Plant Expansions

Dutch technology firm Avantium has decided to locate the new demonstration plant for its Mekong technology in Chemie Park Delfzijl, the Netherlands. The construction of the demonstration plant – with a capacity of around 10 tonnes of plant-based monoethylene glycol (MEG) – is on track, with the opening scheduled for…

In what is said to be one of the largest deals in the chemical industry, the world’s largest oil/petrochemical firm Saudi Aramco is to acquire a 70% stake in Saudi Basic Industries Corp (Sabic) for US$69.1 billion, from its owner, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia. The remaining…

German materials manufacturer Covestro and biotechnology company Genomatica have joined forces to research and develop high-performance materials based on renewable feedstocks. With their collaboration, both partners say they are aiming to reduce the use of fossil-based resources such as crude oil. These are today still the most common carbon and…

French chemical firm Arkema has started up a Kepstan PEKK (Poly-Ether-Ketone-Ketone) plant at its site near Mobile (Alabama, US). It says this investment is a new step in its ambitious growth strategy in high-performance polymers and advanced materials. This investment, which complements the doubling of Kepstan PEKK resin capacities in…

Japan’s Toyo Ink SC Holdings Co., Ltd., the parent company of the Toyo Ink Group of Japan, has opened a new sales subsidiary in Casablanca, Morocco, in preparation for a full-scale business launch into the African continent. Eyeing the future economic progress of Africa, the company says it will set…

US firm Lubrizol Engineered Polymers has added another new TPU line in its Songjiang (Shanghai) China plant going into production soon, the second expansion in a year aimed at continuous growth in Asia. The firm says the expansion of the Songjiang plant follows the launch last year of a new…

From September 9 to 11, 2020, the first ever Formnext + PM South China trade show for the additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy industries will take place in Shenzhen, China. Prompted by the rapid development of both sectors in China, the trade show offers suppliers and users comprehensive business opportunities in advanced…

US technology firm Lord Corporation plans to expand operations at its Hückelhoven, Germany facility, with an investment of EUR14 million. This expansion project will position it to provide optimal support to the fast-growing electric vehicle (EV) market, especially in Germany and all over Europe, says the firm. Around 70 employees…

Automotive components manufacturer Hella has opened its second electronics plant in India, in response to the growing market in the country. The 5,000 sq m-production facility in Mehsana, India, north of the city of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat, will initially focus on sensor solutions for accelerator pedal sensors…

German chemical firm BASF has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with automotive parts manufacturer Chongqing BOAO Industrial Co., Ltd. to collaborate on the development of polyurethane (PU) system products in China. Under the terms of the cooperation, BASF will provide materials and technical knowledge, while Boao will focus on applications…