Specialty Chemicals News

• Fluor to Provide EPCM Services for Northvolt’s Battery Facility in Germany

  1 July 2024

  SpecialtiesBiobased & Circular

  

  Fluor will handle engineering, procurement, and construction management for Phase One of a $4.8 billion lithium-ion battery factory in Germany, with completion set for 2027.
• EuroAPI FOCUS-27 Plan: Job Cuts and Facility Divestments

  28 June 2024

  SpecialtiesCDMOPharma

  

  The FOCUS-27 plan aims to boost competitiveness with €110-120M restructuring costs, €350-400M CAPEX, and €75-80M annual EBITDA by 2027, focusing on high-value APIs and strategic sites.
• WACKER Begins Construction of New Silicone Production Site in Czech Republic

  25 June 2024

  Specialties

  

  The new site in Karlovy Vary will produce high-performance silicones by 2025, creating 200 jobs. It supports key industries like electromobility and medical care, enhancing WACKER's European production.
• Merck Invests €62M in New Quality Control Facility

  11 June 2024

  SpecialtiesCDMOPharma

  

  The new 10,000 sqm facility in Darmstadt will house 135 employees, meet sustainability standards, and enhance quality control for life science products, supporting Merck's €1.5B investment program.
• Inauguration of Tritium Removal Facility at Cernavoda Nuclear Plant

  10 June 2024

  SpecialtiesEnergy

  

  The new facility will enhance environmental protection and energy security, using advanced Romanian technology. It marks a significant step in nuclear tech and EU sustainability goals.

• Arkema and ProLogium to Build Gigafactory for Next-Gen Batteries in France

  14 May 2024

  SpecialtiesBiobased & CircularEnergy

  

  The collaboration will focus on advanced R&D for efficient, safe, and sustainable lithium-ceramic batteries, supported by a French government subsidy under the "France 2030" plan.
• BASF Expands Basoflux® Production in Spain

  7 May 2024

  Specialties

  

  The expansion will boost production of paraffin inhibitors, enhancing efficiency and flexibility. New solutions will support sustainable oil production, with first deliveries expected in early 2025.
• IPP to Sell BASF's Ammonia, Methanol, and Melamine Plants in Germany

  6 May 2024

  Base chemistrySpecialtiesFood

  

  BASF's ammonia, methanol, and melamine plants in Ludwigshafen are for sale. The deal excludes financial details. The plants offer efficient production and are available for relocation.
• Arkema Acquires Dow's Laminating Adhesives Business

  2 May 2024

  SpecialtiesPolymers

  

  The acquisition expands Arkema's flexible packaging solutions, enhancing its market position. The deal includes five production sites and aims for $30M EBITDA synergies in five years. Completion by Q4 2024.
• ANDRITZ Launches Biodegradable Wipes Line at Teknomelt in Türkiye

  23 April 2024

  SpecialtiesBiobased & Circular

  

  A new production line for biodegradable, plastic-free wet wipes has started, using bio-based fibers to meet sustainable goals and expand product range.
• Holcim and thyssenkrupp Begin Construction on Carbon-Neutral Cement Plant in Germany

  22 April 2024

  SpecialtiesBiobased & Circular

  

  Construction starts on a carbon-neutral cement plant in Lägerdorf, using "pure oxyfuel" tech to capture CO2. The plant aims to cut emissions by 1.2 million tons annually, operational by 2028.
• Arkema Acquires Majority Stake in Proionic for Next-Gen Battery Solutions

  17 April 2024

  Specialties

  

  The acquisition enhances Arkema's battery materials portfolio, leveraging Proionic's ionic liquids for improved battery performance and sustainability, aligning with Arkema's innovative and sustainable solutions strategy.
• BASF Begins Operating Prototype Battery Recycling Metal Refinery in Germany

  16 April 2024

  SpecialtiesBiobased & Circular

  

  The new plant optimizes battery recycling, recovering valuable metals and supporting Europe's battery materials ecosystem, enhancing sustainability and self-sufficiency in line with EU regulations.
• Arkema Boosts Pebax® Elastomers Production by 40% in France

  1 February 2024

  SpecialtiesPolymers

  

  The new unit at Serquigny produces bio-circular and classical Pebax® elastomers, reducing water use by 25%. These materials serve sports, electronics, and specialty markets.
• TotalEnergies Acquires German Battery Storage Developer Kyon Energy

  23 January 2024

  SpecialtiesBiobased & CircularEnergy

  

  The acquisition includes €90M upfront and earn-out payments. Kyon Energy has 770 MW developed, 350 MW under construction, and a 2 GW project pipeline, enhancing TotalEnergies' power strategy in Germany.
• Evonik Expands HTPB Production in Marl

  15 January 2024

  Specialties

  

  The expanded plant will boost HTPB capacity by Q2 2024. The site benefits from integrated raw material supply and in-house R&D, enhancing service reliability and market position.
• Arkema Invests in Tiamat to Advance Sodium-Ion Batteries

  12 January 2024

  SpecialtiesBiobased & CircularEnergy

  

  Arkema's investment in Tiamat will boost sodium-ion battery development, aiming for a 5 GWh factory in France by 2025, reducing reliance on lithium and creating up to 1,000 jobs.
• BYK Netherlands Invests in New Solvent-Based Wax Dispersions Plant

  12 January 2024

  Specialties

  

  The new plant in Deventer will replace the current facility, meeting future customer and regulatory demands. Commercial production starts end 2026, ensuring safety, sustainability, and reliability.
• WACKER to Build Silicone Production Site in Czech Republic

  11 January 2024

  Specialties

  

  New site in Karlovy Vary to produce specialty silicones by end of 2025, creating 200 jobs. Focus on room-temperature-vulcanizing silicones, later adding high-temperature-vulcanizing compounds.
• BASF and Stena Recycling Partner to Recycle EV Batteries in Europe

  9 January 2024

  Base chemistrySpecialtiesBiobased & CircularEnergy

  

  The partnership aims to create a battery recycling value chain in Europe, focusing on high recovery rates of metals from lithium-ion batteries to support a circular economy for electric vehicle batteries.
• EU Approves €902M Aid for Northvolt's German Battery Plant

  8 January 2024

  SpecialtiesBiobased & Circular

  

  The EU approved a €902M German aid measure to support a battery plant in Heide, aiming to boost EV production and the green transition, while ensuring fair competition within the EU.
• Neste to Transform Porvoo Refinery into Renewables Hub

  20 December 2023

  Base chemistrySpecialtiesBiobased & CircularPolymersRefineryEnergy

  

  The Porvoo refinery will shift to producing 3 million tons of renewable and circular products by the mid-2030s, requiring 2.5 BEUR in investments, driven by declining fossil fuel demand and climate goals.
• Arkema to Acquire Arc Building Products in Ireland

  13 December 2023

  SpecialtiesPolymers

  

  The acquisition will enhance Arkema's market position in Ireland, expanding its product range and local production. The deal is set to close in Q1 2024.
• BASF Expands Defoamer Capacity in Turkey

  22 November 2023

  Specialties

  

  New production line in Turkey boosts defoamer output, meeting demand in SE Europe, Middle East, Africa. Reduces lead times, cuts transport emissions, and strengthens additives business.
• Röhm and Sabic Form POLYVANTIS for Advanced Film and Sheet Products

  21 November 2023

  SpecialtiesPolymers

  

  POLYVANTIS will offer advanced films and sheets, combining expertise from Röhm and SABIC. The merger aims to accelerate growth and provide diverse, innovative solutions across multiple industries.
• Fluor Secures FEED Contract for Sodium-Ion Battery Facility in Sweden

  25 October 2023

  Base chemistrySpecialtiesBiobased & CircularEnergy

  

  Fluor will provide FEED services for the first industrial-scale sodium-ion battery facility in Sweden, with project management from its UK office. Completion is expected by early 2024.
• IONWAY to Build First Plant in Nysa, Poland

  7 October 2023

  SpecialtiesBiobased & CircularEnergy

  

  The new plant will create 900 jobs, run on renewable energy, and support the EU Green Deal. The Polish government backs the €1.7 billion investment with €350 million in grants.