Construction Chemicals

Recent developments

Low-carbon formulations

Architectural and fire-protection chemistries advanced. BASF expanded biomass-balanced, REDcert²-certified additives for architectural coatings with Dispex AA 4145 MB, Rheovis PU 1333 MB and Rheovis HS 1169 MB, offering lower-PCF drop-in options. Clariant introduced Exolit AP 422 A, an SVHC-free ammonium polyphosphate for intumescent coatings and firestops, and expanded capacity in Daya Bay while adding new Exolit OP grades targeting e-mobility requirements.

Cement CO2 capture

Cement producers accelerated carbon capture pilots. thyssenkrupp Polysius inaugurated the CI4C Catch4Climate Pure Oxyfuel line in Mergelstetten, designed to enable capture of nearly 95% of process and fuel CO2. Holcim opened CaptureLab, a plug-and-play platform to validate multiple capture routes on real flue gas. The site is hosting Air Liquide’s modular Cryocap FG pilot.

Portfolio realignments

Portfolio realignments continued. Holcim completed the acquisition of Xella, adding AAC modular systems, calcium silicate elements and insulation. Sumitomo Corporation agreed to transfer 70% of S.C. Cement to Sumitomo Osaka Cement, combining distribution and technology. AkzoNobel said multiple proposals from Nippon Paint for Decorative Paints undervalue the business and continues to recommend a merger of equals with Axalta. PPG appointed John Smith VP, architectural coatings EMEA as Steve Pocock retires.

Upstream capacity shifts

Upstream capacity shifts for construction materials. Covestro announced preparations for a new 660 kt/y MDI production train in Shanghai and a UAE feasibility study for a second world-scale plant, both targeting net-zero Scope 1 and 2 operations. Nobian commissioned a fully electrified MVR salt plant in Denmark, lifting site capacity by about 60% to up to one million tons per year.