LANXESS is progressing according to plan with the construction of its world-scale EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) plant in Changzhou (Jiangsu Province), China. The German specialty chemicals company is investing EUR 235 million in the plant - the largest investment the company has made in China to date. Some 45 percent of the investment total will be spent by the end of 2013.

Neste has collaborated with Ravago in order to develop chemical recycling of plastic waste on an industrial scale. With this move, the companies aim to accelerate circularity of materials and improve resource-efficiency in the petrochemical industry.

Randy G. Woelfel will replace David Lumpkins who will be resigning from the board this month. Previously, Woelfel was the chief executive officer and director at Nova Chemicals Corporation.

Lanxess sells its 74 % stake in a chrome ore mine in Rustenburg, South Africa, to Clover Alloys, a South African supplier of chrome fine ores.

Located in Miami, Florida, Van Iperen’s new operations are expected to provide superior-quality specialty fertilisers and global crop experience to its US and Latin American customers. The move will strengthen the company’s presence in the country and also support its customers in the region.

Solvay received the Chemical Safety Award from the European Responsible Care Awards jury for its worldwide Product Stewardship Management System.

In Europe, Trinseo aims to offer 30 % recycled content for polystyrene packaging by 2025. To achieve this objective, the company intends to set up a huge facility for large-scale polystyrene recycling.

TLT-Turbo has launched a new range of mechanical vapour recompression fans, with ceramic hybrid bearings that provide an exceptionally long operational lifespan. Integrating the latest ventilation technologies, this fan offers numerous advantages regarding performance efficiency, minimal maintenance and high reliability.

Petrofac has secured numerous new contracts as well as contract extensions under its Engineering and Production Services (EPS) division. The division has won its maiden EPC contract in Malaysia for a new boiler unit at one of Malaysia’s largest fertiliser plants.

Technip FMC has signed the technology agreement with Meghmani Finechem which aims to produce epichlorohydrin from renewable feedstock at its plant in India. With this move, the Indian firm will become the first to manufacture epichlorohydrin in the Asian country.