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SI outsources to China

Texas-based SI Group has concluded a long-term supply partnership with Liaoning Dingjide Petrochemical of Shanghai, a manufacturer of additives and other speciality chemicals. Dingjide will manufacture certain unnamed SI antioxidant products at its site and SI will consequently close its operations at Jinshan on 31 July and is now seeking a buyer immediately.

Venator to shut down Duisburg TiO2 plant

TiO2 producer Venator Materials has completed a strategic review following its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October and intends to implement a transformation plan, which has the support of its new shareholders.

Rodney Steel

The BCMPA has announced that Rodney Steel, its former CEO, has died following a short illness. A well-known figure across the contract manufacturing, packing and logistics sectors in the UK, Steel had led the BCMPA since 2003 until his retirement in June 2023.

Feature article - Four strategies to meet chemical industry challenges in 2024

Stephen Ottley, head of chemicals & energy at SGS Maine Pointe, outlines ways chemical companies can deal with the current uncertainty

The chemical industry is part of every major segment of the US economy and makes up more than 25% of US GPD. When the chemical industry struggles, the economy feels the vibration—and when the economy struggles, the chemical industry reacts. The last 18 months have seen tremendous shifts.

Alliance in natural fragrances

Sensegen, a US-based specialist in biotech-enabled fragrances, notably a new class of natural musk raw materials, has announced a strategic collaboration with Japan’s Takasago, a large player in the flavours and fragrances industry. Commercial terms were not disclosed.

The two companies stated that they are “joining forces to yield a fusion of creativity and technical prowess, promising to redefine the landscape of olfactory experiences”. The global market for natural fragrance is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.7% between 2022 and 2030, reaching $8.5 billion in 2030.

Wacker plans silicone specialities plant

Wacker Chemie is to invest an amount in the “low triple-digit million euro range” on a new, 20,000 tonnes/year silicones facility at Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic. Development work on the site is set to begin shortly, with construction starting in Q2, subject to approval by the authorities. It is due onstream at the start of 2025 and will create up to 20 jobs.

Altana grows in pigments

German speciality chemicals group Altana has agreed to acquire the Silberline Group subject to customary closing conditions. Terms are not being disclosed. The business will henceforth form part of Altana’s Eckart division. Based in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, Silberline employs over 450 people and had sales of about $80 million in 2022. It makes effect pigments for applications ranging from automotive coatings and printing inks to plastics, protective coatings and packaged consumer goods.

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