South America has overcome the crisis quickly. Now especially Brazil, the new Latin American powerhouse, aims for a place among the world's leading economies... More in the second part of our market report series "Chemical Industry of the Americas".

Italvacuum is one of Europe’s best-known manufacturers of vacuum dryers and vacuum pumps for pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, chemicals and cosmetics. This article discusses the company’s Multispray cabinet dryer, the Tumble rotary cylindrical vacuum dryer and the Saurus939 range of vacuum pumps.

North America was especially affected by the economy crisis of 2008. Now, four years after, the US chemical industry is cautiously optimistic as shale gas and specialities fuel the growth. Also Mexico has reasons to expect further development, while Canada fears the 2010 boom could soon be over.

Akzo Nobel Specialty Chemicals has broken ground on a project to expand production capacity and upgrade its organic peroxides facility in Mahad, India.

With the increasing demand for fiber-reinforced resins, the company plans to introduce its new product Mostron-L and is in the process of expanding its production.

Korean Honam Petrochemical plans the construction of a million–tons–per–year petrochemical production in Idonesia. A memorandum of understanding with a local steel firm for the acquisition of needed building area is already underway, insiders say.

The production capacities of bio-based polymers continue to grow at around 3 to 4 % per annum, i.e. at about the same rate as petrochemical polymers. Therefore, the market share of bio-based polymers in the total polymer market remains constant at around 2 %. But the individual development of different bio-based polymers varies considerably.

Dow and DuPont get serious about their proposed merger: This US $ 130 union of giants would create the world’s largest chemicals company, even dwarfing the likes of BASF. But the coming bememoth could lead a short life: The partners plan to split up the Dow-DuPont-portfolio into three independent companies...

Through the collaboration, both the firms will explore ways to upgrade and commercialise its non-prime product generated at its joint venture company Borouge. It will also look at potential collaboration opportunities to boost Ravago’s business.

Scheduled to be held from June 26-28, in Dusseldorf, Germany, the show will focus on the sustainability challenge and also conduct various sessions on managing increased demand and environmental regulations.