A new research by the Duke and Kent State universities provides surprising results: Although hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") consumes less water than conventional gas wells, the waste water can still overstress local disposal and cleaning systems...

Both the Chinese chemical companies Sinochem and Chemchina are planning a fusion. With an annual turnover of around 100 billion Dollars, the recently emerged chemical giant would supersede the present industry leader BASF.

Batteries are the key technology for the electromobility of the future. Over the next five years, BASF will be investing a three-digit million euro sum in researching, developing and the production of battery materials. Part of the investment is being channeled into the construction of a production plant for advanced cathode materials.

The scarcity of crude oil and a growing consciousness for the problems associated with plastic waste from packaging material make lead to a growing interest in degradable bioplastics. A new market study by Frost & Sullivan sees great chances for bioplastics as cost effective mass products.

BASF and Petronas expand their integrated complex in Kuantan/Malaysia and build a new world-scale production plant for 2-Ethylhexanoic Acid (2-EHAcid).

Yara International and BASF Group have agreed to build a world scale ammonia plant at BASF’s site in Freeport, Texas. The plant will use hydrogen as raw material, reducing capital expenditures (capex), maintenance and carbon dioxide emissions significantly.

On May 27, 2011 BASF and Ineos signed a joint venture contract, which regulates the formation of the planned joint venture company Styrolution. The EU Commission has approved the formation subject to the requirement that the parties sell an ABS production site in Tarragona, Spain.

Keeping in view the recent unique and peculiar situation arising out of environmental considerations in the Punjab area in particular, a slew of bioethanol refineries; as many as twelve have been planned and the general contract has been awarded to Praj who has expertise in this field of bioethanol refineries with a global footprint.

BASF and Sinopec will expand the capacity of existing propionic acid production with an additional 30,000 metric tons annually at their state-of-the-art Verbund site in Nanjing.

Bio based chemicals and fuels will be not an option, but an necessity: With growing demand and dwindling feedstock, innovations in biochemicals are required if more bio-based products are to replace petroleum-based ones, says a new report by analyst company Lux Research.