The new polyethylene unit (PE3) is expected to produce 270,000 tonnes of modern high-density polyethene granulate per year. The PE3 facility has been awarded the highest investment ever in the history of Czech Republic’s chemical industry.

The Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites forecasts a global production capacity of 4,3 million tons of bioplasics in 2022 — a real growth market. A US bioplastic resin provider wants to be part of this success story and invested in a tailor made production plant. For the challenging handling and processing of the natural raw materials they found in Azo the right partner.

With this mega investment, Sumitomo Chemical intends to make use of synthetic biology to develop innovative and high functional products and processes which are difficult to manufacture through chemical synthesis. The investment will also enable the firm to strengthen its business alliance with Conagen.

The aim of the ‘Macbeth’ project is to develop a new process for catalytic synthesis with appropriate separation equipment in a single, highly efficient catalytic membrane reactor. The project brings together 24 partners with expertise in the field. The EU has offered around 18 million dollars for this project.

The American Chemistry Council’s Chemical Activity Barometer fell 2.6 per cent in March on a three-month moving average basis following a downwardly revised 0.1 per cent gain in February, states ACC.

Even though the corona virus has turned private and professional life upside down, many things are now running smoothly again despite home offices, video conferences and trade fair cancellations. How does the Process Analytics business unit of Hamilton Bonaduz AG deal with travel restrictions and where are the challenges in approaching new customers? Frank Wolpers, Global Sales Director Process Analytics, focuses on webinars and the new corona vaccines.

Styrenics Circular Solutions (SCS) was established with an aim to increase the circularity of styrenic polymers. Greiner Packaging, one of the leading European plastic packaging manufacturers has recently joined SCS and will now work together to achieve the unique circularity capacity of polystyrene.

The new joint venture company will be established by a joint incorporation-type company split between Mitsubishi Chemical and Ube Industries for succeeding the electrolyte business for lithium-ion rechargeable battery and other applications of both companies.

Sumitomo Chemical is constructing a new plant in Japan which will produce 1,3-diisopropanolbenzene and supply it to Nouryon as it’s a vital raw material for the production of the company’s Perkadox 14 organic peroxide.

As announced by organizer Mack Brooks Exhibitions, Chemspec Europe will be postponed due to the Corona Pandemic. The 35th edition of the trade fair for fine and specialty chemicals, which was planned for May 27 and 28, 2020 in Cologne, is now scheduled to take place on November 11 and 12, 2020.