Orion has formally broken ground on a new plant at La Porte, southeast of Houston, to make acetylene-based conductive additives for lithium-ion batteries, as well as in high-voltage cables used for wind and solar farms. It will source the acetylene from Equistar Chemicals’ nearby site. Start-up is scheduled for Q2 2025

Speciality chemical manufacturer and formulator Seatex has acquired ChemQuest Chemicals, a custom chemical manufacturer, with immediate effects. Terms were not disclosed. Both companies are based in Texas.

Seatex said that this will give it “enhanced production capabilities, increased capacity and a complementary customer base, representing a diverse set of end-markets”, while also making it one of the largest custom toll manufacturers in the state.