BASF opened a new, world-scale chemical catalysts manufacturing plant in Caojing, Shanghai, China. The new plant is the company's first chemical catalysts manufacturing facility in the Asia Pacific region.

Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions’ subsidiary Uhde Inventa-Fischer has been awarded a contract to build two new world-scale polymer plants for Sasa Polyester Sanayi in Adana, Turkey.

Seals specialist Freudenberg uses Lanxess' bio-based Keltan Eco EPDM rubber to produce rubber seals in North America. Keltan Eco EPDM ( ethylene-propylene-diene monomer) rubber contains up to 70 percent of ethylene obtained from sugarcane, and has an impressive set of properties that is in no way inferior to that of “conventional” EPDM.

Wacker Chemie has opened a technical center for construction, textile and consumer-care applications in Istanbul. The technical facility serves as an application and test laboratory for polymeric binders and silicones.

Dow has introduced a new polypropylene catalyst: according to company speakers the Consista C601 is the world's first Ziegler Natta catalyst.

Speciality chemicals company addivant completes the first phase of a capacity expansion at its Gulf Stabilizers Industries (GSI), a joint venture in Al Jubaïl, Saudi Arabia. Upon completion, GSI's production capacity of hindered phenolic antioxidants will double to 10,500 tons.

Clariant launched its new dedicated 3D Printing business to meet the demand of the Additive Manufacturing market for premium and customized 3D printer filaments.

Total has inaugurated the new units at its Antwerp integrated refining & petrochemicals platform, which have progressively started up in the last few months. This event marks the completion of the upgrade program launched in 2013 of one of the largest and most efficient integrated refining & petrochemicals platforms in Europe.

In 2010 the annual emission of mercury into the atmosphere amounted to around 1,960 t, with the sources being mainly anthropogenic in origin. Despite efforts to reduce the emissions further large quantities of mercury have found their way into the food chain. The analytical investigation of the heavy metal with a robust digestion has thus gained increased importance.

Wacker Chemie will expand its production capacities for silicone and polymer products in China and continue to reinforce its research and development capability in order to further strengthen its market position in the region, the Munich-based chemical company announced.