US-based materials firm Kraton says it has made a significant investment in its Alpha Methyl Styrene (AMS) resins facility in Niort, France. The company, which specialises in sustainable production of specialty polymers and high-value bio-based products derived from pine wood…
Category: Feature
Synthomer completes Eastman adhesives acquisition; to form new division
UK firm Synthomer says it has completed the US$1 billion acquisition of US materials firm Eastman’s Adhesive Resins business. The acquired business will form a new division within Synthomer called Adhesive Technologies. It will have a leading position in the…
New technology enables detection of micro/nanoplastics from road wear of tyres
Swedish scientists at the University of Gothenburg have developed a technology to detect small tyre wear particles that previously were too tiny to be noticed. A new study shows that a form of optical tweezers can be used to detect…
Sensata/NIRA develop tyre tread depth monitor solution
Sensata Technologies is in a new collaboration with NIRA Dynamics AB to deliver an accurate and robust tyre Tread Depth Monitoring (TDM) ‘virtual sensor’ system for automotive OEMs that optimises tyre health and improves vehicle safety, efficiency and uptime. The…
Azelis acquires UK rubber additives distributor
Azelis, a provider of specialty chemicals and food ingredients, has acquired 100% of the shares of Whitfield Chemical Group, the ultimate parent company of WhitChem, a distributor focused on CASE (coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers) and R&PA (rubber & plastic…
Top Glove profit plunges 53% in 2nd quarter
The world’s largest glove manufacturer, Malaysia-based Top Glove Corp Bhd’s net profit for the second quarter ended Feb 28, 2022 dropped by almost 53% to RM87 million from RM185 million in the previous quarter, while its revenue declined by 8%…
Cabot completes acquisition of Tokai carbon black plant in China
Carbon black supplier Cabot Corporation says that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Tokai Carbon (Tianjin) Co., Ltd from Tokai Carbon Group. The acquisition expands Cabot’s manufacturing capacity to support the growth of its battery materials product line,…
Orion opens first European line in 40 years in Italy
US carbon black supplier Orion Engineered Carbons has commissioned the first new reactor for carbon black production in the European Union in over 40 years at its plant in Italy, and this week will begin commercial sales with the line. The new…
Nynas halts purchase of feedstock from Russia
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and its tragic consequences throughout the region have prompted chemical firm Nynas to reconsider its supplies from Russia and also sales to the country. Sales to customers in Russia and Belarus were stopped last week until further…
Elkem receives financial support from France for silicones production
Norwegian silicones maker Elkem has emerged as one of the winners of the “Resilience” scheme of the “France Relance” plan by the French government, providing financial support as the company accelerates its investments in specialty silicones production in Saint-Fons in…