Plant Expansions

Dutch specialty polymers supplier DSM has launched a new production line for Arnitel thermoplastic copolyesters (TPCs) in Emmen, the Netherlands. The capacity will be expanded by 20%. The new production line will allow DSM to meet the growing demand for its TPCs. These materials are known for their combination of…

Japanese maker of rubber and plastics automotive parts Toyoda Gosei Co. has invested1 in QBIT Robotics Corporation (Tokyo, Japan), a provider of robotics services, to accelerate development of a practical robot hand with tactile sense using e-Rubber sensors. The investment amount is 120 million yen, which will give Toyoda Gosei…

German materials supplier BASF and automotive parts manufacturer Liyang Shanhu Industry Auto Trim Material Co., have entered into a strategic cooperation agreement to develop lightweight and low-emission polyurethane (PU) system product applications. “There is an increasing demand in China for composite products that make automotive parts lighter for fuel efficiency,…

With the global thermoplastics polyurethane (TPU) market expected to grow at 6% between 2017 and 2022, and the majority of such growth to come from the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, German materials supplier Covestro has completed a capacity expansion for TPU at its Changhua manufacturing site in Taiwan by 30%.…

Nouryon has completed a EUR20 million project at Sundsvall, Sweden, that significantly raises production capacity for its Expancel expandable microspheres. These are used to enhance the properties of products ranging from shoe soles and food packaging to wind turbines. “Expancel demand is growing fast as we develop new applications to…

Dutch chemical firm LyondellBasell says it has ended discussions with Odebrecht S.A. concerning the potential acquisition of Brazilian petrochemical firm Braskem. Odebrecht S.A. is the controlling shareholder of São Paulo-based Braskem. “The combination of LyondellBasell and Braskem is compelling because of the companies’ complementary strengths, product portfolios and operational footprints.…

Dutch firm Polyscope Polymers has completed the business integration of the global styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymers business from Cray Valley, Cray Valley HSC Asia Ltd, Cray Valley (Guangzhou) Chemical Co. Ltd. and Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA, Inc. Cray Valley is a global market leader for low molecular weight…

UK engineering compounds manufacturer Sumika Polymer Compounds Europe is to acquire Turkish plastics group Emas. Part of the deal are three compounding sites with what Sumika says are extensive compounding expertise. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Sumika is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical Group, with Itochu Corp. and…

German additives maker Baerlocher says it is continuing to invest significantly in its Malaysian subsidiary. The company expanded its Seremban site with an additional production line for metal stearates, a new warehouse and an office facility. With this investment of more than US$10 million, Baerlocher says it is preparing for…

UK chemical firm Inoes has signed an agreement with Saudi Aramco and France’s Total to build three new plants in the Middle East, as part of the Jubail 2 complex in Saudi Arabia. The three world-scale plants will produce the key building blocks for carbon fibre, engineering polymers and synthetic…