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French chemical industry news
8 May 2026
Clariant Q1 2026: Resilient performance amid Middle East conflict
Q1 sales down 2% (CHF918m); EBITDA margin fell to 17.5% (-130bp). Free cash-flow conversion rose to 54%. CHF80m savings program on track; 2026 guidance unchanged amid conflict
7 May 2026
UPM, Michelman and BOBST launch EU‑compliant bio‑based paper packaging concepts
Two paper packaging concepts for EU SUPD: fiber papers with bio-based coatings giving moisture/mineral-oil and oxygen barriers, wide heat-seal window, recyclable/compostable, production-ready.
6 May 2026
Heidelberg Materials Q1 2026: solid start
Q1 revenue and RCO down; cost measures & Transformation Accelerator saved €405m; acquisitions in Australia and Turkey; new efficient kiln; dividend +9% and buyback continue; outlook confirmed.
5 May 2026
Heidelberg Materials commissions 1.25 Mt/yr Airvault kiln line to improve efficiency and reduce CO2
1.25 Mt/yr dry kiln replaces old lines; enables ~90% alternative fuels, reduces electricity ~10% and CO2 ~30%; €350M upgrade includes calcined-clay use and CCUS (1 Mt/yr).
4 May 2026
SPIE appoints Markus Holzke Group CEO and updates executive committee
Appointment effective after Apr 30, 2026 AGM. Rainer Hollang named CEO for Germany/Switzerland/Austria. Executive committee membership reorganized.
4 May 2026
DOMO Engineered Materials acquired by Lone Star Funds; TECHNYL® included
Fund affiliate buys engineered materials unit: three EU plants, global subsidiaries, IP/brand, sales, application center and masterbatch ops; Belle Étoile excluded; leadership continuity planned.
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1 May 2026
LyondellBasell sells select European polymers assets to AEQUITA
Sale of select European olefins and polyolefins sites in Berre, Münchsmünster, Carrington and Tarragona closes; APS stays in Tarragona. Divested unit renamed Velogy to sharpen portfolio and capital
30 April 2026
Lhyfe to supply green hydrogen to BMW Group’s Steyr R&D centre
Multi-year deal to supply green hydrogen to an Austrian R&D site for development and validation of third-gen fuel-cell systems; first Austrian deliveries via bulk transport; RFNBO-certified.
29 April 2026
ROSI raises €20m+ to scale PV recycling in Europe
€20M+ plus EU grants to fund industrial expansion: 10,000 t/yr solar-panel recycling plant in Spain, scalable automated line, new production director appointed, recycling partnership renewed
29 April 2026
AkzoNobel adds Iris CMX drone for precise aircraft coating inspections
Aerofleet adds a contact-sensor drone to pair with its visual-scan drone, capturing thickness, color and gloss. Dual-drone inspections take ~30 min, improving repaint timing and cutting costs.
29 April 2026
BASF Coatings switches European production to renewable electricity
Completed Europe-wide switch to renewable power, complementing low-CO2 supply in France. Measure cuts Scope-2 emissions, supports 40% per-ton CO2 reduction by 2030 and improves product footprints.
29 April 2026
TotalEnergies completes 50% acquisition of EPH flexible power portfolio in Europe
Creates TTEP: 14 GW flexible gas/biomass + BESS across Italy, UK, Ireland, Netherlands, France; ~30 TWh output in 2025; tolling contracts; 5 GW development pipeline.
28 April 2026
dsm-firmenich sells Action Pin to AP Marensin
Announced Apr 28, 2026: sale of Action Pin (Castets, France), 110 employees, ~€50M sales in 2025; transaction pending regulatory approvals; financial terms undisclosed.
24 April 2026
TotalEnergies greenlights Mirny 1 GW wind and 600 MWh BESS in Kazakhstan
FID taken and financing secured for Kazakhstan wind+BESS project; $1.2B investment (75% external). 25‑yr PPA; ~100 TWh over 25 yrs to power ~1M people. Partners: 60/20/20; Saft supplies BESS.
24 April 2026
EMA recommends Redemplo for adults with familial chylomicronaemia syndrome (FCS)
siRNA blocking APOC3 cut triglycerides 80% vs 17% in trial; lowered acute pancreatitis rates; given subcutaneously every 3 months; common AEs: hyperglycaemia, headache, nausea.
22 April 2026
Axens CAM factory wins Net Zero label and C3IV approval
MACARON CAM plant chosen among 150 major strategic projects; recognized as strategic for EU battery supply chains, will seek permits with public inquiry in summer 2026, FID mid‑2027, production 2030.
22 April 2026
Rompetrol Rafinare’s Vega Ploieşti starts 60%‑purity hexane production
Unit optimizations enable higher‑purity hexane suited for oil extraction, adhesives, paints and degreasing; ~150 t/day capacity, boosts extraction yields and shortens processing time.
22 April 2026
INEOS expands European polymer distribution with Omya and Snetor
New distributor deals broaden access to locally produced polyolefins, improve regional supply security and service for converters, supported by major low‑carbon production and site investments.
21 April 2026
Axens, IFPEN and JEPLAN validate industrial-scale textile-to-textile polyester recycling
Semi-industrial test processed tens of tons of post-consumer polyester textiles to produce BHET monomer, validating textile-to-textile chemical recycling and enabling circular polyester loops.
20 April 2026
PPG installs radiation-curing test line in Marly, France
New Marly R&D line tests IR, UV (LED, excimer, arc) and EB curing to replicate production, speed development, cut customer trials, and reduce energy use and VOCs.
20 April 2026
MAIRE raises €185m sustainability‑linked Schuldschein to refinance facilities
€185M sustainability‑linked Schuldschein, 3‑ and 5‑yr (margins 1.50%/1.70% over 6M Euribor). For early refinancing; upsize option to €300M. Linked to 2028 decarbonization targets.
14 April 2026
Petrobras to invest $450M in world's largest seabed seismic monitoring project
Permanent seabed seismic sensor network in Mero (Santos Basin) will map reservoir behavior to improve recovery and monitor FPSO production. 460 km cables in place; first data Q2 2026; AI used.
14 April 2026
RWE installs two substations for Nordseecluster A
Two offshore substations (~40×22 m; 1,800 & 2,500 t) were installed ~50 km north of Juist after transport from Saint‑Nazaire by heavy‑lift Gulliver. Nordseecluster A: 660 MW (2027); B: +900 MW (2029)
13 April 2026
Lucas Meyer Cosmetics by Clariant unveils AlgaSurge, Lysofix Liquid and LightYears at in-cosmetics 2026
Introduces a microalgae skin longevity active that boosts hydration, collagen and renewal, and reduces inflammation and spots. Emulsifier data: soothes, repairs barrier and improves hair combing.
13 April 2026
Johnson & Johnson reports positive 12‑month VARIPULSE results at EHRA 2026
12‑month post‑market study: 84.2% freedom from atrial arrhythmia (90.5% paroxysmal; 75.3% persistent); 0.8% primary adverse events; CE‑mark allows ablation beyond pulmonary veins
10 April 2026
WACKER debuts Beauty Lab at in-cosmetics Paris
Beauty Lab showcases testable formulations for hair, skin and tattoo care, plus bio-based BELNEXT emollients (EMO FH2, TAL 1840 M), high‑refractive BELSIL PF 23 and shampoo emulsion DM 6013 E
9 April 2026
BASF launches NeoHelix peptide and SkinNexus bio‑identical Collagen III
Two actives: a precision peptide reducing damaged collagen 41% and raising hyaluronic acid 65%; a recombinant bio‑identical Collagen III fragment that boosts Coll I/III/V and improves tone & wrinkles
8 April 2026
CELLforCURE seeks buyer for Les Ulis site
Seeking buyer to preserve cell & gene therapy manufacturing after funding slowdown, project cancellations and US relocation. Takeover sought in coming months; employee support prioritized.
8 April 2026
Brenntag signs exclusive global distribution deal with Insempra for Omega-7 biolipid
Exclusive global launch of CosVivet ActiLipid O7: precision-fermented Omega-7 biolipid for beauty - oil-soluble, hydrates sensitive skin, multifunctional and sustainable. Debuts at in-cosmetics Paris.
7 April 2026
Symrise launches Mindera Euca for plant-based rinse-off product protection
Extends plant-based product-protection tech to rinse-off: 100% plant-based, boosts foam and viscosity, creates rich foam in sulfate-free systems, works across broad pH, supports clean-beauty claims.
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