance 3-carene is a component of turpentine oil, a waste stream of the production of cellulose from wood. Up to now, this by-product has been incinerated for the most part. Fraunhofer researchers are using new catalytic processes to convert 3-carene into building blocks for biobased plastics. The new polyamides are not only transparent, but also have a high thermal stability. Plastics are a useful alternative to glass or metal for a wide range of applications. Polyamides play an important role in the manufacture of high-quality structural components, as they are not only impact- and abrasion resistant, but also resistant to many chemicals and solvents. Read More

Israel Chemicals Ltd (ICL), a developer of fertilizers and other chemical products, is in talks to buy Haifa Chemicals Ltd, a supplier of specialty fertilizers, for more than a $1 billion in cash and stock, according to a person familiar with the matter. Tel Aviv-based ICL, which focuses primarily on agriculture, food and engineered materials, has long been seen as a logical buyer for Haifa, according to industry observers. The two firms have a history of potential merger discussions and have major assets located close to each other in Israel.The Israeli deal could result in synergies approaching $100 million a year, the person familiar with the matter said. Read More

BP Plc, National Oil Corporation (NOC) and Eni have signed an agreement expected to lead to Eni and BP working together to resume exploration activities on a major exploration and production contract in Libya. A letter of intent (LOI) was signed by Mustafa Sanalla, chairman of National Oil Corporation, BP group CEO Bob Dudley and Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi. The parties agreed to work towards Eni acquiring a 42.5 percent interest in the BP-operated exploration and production sharing agreement (EPSA) in Libya. On completion, Eni would also become operator of the EPSA. Read More

The former AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals is being relaunched as Nouryon. The move follows the recent acquisition of the business by The Carlyle Group and marks the company’s transition to becoming an independent, global specialty chemicals leader. Nouryon has a history that stretches back nearly 400 years and its new name and brand identity reflect that heritage. Noury & Van der Lande was one of the first companies to realize the important role chemistry could play in everyday life; today, Nouryon is a world leader in essential chemistries used to manufacture everyday products. Read More