The Indian plastics industry is at par with its global counterparts. It has been growing at an increased pace despite challenging economic conditions. Subhash K Kadakia, president of Plastindia Foundation and Managing Director of Kadakia Plastics & Chemicals, talks about the industry and how it can boost the growth of other sectors in the country. Here are a few excerpts from an interview with PROCESS India.

Akzo Nobel Specialty Chemicals announced the introduction of the first-ever emulsion-based organic peroxides in the US for the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

BASF Mexicana has completed the previously announced sale of a portion of its oleochemical surfactants business in Mexico to Stepan CDMX.

Mexichem acquires Vestolit, one of the leading producers of PVC-Specialties in Europe, based in Marl, Germany, from investment company Strategic Value Partners (SVP) for € 219 million. Market insiders had already expected SVP to divest the PVC specialist.

Kuwait’s National Petroleum Company (KNPC) plans to construct a 615,000 barrels-per-day worldscale refinery near Kuwait City. American plant project specialist Fluor was already assigned with two EPC contracts or the site.

Badger’s proprietary technologies – EB Max and styrene will be used in Hengli’s 720 KTA grassroots ethylbenzene / styrene monomer plant. The scope of work includes technology license, process design and start-up services.

Linde officially has opened its new Pilot Reformer research facility at Pullach near Munich, Linde’s largest location worldwide. The reformer will be used to refine steam reforming technology for the production of synthesis gas — a mixture consisting of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The carbon feedstock for synthesis gas can be in the form of natural gas, liquid petroleum gas, naphtha or even carbon dioxide.

For BASF Nigeria is a particularly dynamic growing market for construction chemicals in West Africa. The new production plant for concrete additives in Lagos/Nigeria will help the construction industry to become less dependent on imports and reduce long lead times for supplies. Besides Nigeria BASF concentrates on neighboring west African countries, too.

The company intends to evaluate its Composites segment, BDO manufacturing facility in Germany along with related merchant Intermediates and Solvents (I&S) products in order to eliminate stranded costs from potential sale of these assets.

This year's Specialty Chemicals' Imagine Chemistry challenge conducted by Akzo Nobel has generated 150 innovative ideas submitted by chemistry startups, scale-ups, scientists and university teams. The company will now select 20 finalists to attend a three-day event in June at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden.