Speciality chemicals producer Songwon has started production of its Songnox multifunctional phenolic antioxidant at its Panoli plant in Gujarat, India. The Panoli site was acquired from Sequent in 2014. In the last three years, the company has invested in the Panoli site to develop it into a hub for specialty chemicals, including Songnox.

From September 1, 2015, Bayer Material Science will be known as Covestro. Now the Supervisory Board of Bayer Material Science – in future: Covestro – has named the members of the future Board of Management. Known managers will be in on it, like newcomers. Their aim: Stock market launch of the new independent company by midyear 2016.

Arkema plans to increase its capacity of polyamide 12 polymers by 25 %. The product, commercialized under the trademark Rilsamid, is used for processes such as extrusion, injection, and blow-moulding.

The move has been undertaken to provide the company’s Indian customers with a wider portfolio of locally produced materials.

In order to meet rising hygiene standards as well as retain the freshness of food products for a longer period, the food packaging sector is always on the look-out for new packaging materials and technologies. Today, multi-layer films are preferred over single-layer packaging due to several factors. Read on to know more…

High-Performance FFKM Sealing Technology for Pharmaceutical, Food and Beverage Industries —Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Food and Beverage industry processes can be mighty tough on seals. Their rough conditions and exacting regulations keep scientists on their toes looking for solutions to meet even more difficult demands. Perfluoroelastomers, also known as FFKMs, are establishing themselves as very useful materials in these fields.

Solvay has appointed Rodrigo Elizondo as President of Special Chem Global Business Unit, and Michael Finelli as President of the GBU Speciality Polymers.

A snapshot of the emerging trends in the global chemical industry – With multiple emerging regions now steering the course of the global chemicals industry, their internal dynamics will likely determine how the industry shapes up in the near future.

After bringing on–stream a polyamide 6 plant in Hangzhou, PR China, engineering company Uhde Inventa-Fischer provides the design of a polyester plant in the Ivanovo region, Russia.

Songwon has completed the acquisition of Sequent’s Specialty Chemicals business, including the polymer stabilizer business, the production site in Panoli and the local R&D division. Now, the Koreans have set their sights n the Indian markets.