Air Products Completes $70 Million Membrane Facility Expansion
Air Products opened a $70 million expansion of its Missouri Manufacturing and Logistics Center to meet rising demand in biogas, hydrogen, and marine fuel applications.
Chemistry
Nobian Opens Electrified Salt Plant in Denmark
Nobian has officially opened a new fully electrified salt production facility in Mariager, Denmark. Based on mechanical vapor recompression (MVR) technology.
Olin and Huntsman Announce Transformative Merger of Equals
Olin and Huntsman, the two major US chemical manufacturers, will create a $12+ billion integrated North American chemicals leader.
Soccer World Cup: Materials in the Spotlight
The World Cup shows that high-tech materials have revolutionized the sport.
INX Announces Strategic Collaboration with Albert Invent to Unlock AI-Powered Innovation Across its R&D Operations
INX International Ink, a leading global manufacturer of inks and coatings, and chemistry AI company Albert Invent recently announced a strategic collaboration to digitally transform INX’s R&D.
Sasol Doubles Down on Germany With €60 Million Specialty Chemicals Expansion
Sasol is expanding its Brunsbüttel site with a €60 million investment to boost specialty alumina production and strengthen supply for critical catalyst applications. Operations targeted for 2029.
Evonik Opens Asia Beauty Science & Innovation Center in Shanghai
Evonik has opened its first center for beauty science and innovation in Asia at the Evonik Shanghai Innovation Park in China.
Dow and Univar Solutions Sign Long-Term Agreement to Distribute Low-Carbon Solutions
Dow has signed a long-term deal with Univar Solutions to distribute its Decarbia low-carbon product line — spanning beauty, food, pharma, and industrial markets — through Univar's global network.
Chemical industry under constant stress
The chemical and pharmaceutical industry got off to a weak start in 2026. Seasonally adjusted production fell by 2.8% in the first quarter. This was almost 6% lower than in the previous year.
Budenheim Expands Portfolio with Chelated Minerals
Budenheim Life Sciences is expanding its preventive and specialized nutrition portfolio in the Americas with the launch of a chelated minerals portfolio.
Biorefineries: European chemistry makes a comeback
From dependence on fossil fuels to strategic diversification of raw materials
Chemical Solutions Group Adds Resource Chemicals to Growing UK Portfolio
Irish water treatment specialist CSG acquires UK distributor Resource Chemicals, pushing group revenue past €100 million and advancing its strategy to build a full-service platform across Ireland and the UK.
ADNOC Subsiduary Secures $2 Billion Methanol Financing and $10 Billion Deal with Alpha Dhabi
Abu Dhabi's Ta'ziz signs a $10 billion chemicals deal with Alpha Dhabi and closes $2bn in methanol plant financing, marking over $12 billion in new investment at Al Ruwais Industrial City.
Covestro Launches Largest Energy Efficiency Project to Date
By investing in a new steam compressor at the Dormagen site, Covestro will reduce its energy requirements in Germany by 2% per year compared to 2025.
Biofuels: Bayer and BP Form Strategic Alliance
Bayer and BP start a long-term strategic cooperation to market the oilseed camelina under the Newgold brand for the production of biofuels.
Biesterfeld and Traceless Materials Form Strategic Partnership
Distributor and material innovator aim to bring plastic-free injection moulding materials to market at scale.
UPM and BASF Cooperate on Recyclable Packaging
UPM and BASF are working together to help brand owners, converters and formulators make the transition to recyclable, fiber-based packaging solutions.
Westlake Vinnolit Takes over Insolvent Vynova Wilhelmshaven
The provisional insolvency administrator of Vynova Wilhelmshaven has signed a letter of intent with the US chemicals group Westlake regarding the acquisition of the production site for polyvinyl chloride and vinyl chloride monomer in Wilhelmshaven.
Maximilian Peter Heads Wacker Polymers
Maximilian Peter will take over as Head of the Polymers division on May 1, 2026. The previous head of the division, Peter Summo, will take over the management of the central Sales & Distribution division.
Ineos Acetyls and Sandpiper Chemicals Announce $1.7 Billion Collaboration for Low‑Carbon Methanol Facility in Texas City
Landmark facility to produce low-carbon methanol, supporting the energy transition and creating hundreds of jobs along the Gulf Coast.
Scaling Sustainability in Cosmetics
Sustainability is central in cosmetics. Commit for Our Planet turns goals into action with shared targets, clear metrics, and value‑chain collaboration, helping brands of all sizes advance sustainability.
Affix Labs Raises €1 Million for Distribution Expansion
Dutch green chemtech start-up Affix Labs has raised an investment of €1 million for the European expansion of its sustainable insect repellent.
Brenntag Introduces New Biopharma Brand
Byphar is Brenntag's new biopharma-focused brand designed to bring quality, efficiency and flexibility to every stage of biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
Shrieve Chemical Company Acquires FIS Chemicals
Shrieve Chemical Company has acquired Aberdeen-based FIS Chemicals, expanding Shrieve’s product portfolio and presence across key industrial end markets; deal terms were not disclosed.
Ineos Inovyn to Sell Italian Chlor-Alkali Business to Esseco
Ineos Inovyn to sell its stake in Italy’s Inovyn Produzione Italia (Rosignano, Tavazzano sites) to Esseco Industrial. Deal expected in 2026, pending approvals; operations and supply unchanged during transition.
Karen S. Carter Appointed CEO of Dow; Jim Fitterling to Become Executive Chair
Dow CEO Jim Fitterling will step down to become Executive Chair, while current COO Karen S. Carter has been appointed CEO effective July 1, 2026. The move follows a multi-year succession process.
Colonial Chemical Solutions Acquires Integrity Partners Group
Colonial Chemical Solutions has acquired Integrity Partners Group, adding Chemisphere and Chemsolv to expand its Southeast footprint, capabilities, and customer reach in chemical distribution.
Chemspec Europe: Conference Program 2026
The specialty chemicals exhibition Chemspec Europe has released more details about its conference program - including key topics, session content and new interactive formats for 2026.
Syensqo and Shell Chemicals to Advance Low-Carbon Ethylene Oxide Solutions
Certified alternative ethylene oxide (EO)-based ingredients enable customers to reduce Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining high performance standards.
DuPont Completes $1.8 Billion Divestiture of Aramids Business
DuPont has completed the sale of its Aramids business, including Kevlar and Nomex brands, to Arclin in a deal valued at about $1.8 billion.
CEFIC: Miguel Prieto Arranz Appointed Executive Director Specialty Chemicals
CEFIC recently announced the promotion of Miguel Prieto Arranz to Executive Director, Specialty Chemicals, as of 1 April 2026.
BASF Completes Acquisition of AgBiTech
BASF Agricultural Solutions recently completed the acquisition of AgBiTech. This follows the agreement signed in January 2026 with private equity firm Paine Schwartz Partners and other shareholders.
BASF Inaugurates New Verbund Site in China
The newly constructed Verbund site in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province in southern China, with an area of around four square kilometers, is more than just a major project for BASF in the growth market of China.
Arkema Expands its PVDF Production Capacity in China
Arkema will increase Kynar PVDF production capacity at its Changshu, China site by 20% by 2028 to meet strong demand for batteries, coatings and other high-performance applications in Asia-Pacific and globally.
