Business & Deals 2010

• UPDATE 1-S.Africa's Mondi to sell down stake in Hadera JV
  South Africa's Mondi (MNDJ.J) said on Wednesday it will sell about half its stake in an Israeli joint venture for 10.4 million euro ($13.22 million) to help pay down debt.
  read more >>
  
  
• Kemira to form a joint venture and a strategic alliance with IVRCL in India
  Kemira Oyj and the Promoters of IVRCL have agreed to form a joint venture in India. In addition, Kemira, Hindustan Dorr-Oliver (HDO) and IVRCL are forming a strategic alliance to serve Indian water treatment markets.
  read more >>
  
  
• Sinochem Approaches Temasek About PotashCorp Bid, Reports Say
  Sinochem has approached Singapore state investment firm Temasek Holdings about a joint counteroffer to BHP Billiton's $38.7 billion hostile bid for PotashCorp, the largest producer of potash worldwide, according to Reuters (New York) reports.
  read more >>
  
  
• Kemira Oyj: Kemira strengthens presence in Asia Pacific and establishes a manufacturing facility in Nanjing, China
  Kemira establishes a manufacturing facility in Nanjing, China to enhance customer service in the growing Chinese water treatment markets. The investment is expected to be at EUR 25 million.
  read more >>
  
  
• Air Products Sweetens Its Bid for AirGas; Airgas says Reviewing the Offer
  Air Products says it has raised its offer to purchase Airgas to $65.50/share, valuing the deal at $5.5 billion. The offer is about 3% higher from the company's most recent bid of $63.50/share, and up from its original bid of $60/share made in February.
  read more >>
  
  
• Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Announces Agreement with CVC Capital Partners to Invest in Univar
  NEW YORK – September 2, 2010 – Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC and CVC Capital Partners today announced a definitive agreement for CD&R to acquire a 42.5% ownership interest in Univar, a leading global distributor of commodity and specialty chemicals to a broad array of end markets.
  read more >>
  
  
• Sasol to sell five fertiliser blending plants
  Petrochemicals group Sasol said on Monday it would sell five fertiliser blending plants to comply with a deal struck with the competition authority to help cut fertiliser prices in South Africa.
  read more >>
  
  
• Kemira and Outotec to enter strategic cooperation in developing solutions for water-intensive industrial applications
  Outotec Oyj and Kemira Oyj have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to develop, promote and support the companies' businesses in mining applications and oil sands processing as well as associated industrial water treatment solutions. 
  read more >>
  
  
• Kemira acquires Water Elements, LLC in North America
  Kemira Oyj, a global water chemistry company, is pleased to announce that it has acquired through its North American subsidiary Kemira Water Solutions, Inc.,  Water Elements, LLC, ("WE") a North American manufacturer of inorganic coagulants for municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment. 
  read more >>
  
  
• H.C. Starck Sells Clevios to Heraeus
  H.C. Starck GmbH, headquartered in Goslar, Germany, has signed a contract to sell its global “Conductive Polymers” Business Unit to Heraeus, Hanau, Germany.
  read more >>
  
  
• Solar Semi Engineering acquires Edwards Chemical Management Europe
  Solar and semiconductor start-up Solar Semi Engineering Ltd (SSE) has purchased the business and assets of Edwards Chemical Management Europe Ltd (CME) of Newhaven, Sussex, UK from vacuum and exhaust-abatement equipment maker Edwards Ltd of Crawley, UK.
  read more >>
  
  
• O-I Acquires Brazilian Glass Company
  Owens-Illinois, Inc. (O-I) today announced the acquisition of Brazilian glassmaker Companhia Industrial de Vidros (CIV), significantly expanding O-I's reach in South America's largest container market.
  read more >>
  
  
• Husky Energy Acquires Foothills Natural Gas Properties
  Husky Energy announced that a purchase agreement has been signed to acquire natural gas properties in west central Alberta, which will significantly add to the Company's production and reserves and extend the optimum utilization of its Ram River Gas Plant.
  read more >>
  
  
• PerkinElmer Agrees to Sell Illumination and Detection Solutions Business to Veritas Capital for Approximately $500 Million
  PerkinElmer signs definitive agreement to sell its Illumination and Detection Solutions business (IDS) to NY-based private equity firm Veritas Capital Fund III, L.P., for approximately $500 million including acquired cash balances.
  read more >>
  
  
• BP to Sell Malaysian Ethylene and Polyethylene Interests to Petronas
  BP today announced that it has agreed to sell its interests in ethylene and polyethylene production in Malaysia to PETRONAS.
  read more >>
  
  
• CSC Finalizes Bass & Company Acquisition
  CSC today announced that it has closed the acquisition of Bass & Company, a strategy and operations consulting firm providing services to electric, gas and water utilities.
  read more >>
  
  
• Akzo Sells Water Treatment Chemicals Site in Sweden
  Akzo Nobel subsidiary Eka Chemicals has agreed to divest its water treatment chemicals production activities located at Vetlanda, Sweden, to Feralco Nordic (Helsingborg, Sweden), a multinational firm with its primary focus on water treatment.
  read more >>
  
  
• Cosan, Shell sign binding deal on ethanol venture
  Royal Dutch Shell Plc and sugar and ethanol giant Cosan signed a binding agreement on Wednesday that will create Brazil's No. 3 fuel distributor, as well as explore international ethanol and sugar opportunities.
  read more >>
  
  
• IMCD Expands into Southern Europe and Asia
  IMCD Group B.V. has reached a binding agreement with Warwick International Group Ltd., based in Mostyn, North Wales for the sale of its specialty chemical distribution companies.
  read more >>
  
  
• Agrium and AWB Enter Into Definitive Agreement
  Agrium Inc. ("Agrium") announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement (the "Agrium Agreement") with AWB Limited ("AWB") to acquire all the shares of AWB at a price of A$1.50 per share.
  read more >>
  
  
• BHP Billiton Goes Hostile with Bid for PotashCorp
  Mining company BHP Billiton (Melbourne) has launched a hostile bid to acquire Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (PotashCorp) following PotashCorp's rejection of an approach from BHP last week.
  read more >>
  
  
• Mitsui: Acquisition of Ireland based agrichemical company
  Mitsui & Co., Ltd ("Mitsui") announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of AgriGuard Holdings Ltd ("Agriguard"), a company manufacturing and distributing off-patent crop protection products in Ireland through Mitsui's wholly owned subsidiary Mitsui AgriScience International SA/NV ("MASI").
  read more >>
  
  
• Chemtura and UP Chemical Sign Memorandum of Understanding To Form Metal Organic Precursor Joint Venture for High-Brightness LED Market
  Chemtura Corporation and UP Chemical Co., Ltd. today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) defining the terms of a joint venture company to be formed which will manufacture and sell high-purity metal organic precursors for the rapidly growing market for metal organic precursors for High Brightness LED applications
  read more >>
  
  
• Dorf Ketal buys Vertec biz of Johnson Matthey
  Dorf Ketal Chemicals AG, an arm of city-based Dorf Ketal Chemicals, has acquired Vertec business of UK-based chemical firm Johnson Matthey.
  read more >>
  
  
• PotashCorp Rejects Takeover Bid from Australian Mining Firm
  Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (PotashCorp) says it has rejected an unsolicited acquisition bid from mining company BHP Billiton (Melbourne).
  read more >>
  
  
• Brenntag closes acquisition of EAC Industrial Ingredients Ltd. A/S
  Brenntag completed the acquisition of EAC Industrial Ingredients Ltd. A/S, a provider of chemical distribution solutions in South and South East Asia.
  read more >>
  
  
• Cosan: biofuels JV deal with Shell to close soon
  Brazil's Cosan (CSAN3.SA: Quote), the world's biggest cane sugar and ethanol producer, should soon finalize a deal with oil giant Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L: Quote) over a $12 billion joint venture in biofuels, Cosan's chief executive said on Friday.
  read more >>
  
  
• Novozymes strengthens position in sustainable agriculture
  Novozymes A/S acquires Turfal, a Brazilian producer of microorganisms and supplier of sustainable solutions to the agriculture industry.
  read more >>
  
  
• MAPEI appoints Mohammed Al Qama Building Materials Trading as an authorised reseller
  MAPEI, the leading global manufacturer of adhesives, sealants and chemical products for buildings, has announced that it has recently appointed Mohammed Al Qama Building Materials Trading as an authorised reseller in Dubai.
  read more >>
  
  
• Ashland Looking to Sell Distribution Business
  Ashland Inc, the chemical maker and Valvoline brand owner, is looking to sell its chemicals and plastics distribution business and has hired Bank of America to advise on the possible sale, according to several sources familiar with the matter.
  read more >>
  
  
• Adventus Group Establishes Joint Venture for European Expansion with S&B Industrial Minerals
  Adventus Group announced that it has signed an agreement for establishment of a joint venture (JV) with S&B Industrial Minerals.
  read more >>
  
  
• Dow Corning Buys Stake in Canadian Silicon Metal Manufacturer
  Dow Corning has agreed to buy a 49% stake  in Timminco Limited's (Toronto)  Bécancour, QC silicon metal manufacturing facility for $39.7 million.
  read more >>
  
  
• AMG affiliate Timminco to form joint venture with Dow Corning at Becancour Silicon Metal Facilities
  AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.'s ("AMG", EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: "AMG") publicly listed affiliate, Timminco Limited ("Timminco") announced today that it has agreed to form a joint venture with Dow Corning Corporation ("Dow Corning") at its silicon metal production facilities in Becancour, Quebec.
  read more >>
  
  
• USA: Graham Packaging to Buy Liquid Container
  Graham Packaging Co on Monday said it will buy privately held plastic packaging maker Liquid Container for $568 million, adding 14 new plants in the United States.
  read more >>
  
  
• Update: LANXESS tight-lipped on deal for BASF's leather chemicals arm
  LANXESS’s CEO remained tight lipped on reports that the German specialty chemicals producer was preparing to buy BASF’s leather chemicals business, speaking on Friday at the group’s financial earnings press conference.
  read more >>
  
  
• BP Agrees to Sell Colombian Business to Ecopetrol and Talisman
  BP announced that it has agreed to sell its oil and gas exploration, production and transportation business in Colombia to a consortium of Ecopetrol, Colombia's national oil company (51 per cent), and Talisman of Canada (49 per cent). 
  read more >>
  
  
• Reliance Forms Another U.S. Shale Joint Venture
  Reliance Industries says its Reliance Marcellus subsidiary has signed definitive agreements to enter into a Marcellus Shale joint venture with energy company Carrizo Oil & Gas (Houston, TX).
  read more >>
  
  
• Bilcare AG to acquire INEOS’ Global Films business for €100 million
  INEOS Group has entered into a binding agreement for the sale of its Global Films business to Bilcare AG, one of the world’s leading providers of research led packaging to the global pharmaceuticals industry, for approximately €100 million. 
  read more >>
  
  
• IDEX Corporation Acquires OBL S.r.l.
  IDEX Corporation(NYSE: IEX) today announced the acquisition of OBL, S.r.l.
  read more >>
  
  
• Brenntag Acquires Certain Assets of Houghton Chemical Corporation
  Brenntag, global market leader in chemical distribution, continues its growth path and has agreed with Houghton Chemical Corporation (HCC) to acquire certain assets of the Industrial Chemicals & Solvents division of HCC for a total purchase price of USD 7.1 million.
  read more >>
  
  
• Kemira acquires Albemarle's facility in Teesport, UK to enhance product offering to the oil & gas industry in the North Sea region
  Kemira has closed a deal with Albemarle to acquire the legal entity located in Teesport, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom.
  read more >>
  
  
• Bilcare AG to Acquire INEOS' Global Films Business for EUR100 Million
  INEOS Group has today entered into a binding agreement for the sale of its Global Films business to Bilcare AG, one of the world's leading providers of research led packaging to the global pharmaceuticals industry, for approximately EUR100 million.
  read more >>
  
  
• Huntsman to Purchase Chemicals Business of Laffans Petrochemicals Ltd.
  Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) today announced that the company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the chemicals business of Laffans Petrochemicals Ltd.
  read more >>
  
  
• Evonik acquires the polyurethane additives business of BYK-Chemie GmbH, a division of ALTANA AG
  Evonik Industries has acquired the SILBYK® polyurethane foam additives business from BYK-Chemie GmbH, Wesel, Germany.
  read more >>
  
  
• Distribution agreement signed with Resinex to strengthen presence in eastern European market
  DSM Engineering Plastics and RESINEX have entered into a distribution agreement, to join forces in the market development and sales of DSM Engineering Plastics resins in Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia.
  read more >>
  
  
• Invista considers selling North America polymer and resin assets
  US polyethylene terephthalate (PET) producer Invista is considering the sale of its polymer and resin assets in North America, a company spokesperson said on Thursday.
  read more >>
  
  
• SPX Completes Acquisition of Anhydro
  SPX Corporation today announced that it has completed the acquisition of the Anhydro business, a Soeborg, Denmark-based global supplier of liquid concentration equipment, powder processing solutions, and dewatering plants and equipment. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
  read more >>
  
  
• IDEX Corporation Acquires OBL S.r.l.
  IDEX Corporation today announced the acquisition of OBL, S.r.l.
  read more >>
  
  
• Wilmar Acquires Malaysia's Natural Oleochemicals For MYR450 Mln
  Wilmar International Limited wishes to announce that its 100% subsidiary PGEO Group Sdn. Bhd has entered into a sale and purchase agreement dated 21 July, 2010 to acquire 91.38% of Natural Oleochemicals Sdn Bhd from Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad.
  read more >>
  
  
• Stepan Company purchases Alfa Systems' polyester polyols plant in Poland
  Specialist chemicals company Stepan Company reported on Friday the completion of the acquisition of all of the shares of Alfa Systems Sp zoo for an undisclosed value.
  read more >>
  
  
• EU Commission Clears Univar's Acquisition of Eurochem's Belgian and Dutch Activities
  The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation part of the proposed acquisition of the activities of Eurochem by Univar, both chemical companies. Eurochem is also known as Quaron.
  read more >>
  
  
• Süd-Chemie and Ashland agree on expanded joint venture serving foundry chemical sector
  Süd-Chemie AG and Ashland Inc. have reached contractual agreement on the formation of a global joint venture to merge their business activities in the foundry chemicals sector.
  read more >>
  
  
• Borealis and Borouge strengthen cooperation on global supply and service capability for global automotive customers
  Borealis, a leading provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions, announces the creation of a new Mobility business unit organisation which will, together with Borouge, its joint venture in the Middle East and Asia, provide global supply capability to support worldwide automotive Tier One and OEM customers in the global automotive industry.
  read more >>
  
  
• Honam Petrochemical to Acquire Titan Chemicals
  Honam Petrochemical (Seoul) has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Titan Chemicals (Kuala Lumpur) in an all-cash deal valued at about won1.5 trillion ($1.26 billion). Honam plans later to become sole owner of Titan by purchasing all of the company's remaining shares.
  read more >>
  
  
• Brenntag Closes Acquisition of EAC Industrial Ingredients Ltd.
  Brenntag, global market leader in chemical distribution, today completed the acquisition of EAC Industrial Ingredients Ltd. A/S, a long established provider of chemical distribution solutions in South and South East Asia.
  read more >>
  
  
• AkzoNobel strengthens Packaging Coatings portfolio
  AkzoNobel has today agreed to acquire the worldwide assets of Swedish-based company Lindgens Metal Decorating Coatings and Inks, including its majority stake in the Server Boya joint venture in Turkey.
  read more >>
  
  
• Bayer CropScience and Syngenta Sign Cotton Technology Licensing Deal
  Bayer CropScience and Syngenta have entered into a long-term business agreement under which Syngenta has granted Bayer CropScience a worldwide, non-exclusive license for use of VIPCOT insect control technology in cotton.
  read more >>
  
  
• Sika Strengthens Engineered Waterproofing Business in North America
  Sika AG announces that its U.S. subsidiary, Sika Corporation, has acquired the Greenstreak Group, Inc. The transaction closed on July 1, 2010.
  read more >>
  
  
• Henkel and BASF Coatings set up Research Joint Venture
  BASF Coatings GmbH and Henkel AG & Co KGaA have signed a joint venture agreement to develop innovative corrosion protection solutions for the automotive industry. The 50/50 venture, pending approval of the German anti-trust authorities, will be headquartered in Düsseldorf.
  read more >>
  
  
• ABB completes acquisition of K-TEK
  ABB announced it has completed its acquisition of Prairieville, Louisiana company K-TEK, which becomes part of the Measurement Products business unit within ABB’s Process Automation division. 
  read more >>
  
  
• Air Liquide announces a large hydrogen acquisition in Korea
  Air Liquide Korea has now completed the acquisition of H-Plus SGS, Ltd., a privately held supplier of piped carbon monoxide and hydrogen in Yeosu 
  read more >>
  
  
• Wacker Finalizes Acquisition of Silicon-Metal Production Site in Norway
  Wacker Chemie AG has successfully concluded its acquisition of the silicon-metal production site in Holla from FESIL Group (Norway).
  read more >>
  
  
• BASF to grow Plastic Additives in the Middle East
  BASF is committed to grow customer specific antioxidant blends in the Middle East region
  read more >>
  
  
• Dow and Mitsui Form Joint Venture for Chlor-Alkali Production
  The Dow Chemical Company and Mitsui & Co., Ltd., of Tokyo, Japan announced that the two companies have signed a definitive agreement to form a 50:50 manufacturing joint venture to construct, own and operate a new membrane chlor-alkali facility located at Dow’s Freeport, Texas, integrated manufacturing complex.
  read more >>
  
  
• Gardner Denver, Inc. Acquires ILMVAC GmbH
  Gardner Denver, Inc. announced that it has acquired ILMVAC GmbH, located in Ilmenau, Germany. ILMVAC, a leading European provider of vacuum pumps, systems and accessories for research and development laboratories and industrial applications, generated sales of EUR 9.4 million, or approximately $11.6 million, in the year ended December 31, 2009.
  read more >>
  
  
• Sonoco Acquires Associated Packaging Technologies, Inc.
  Sonoco (NYSE: SON), one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, has completed the acquisition of Associated Packaging Technologies, Inc. (APT), North America's largest manufacturer and supplier of Crystallized Polyethylene Terepthalate (CPET) containers to the frozen food industry.
  read more >>
  
  
• Borouge signs $2.6bn deals
  Borouge, a leading provider of innovative plastics solutions, formally signed three major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts valued at approximately $2.6 billion (Dh9.5bn) for its Borouge 3 strategic expansion in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi.
  read more >>
  
  
• RCF to set up $1.5 billion fertiliser plant in Ghana
  State-run Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF) is planning to set up a $1.5 billion, 2.3 million tonnes per annum gas-based urea and ammonium nitrate unit in Ghana, its head said late on Monday.
  read more >>
  
  
• MA Industries to buy U.S. firm Albaugh for $1 billion
  Israel's MA Industries, is to buy U.S. firm Albaugh Inc for about $1 billion, in a move which it said would boost its position in the Americas and cement its position as the world's biggest maker of generic crop protection chemicals.
  read more >>
  
  
• DSM and Roquette to Start Bio-based Succinic Acid Joint Venture
  Royal DSM N.V., the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company headquartered in the Netherlands, and Roquette Frères, the global starch and starch-derivatives company headquartered in France, today announce that they have signed a joint venture agreement for the production, commercialization and market development of bio-based succinic acid, subject to regulatory approvals and notifications.
  read more >>
  
  
• Reliance Group might bid for Lyondell again, think Execs of the Dutch firm
  Reliance Industries Limited, one of the India's biggest groups keeps expanding itself globally as well as in the domestic Indian market.
  read more >>
  
  
• India's Reliance completes new US shale gas deal
  India's biggest company Reliance Industries said Thursday it would invest 1.3 billion dollars in a US shale gas field, the second such move by the conglomerate this year.
  read more >>
  
  
• Kemira sells fluorescent whitening agents to German Catec GmbH
  Kemira Oyj and German Catec GmbH financially supported by Fengler Beteiligungs GmbH have signed a contract, according to which Kemira sells its global Fluorescent Whitening Agents (FWAs) business to Catec. FWAs improve the whiteness and brightness of paper.
  read more >>
  
  
• BASF to Acquire Cognis for EUR3.1 Billion
  BASF SE has reached an agreement with Cognis Holding Luxembourg S.à r.l. controlled by Permira Funds, GS Capital Partners and SV Life Sciences to acquire the specialty chemicals company Cognis for an equity purchase price of Euro 700 million.
  read more >>
  
  
• Cognis owners spurn higher Lubrizol offer -sources
  The private-equity owners of chemicals group Cognis have cold-shouldered a takeover offer from Lubrizol even though it was higher than that of favored bidder BASF, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
  read more >>
  
  
• Rhodia to acquire Feixiang Chemicals (ZJG), China's leading producer of amines and surfactants
  “This acquisition is a key step in the implementation of Rhodia’s profitable growth strategy."
  read more >>
  
  
• Amcor Acquires Ball Plastics Packaging Americas for USD280 mln
  Amcor announces today it has reached an agreement to purchase the assets of Ball Plastics Packaging Americas from Ball Corporation. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval in the USA.
  read more >>
  
  
• Mosaic in talks to buy Mexico's Grupo Fertinal: report
  Fertilizer producer Mosaic Co (MOS.N) is in talks to buy Mexico's Grupo Fertinal in a deal that could be worth up to $1 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.
  read more >>
  
  
• Solvay loses out in Russia soda ash plant purchase-UPDATE 1
  Belgian chemicals and plastics maker Solvay said on Thursday it failed to acquire a majority stake in a soda ash plant in Russia after the owner sold it to a Russian company.
  read more >>
  
  
• BASF to buy Cognis for 3 bln eur next week -sources
  Chemical industry leader BASF (BASF.DE) has in principle agreed to acquire German additives maker Cognis [COGN.UL] and the deal could be announced as early as next week, several people familiar with the talks said.
  read more >>
  
  
• ABB announces offer to buy Chloride Group PLC
  ABB, the global power and automation technology group, has announced a recommended offer to acquire UK-based Chloride in order to establish a leading presence in and help to meet the growing demand for uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
  read more >>
  
  
• Total, Aramco in talks over new Jubail cracker
  France oil major Total (TOTF.PA: Quote) is in talks with state Saudi Aramco to build a cracker at their joint refinery in the kingdom, an executive from Total Petrochemicals said on Tuesday.
  read more >>
  
  
• ALTANA acquires ABB Micafil’s polyurethane casting resins business
  ALTANA has acquired with immediate effect the polyurethane casting resins business of ABB Micafil, a business unit of ABB Schweiz.
  read more >>
  
  
• Catalysis: Evonik expands its presence in India
  Evonik Industries has acquired the precious metal powder catalysts business of Ravindra Heraeus Pvt. Limited.
  read more >>
  
  
• BASF to sell its hydrophilic melt additives business to Techmer PM
  BASF today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its hydrophilic melt additives business to Techmer PM, LLC, a manufacturer of colors and additives for the plastics and fiber industries located in Clinton, Tennessee, USA.
  read more >>
  
  
• Wacker acquires silicon-metal production site in Norway
  Wacker Chemie AG is acquiring the Norwegian FESIL Group´s silicon-metal production site in Holla (near Trondheim).
  read more >>
  
  
• Air Liquide completed the acquisition of AMCO-GAZ
  Poland is one of the largest countries and economies in Central Europe. Markets such as metals, automotive and food are enjoying significant growth and require increasing amounts of industrial gases.
  read more >>
  
  
• United Phosphorus buys DuPont's mancozeb fungicide biz
  Fertilisers maker United Phosphorus Ltd has acquired DuPont's non-mixture mancozeb fungicide business, to strengthen its fungicide business aimed at high value crops and markets like South and Central America.
  read more >>
  
  
• DSM and MCC complete exchange polycarbonate and polyamide businesses
  DSM Engineering Plastics, a business group of Royal DSM N.V., announces that it has completed the acquisition of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation's (MCC) Novamid® polyamide business in exchange for DSM's Xantar® polycarbonate business.
  read more >>
  
  
• Shell has buyer interest for Montreal refinery
  Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDSa.L) has received an expression of interest in its Montreal refinery, which the company has targeted for closure and conversion into a fuel terminal, a Shell spokesman said on Monday.
  read more >>
  
  
• AkzoNobel formally acquires Dow powder business
  AkzoNobel has today completed its acquisition of the Dow Chemical Company's powder coatings activities.
  read more >>
  
  
• Asahi Kasei and Mitsubishi to Form JV for Unified Cracker Operations at Mizushima
  Asahi Kasei and Mitsubishi Chemical say they have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a 50-50 joint venture company for the previously announced integration and unification of their respective naphtha cracker operations at Mizushima, Japan.
  read more >>
  
  
• LANXESS invests in U.S. biofuel & biochemical company
  LANXESS has invested in U.S. biofuel & biochemical company Gevo, Inc. as part of a proposed cooperation to produce isobutene from renewable resources.
  read more >>
  
  
• Covidien Announces Agreement to Sell Specialty Chemicals
  Covidien, a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced a definitive agreement to sell its Specialty Chemicals business to an affiliate of New Mountain Capital, L.L.C. for a cash purchase price of $280 million.
  read more >>
  
  
• Sherwin-Williams Buys Coatings Company in Sweden
  Sherwin-Williams has agreed to acquire Becker Acroma (Stockholm) from Wilh. Becker (Stockholm). The deal, subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close in the third quarter. Financial terms were not disclosed.
  read more >>
  
  
• BASF eyes larger takeovers in Asia: exec in paper
  German chemicals maker BASF (BASF.DE) is eyeing larger takeovers in Asia, part of a drive to more than double sales in the region by 2020, the executive board member in charge of the business told a newspaper.
  read more >>
  
  
• GMG and Sun Chemical announce partnership
  GMG, the world’s leading color management solutions provider, announced today a partnership with Sun Chemical to integrate spot color definitions from the world’s largest ink company into the GMG contone and halftone proofing solutions GMG ColorProof, FlexoProof and DotProof.
  read more >>
  
  
• Yara sells retail activity in South Africa
  Yara International ASA has agreed to sell its retail marketing activity in South Africa at book value.
  read more >>
  
  
• Agilent Technologies Completes Acquisition of Varian, Inc.
  Agilent Technologies Inc. announced that its acquisition of scientific-equipment maker Varian, Inc. is now final, positioning Agilent as a leading provider of analytical instrumentation to the applied and life sciences markets.
  read more >>
  
  
• RIL and Sibur to Jointly Pioneer Butyl Rubber Production in India
  Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), India‟s largest private sector company, and SIBUR, Russia‟s leading petrochemical company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up a joint venture in India.
  read more >>
  
  
• O-I Expands Presence in China and Southeast Asia
  Owens-Illinois, Inc. (NYSE: OI), the world's largest maker of glass packaging, today (Friday) announced it has entered into a joint venture with Thailand's Berli Jucker Public Company Limited (BJC) to significantly expand O-I's presence in China and Southeast Asia.
  read more >>
  
  
• DuPont Announces Intent to Acquire Interest in Zhonghao
  DuPont (NYSE: DD) today announced its intent to acquire a minority share in Changshu 3F Zhonghao New Chemical Materials Co., Ltd. (Zhonghao), pending completion of definitive agreements and securing appropriate Chinese government approvals.
  read more >>
  
  
• LANXESS and TSRC to create rubber joint venture in China
  Germany's LANXESS and Taiwan's TSRC Corporation will enter into a 50:50 joint venture in Greater China called LANXESS-TSRC (Nantong) Chemical Industrial Company Ltd.
  read more >>
  
  
• Croda to sell German oleochemicals business
  Croda International has agreed to sell its Emmerich site and associated business in Germany to KLK Emmerich GmbH, a subsidiary of the KLK Group for €60.5m.
  read more >>
  
  
• Toray Signs Big Carbon Fiber Deal with Airbus; Mulls Plant in Europe
  Toray Industries has signed a long-term basic agreement with European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) to supply carbon fiber prepregs primarily to Airbus over 15 years through 2025.
  read more >>
  
  
• Mondi sells packaging paper merchant Europapier
  Mondi is selling its central European packaging paper merchant for EUR 60m (£51m) as part of its divestment programme to focus on core business.
  read more >>
  
  
• Lanxess and TSRC to Form Nitrile Rubber JV in China
  Lanxess says it will form a 50:50 joint venture with TSRC Corp. (Taipei) to build a plant at Nantong, China that will produce nitrile rubber (NBR).
  read more >>
  
  
• BASF in Advanced Talks to Acquire Cognis
  BASF, the world's largest chemical maker by sales, is in advanced talks to take over German additives supplier Cognis, three sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Friday.
  read more >>
  
  
• Celanese Enhances Advanced Engineered Materials Segment Through Acquisition of Global LCP and PCT Product Lines from DuPont Performance Polymers
  Celanese Corporation (NYSE:CE), a leading, global chemical company, today announced that its Advanced Engineered Materials business has completed a transaction to acquire two product lines from DuPont Performance Polymers.
  read more >>
  
  
• Chemtura Completes Sale of PVC Additives Business
  Chemtura Corporation, debtor-in-possession, completed the sale of its PVC Additives business to Galata Chemicals ("Galata") on April 30, 2010 for cash consideration of $16.2 million and the assumption by Galata of certain liabilities, including certain pension obligations and environmental liabilities.
  read more >>
  
  
• LyondellBasell Leaving Bankruptcy Behind
  A Manhattan bankruptcy court is allowing LyondellBasell to emerge from Chapter 11 on Friday.
  read more >>
  
  
• Kemira to sell its Kokkola sulphuric acid plant to Boliden Kokkola Oy
  Kemira is selling its sulphuric acid plant in Kokkola, Finland, to Boliden Kokkola Oy. The business and a staff of about 20 persons will be transferred to Boliden Kokkola on May 1, 2010.
  read more >>
  
  
• Arkema and Toyobo to Start Alliance on High Temperature Biobased Polyamides
  Arkema and Toyobo have decided to form a strategic partnership to develop high temperature polyamides made from renewable resources.
  read more >>
  
  
• Aoxing and Johnson Matthey to Form API Joint Venture for Chinese Market
  Aoxing Pharmaceutical (Shijiazhuang, China) says it has entered into an agreement with Johnson Matthey to establish a joint venture through affiliated companies, which will focus on the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) for narcotics and neurological drugs for the Chinese market.
  read more >>
  
  
• UPDATE 2-Petroplus proposes to buy Total's Lindsey refinery
  Swiss-based oil refiner Petroplus (PPHN.VX) said it has proposed to buy Total's (TOTF.PA) Lindsey refinery in the UK. By Muriel Boselli and Emma Farge
  read more >>
  
  
• COMAR Announces Acquisition of Universal Container Corporation
  Comar, Inc. (Comar) announced that on Friday, April 16, 2010 it has finalized a transaction acquiring 100% of Universal Container Corporation's (Unicon) assets from its current shareholders.
  read more >>
  
  
• Mondi acquires the industrial and consumer bag operations of the Smurfit Kappa Group in western Europe and disposes of its corrugated box plants in the UK
  Mondi Group confirms that it has signed an agreement with the Smurfit Kappa Group for the acquisition of its western European industrial and consumer bag operations, which consist of 4 plants in France, 3 in Spain, and 1 in Italy as well as certain sales offices.
  read more >>
  
  
• Evonik Purchases Controlling Stake In Colloidal Silica Maker Harris & Ford Silco LLC
  Evonik Degussa Corporation has purchased a controlling interest in Harris & Ford Silco, LLC of Portland, Ore., from Indianapolis, Ind.-based Harris & Ford, LLC, for an undisclosed sum. The company has been renamed Evonik Silco Materials, LLC.
  read more >>
  
  
• Andor Technology plc acquires Photonic Instruments Inc.
  Andor Technology plc announced that it acquired Saint Charles, Illinois-based Photonic Instruments Inc. (Photonic). Photonic is a developer, manufacturer and supplier of laser and lamp based illumination and ablation systems.
  read more >>
  
  
• Sinopec May Take Stake in Brazil's Comperj Cracker
  Petrobras and Sinopec say they will "assess opportunities for [Sinopec's] partnership in the Comperj petrochemical complex" near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
  read more >>
  
  
• IDEX Corporation Acquires Seals, Ltd
  IDEX Corporation today announced the acquisition of Seals, Ltd. Seals, consisting of the Polymer Engineering and Perlast divisions, is a leading provider of proprietary high performance seals and advanced sealing solutions for a diverse range of global industries, including analytical instrumentation, semiconductor/solar and process technologies.
  read more >>
  
  
• ITT completes acquisition of Nova Analytics
  ITT Corporation announced it has completed the acquisition of Nova Analytics. The acquisition expands ITT’s presence in categories adjacent to its core businesses and builds on its global leadership positions in key markets. 
  read more >>
  
  
• Brenntag strenghtens its market position in Bavaria
  Brenntag is expanding its industrial chemicals business in the German region Bavaria.
  read more >>
  
  
• Lubrizol Bidding to Acquire Cognis?
  Lubrizol has made an offer to acquire Cognis and the proposed deal could value Cognis at €3 billion-€3.5 billion, reports say. Lubrizol and Cognis declined to comment on the reports.
  read more >>
  
  
• Pulcra Chemicals takes over DyStar's Geretsried site
  On April 1, 2010, Pulcra Chemicals bought the former DyStar production facilities for textile, fiber and leather auxiliaries in Geretsried, Germany. The company will start production in May 2010.
  read more >>
  
  
• Sika Acquires a Market Leader in Cementitious Flooring in Central and Eastern Europe
  Sika AG announces that its Czech subsidiary, Sika CZ s.r.o., has acquired the business of the Czech Panbex Group.
  read more >>
  
  
• BASF, others, in talks to buy Cognis: sources
  The owners of Cognis, the German maker of additives for cosmetics and detergents, are in talks with several parties including BASF (BASF.DE) to sell it, two people close to the negotiations said on Friday.
  read more >>
  
  
• Atlas Energy, Inc. Announces $1.7 Billion Marcellus Shale Joint Venture with Reliance Industries
  Atlas Energy, Inc. ("Atlas" or "the Company") announces today its entry into a joint venture transaction with a wholly owned affiliate of Reliance Industries Limited ("Reliance"), the largest private sector company in India and a global energy leader.
  read more >>
  
  
• Braskem concludes acquisition of Sunoco Chemicals
  Braskem announced that it has concluded the acquisition of Sunoco Chemicals’ polypropylene (PP) division, after approval of the transaction, announced on February 1 by the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice.
  read more >>
  
  
• Total Sells Mapa Spontex to U.S.-Based Jarden Corporation
  Total today announces that on April 1 it closed the sale of its consumer specialty chemicals business, Mapa Spontex, to U.S.-based Jarden Corporation for €335 million.
  read more >>
  
  
• Intertek Acquires Divisions of Ciba Expert Services from BASF: Expands Services Globally
  Intertek, the leading provider of quality and safety solutions to a wide range of industries around the world, announces the acquisition of Ciba Expert Services’ Environmental, Safety, & Testing and Regulatory businesses, including Cantox Health Sciences (Cantox) and Ashuren Health Sciences (Ashuren).
  read more >>
  
  
• Shell: Finland Oil Products Marketing Business Up For Sale
  Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSB) has put its oil products retail and marketing business in Finland up for sale, a company spokesman said Tuesday.
  read more >>
  
  
• Brenntag Acquires Biesterfeld Graen GmbH & Co. KG
  Brenntag, the global market leader in full-line chemical distribution, is expanding its industrial chemicals business in the German region Bavaria.
  read more >>
  
  
• Cognis sells UV acrylates business to IGM Resins
  Cognis has signed an agreement that it intends to sell its UV acrylates business to IGM Resins B.V., based in Waalwijk, The Netherlands.
  read more >>
  
  
• Globe Specialty Metals Acquires Core Metals Group
  Globe Specialty Metals, Inc.  today announced its acquisition of Core Metals Group, LLC, one of North America's largest producers and marketers of high-purity ferrosilicon and other specialty steel ingredients.
  read more >>
  
  
• KMG Chemicals Completes Acquisition of Electronic Chemicals Business
  KMG Chemicals, Inc., a global provider of specialty chemicals in carefully focused markets, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of General Chemical's electronic chemicals business for $25.7 million in cash plus approximately $850,000 of liabilities.
  read more >>
  
  
• Mitsui Chemicals and Idemitsu Kosan Link in Chiba Cracker JV
  Mitsui Chemicals and Idemitsu Kosan have formed an equally owned joint venture to operate their two naphtha crackers at Chiba, Japan.
  read more >>
  
  
• INEOS Group completes the sale of its fluorochemicals business to Mexichem Fluor S.A. de C.V.
  INEOS Group has successfully completed the sale of its fluorochemicals business to Mexichem Fluor S.A. de C.V., a subsidiary of Mexichem S.A.B. de C.V. 
  read more >>
  
  
• Sika Acquires a Market Leader in Cementitious Flooring in Central and Eastern Europe
  Sika AG announces that its Czech subsidiary, Sika CZ s.r.o., has acquired the business of the Czech Panbex Group.
  read more >>
  
  
• DSM to sell DSM Agro and DSM Melamine to Orascom Construction Industries
  Royal DSM N.V., the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company headquartered in the Netherlands, and Orascom Construction Industries (OCI) today announce that they have reached an agreement for the sale of DSM Agro and DSM Melamine to OCI for EUR 310 million on a cash and debt-free basis with effect from 1 January 2010.
  read more >>
  
  
• Arkema announces the sale of its Higher Methacrylates business
  In the scope of the restructuring of its methacrylics activity, Arkema has reached an agreement with Evonik for the sale of its Higher Methacrylates business.
  read more >>
  
  
• ITT agrees to purchase Nova Analytics
  ITT Corporation announced its agreement to purchase Nova Analytics Corporation.
  read more >>
  
  
• Sinopec gets upstream foothold with $2.5 billion deal
  Sinopec (0386.HK), Asia's top oil refiner, will buy a stake in upstream assets in Angola for $2.46 billion and said it wanted more such deals, which could shield it from high oil prices that hit margins in the fourth quarter.
  read more >>
  
  
• Spic divests entire stake in Jordanian subsidiary
  As part of a revamp plan, the Chennai-based debt-ridden Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation Ltd (Spic) will raise $50.6 million (Rs 232.8 crore) by selling its majority stake in a subsidiary company in Jordan, to a joint venture partner.
  read more >>
  
  
• MAPEI reaffirms commitment to emerging growth markets in Europe and Middle East
  MAPEI, the worldwide leader in the manufacturing of products for the construction sector, has announced that it has further boosted its global network of production facilities with the acquisition of a production plant in Ruse, Bulgaria that is dedicated to producing ceramic tile adhesives and thermal insulation systems.
  read more >>
  
  
• Cambrex Acquires IEP GmbH
  Cambrex Corporation (NYSE: CBM) announced it has acquired IEP GmbH ("IEP"), a privately held company that is a leader in the field of industrial biocatalysis.
  read more >>
  
  
• ALTANA acquires the business of the coatings manufacturer Aquaprint
  The specialty chemicals Group ALTANA has signed an agreement to acquire the business of Aquaprint GmbH.
  read more >>
  
  
• Jacobs and OCP Announce Joint Venture Agreement
  Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (NYSE: JEC) and OCP S.A (OCP) announced today that they entered into a joint venture agreement.
  read more >>
  
  
• Eastman to Acquire Genovique Specialties, a Leading Producer of Non-Phthalate Plasticizers
  astman Chemical Company today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Genovique Specialties Corporation, a leading global producer of specialty plasticizers, benzoic acid, and sodium benzoate.
  read more >>
  
  
• Air Liquide: A €40m contract with a steel producer in northeastern China
  Air Liquide has signed another major long-term contract in the steel industry in China.
  read more >>
  
  
• Ineos in talks with Gulf investors
  British chemicals group Ineos INEOSP.UL is in talks with "several parties" regarding a deal which could see it bring a new investor on board or sell assets, says chief executive Tom Crotty, according to the Sunday Times.
  read more >>
  
  
• Yara International Will Not Raise Offer for Terra Industries
  Yara International said today that it will not raise its offer for Terra Industries to match or exceed a bid form CF Industries Holdings.
  read more >>
  
  
• H.B. Fuller Expanding Strategic Presence in Southeast Asia
  H.B. Fuller Company announced today that it has entered into a stock purchase agreement under which it will acquire all of the shares of Revertex Finewaters Shd Bhd in Malaysia, a joint venture of Yule Catto & Company Plc and Jahor Corporation.
  read more >>
  
  
• Agilent Technologies Announces Strategic Partnership with Pacific Laboratory Products in Australia
  Agilent Technologies Inc. announced the strategic partnership with Pacific Laboratory Products in Australia to provide best-in-class technical support and efficient delivery for the entire range of Agilent Chromatography Columns and Supplies products.
  read more >>
  
  
• Terra Industries Accepts CF Industries' Offer
  Terra Industries says it has accepted CF Industries' $47.40/share offer, which was made on March 2. The offer values Terra at about $4.72 billion.
  read more >>
  
  
• Univar and Diastatische Producten join forces in food and drink markets
  Univar announced the signing of a distribution agreement with Diastatische Producten to develop the growing market for malt extracts in Belgium, Poland and the Middle East.
  read more >>
  
  
• Sika Acquires Automotive Glass Replacement Adhesive Systems Business
  Sika AG announces that its U.S. subsidiary, Sika Corporation, has acquired the automotive glass replacement business of ADCO Products, Inc. (“ADCO”).
  read more >>
  
  
• Bayer MaterialScience acquires Artificial Muscle, Inc.
  Bayer MaterialScience LLC, a subsidiary of Bayer AG and part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business, has acquired Artificial Muscle, Inc. (AMI) of Sunnyvale, California. AMI is a pioneer and leader in the field of electroactive polymers for the consumer electronics industry.
  read more >>
  
  
• Brenntag acquires French chemical distributor Metausel
  Brenntag announced the acquisition of the chemical distribution assets of Metausel, headquartered in Strasbourg, France. 
  read more >>
  
  
• Factbox: Shell, PetroChina bid $3 billion for Australia's Arrow
  Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) and PetroChina (0857.HK) jointly bid more than $3 billion for Australia's Arrow Energy (AOE.AX), marking a Chinese firm's first foray in the country's burgeoning coal-seam gas sector.
  read more >>
  
  
• Afton Chemical Announces Acquisition of Polartech
  Afton Chemical Corporation, a global leader in the lubricant and fuel additive market, today announced the completion of its Polartech acquisition.
  read more >>
  
  
• Fertiliser groups set to mark rebound from crisis with spate of acquisitions
  This year’s spate of merger and acquisition activity in the fertiliser industry is set to continue as companies seek size to compete with the arrival in the sector of miners such as Vale of Brazil and BHP Billiton.
  read more >>
  
  
• UK Ineos plans to cut tax bill with Swiss relocation
  Ineos, the UK’s biggest private company by sales, is preparing to move its headquarters to Switzerland in a bid to save on tax bills.
  read more >>
  
  
• Dow Formulated Systems and E.A. Juffali & Brothers Announce Sign Business Alliance in Polyurethane Systems for the Middle East
  Dow Formulated Systems, a global business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), and E.A. Juffali & Brothers announced they signed a business alliance in their polyurethane systems business.
  read more >>
  
  
• Lanxess in talks to buy rubber group Eliokem-paper
  Lanxess (LXSG.DE) is in talks to buy synthetic rubber company Eliokem, in a move that would bolster its position as the world's largest producer of synthetic rubber.
  read more >>
  
  
• Andritz Acquires KMPT AG, Germany
  International technology Group ANDRITZ has signed a contract to acquire KMPT AG, headquartered in Vierkirchen, Germany, including its affiliates in England, France, Italy, China, and the United States.
  read more >>
  
  
• Univar adds bio solvents to pan-European portfolio
  Univar has announced a pan-European distribution agreement with Liberty Chemicals srl, sole European representative of Vertec BioSolvents, Inc.
  read more >>
  
  
• Dow Announces Sale of Styron Division to Bain Capital for $1.63 Billion
  The Dow Chemical Company and Bain Capital Partners, a leading global private equity firm, announced jointly today that they have signed a definitive agreement under which Dow's Styron Division will be divested to an affiliate of Bain Capital for $1.63 billion.
  read more >>
  
  
• Evonik Acquires Catalyst Business from H.C. Starck
  Evonik Industries acquired the catalyst business of H.C. Starck GmbH based in Goslar (Germany).
  read more >>
  
  
• LyondellBasell Board Rejects Reliance Industries' Bid
  The board of LyondellBasell Industries has rejected a Reliance Industries' bid for a controlling stake that valued the company at $14.5 billion, according to people familiar with the situation.
  read more >>
  
  
• UPDATE 1-BP in $200 mln US shale gas tie-up-source
  BP Plc (BP.L) will form a joint venture with privately owned Lewis Energy to exploit Lewis's Eagle Ford shale gas assets in Texas, in a deal worth about $200 million, a source familiar with the matter said.
  read more >>
  
  
• TPG leads the race to buy Dow's Styron - WSJ
  U.S. private equity firm TPG [TPG.UL] has emerged as a front runner to buy Dow Chemical's (DOW.N) Styron plastics business, Wall Street Journal said, citing several people familiar with the matter.
  read more >>
  
  
• KMG Chemicals Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire General Chemical's Electronic Chemicals Business
  KMG Chemicals, Inc., a global provider of specialty chemicals in carefully focused markets, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire certain assets of the electronic chemicals business of General Chemical Performance Products, LLC for $25.5 million in cash.
  read more >>
  
  
• DSM and MCC sign contracts to exchange polycarbonate and polyamide businesses
  DSM Engineering Plastics, a business group of the Netherlands-based Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company Royal DSM N.V., today announces that it has signed the contracts with Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) enabling DSM to acquire MCC's Novamid® polyamide business in exchange for DSM's Xantar® polycarbonate business.
  read more >>
  
  
• Indian firm buying Chemtura's PVC additives business
  Chemtura Corp. has a deal to sell its PVC additives business, but the buyer is not the stalking horse bidder that first emerged in December.
  read more >>
  
  
• Glencore gets approval for takeover of Biopetrol
  Competition authorities have approved the purchase of a majority stake in Swiss-German biodiesel producer Biopetrol Industries AG (B2I.DE) by Swiss commodities giant Glencore [GLEN.UL], Biopetrol said on Tuesday.
  read more >>
  
  
• Reliance Industries Ups Bid for LyondellBasell
  Reliance Industries has increased its bid by $1 billion to $14.5 billion for a controlling stake in LyondellBasell, local sources familiar with the situation say.
  read more >>
  
  
• Arch Chemicals Reaches Agreement to Sell Industrial Coatings Business to Sherwin-Williams
  Arch Chemicals, Inc. announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Industrial Coatings business to The Sherwin-Williams Company for approximately 40 million euros ($54 million) in cash. The transaction is targeted to close on March 31, 2010 and is subject to customary closing conditions.
  read more >>
  
  
• Brenntag acquires French chemical distributor Metausel
  Brenntag, the global market leader in full-line chemical distribution, announces the acquisition of the chemical distribution assets of Metausel, headquartered in Strasbourg, France.
  read more >>
  
  
• Yara International to Buy Terra Industries for $4.1 billion
  Yara International (Oslo), the leading global fertilizer producer, has agreed to buy competitor Terra Industries for $4.1 billion, just weeks after CF Industries Holding abandoned its hostile bid to buy Terra.
  read more >>
  
  
• Univar to Acquire Quaron
  Univar, a leading global chemical distributor, has signed an agreement to acquire the Quaron Group, a distributor of chemicals in Belgium, France and the Netherlands.
  read more >>
  
  
• Air Products Makes Unsolicited Bid to Acquire Airgas
  Air Products has made an unsolicited bid to acquire Airgas for $7 billion in cash. The proposed deal would create the biggest industrial gases company in North America.
  read more >>
  
  
• Eastman might sell PET business?
  Many in the plastics industry know Eastman Chemical Co. as a PET resin supplier. But the company may be planning to exit that business, according to a story in the daily paper where the company is headquartered.
  read more >>
  
  
• Foster Wheeler and SOFCON to Form Joint Venture in Saudi Arabia
  Foster Wheeler AG (Nasdaq: FWLT) announced today that a subsidiary of its Global Engineering and Construction Group has signed a Joint Venture Agreement to form a jointly owned Saudi Arabian entity with A. Al-Saihati, A. Fattani and O. Al-Othman Consulting Engineering Company (SOFCON) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  read more >>
  
  
• Yara acquires remaining 50% of Balderton Fertiliser
  Yara International ASA has acquired the remaining 50% ownerships in the Geneva-based Balderton Fertilisers SA for USD 130 million, and owns 100% of the company after the transaction.
  read more >>
  
  
• INEOS Group agree sale of INEOS Fluor to Mexichem Fluor S.A.
  INEOS Group has agreed terms for the sale of its fluorochemicals business to Mexichem, a leading Latin American producer of PVC pipes and resin, chloralkali, hydrofluoric acid and fluorspar.
  read more >>
  
  
• Braskem Expected to Soon Detail Plans for U.S. Acquisition
  Brazilian polyolefins producer Braskem (São Paulo) is expected to detail plans for its long anticipated U.S. acquisition by early February, says Polyolefins Consulting (No. Brunswick, NJ).
  read more >>
  
  
• Mitsui, Nabaa mull $20 bln petchem plant-source
  Japan's Mitsui & Co and Saudi Arabia's Nabaa Industrial Development and Investment Co are considering building a $20 billion petrochemical complex in Yanbu, an industry source said.
  read more >>
  
  
• Ferrinov announces exclusive distribution agreement with Univar for the Canadian market
  Canadian company Ferrinov, which has achieved a major technological breakthrough in the production of anticorrosion pigments, today announced that it has signed an exclusive five-year agreement with the chemical distribution company Univar Canada for the distribution of eco-friendly pigments on the Canadian market.
  read more >>
  
  
• Poland may drop sale of 3 chemical companies
  Poland may decide not to walk away from the sale of controlling stakes in three chemical makers Ciech, Tarnow and ZAK, a deputy treasury minister said on Monday.
  read more >>
  
  
• Polish Firm Pulawy Makes Offer to Buy Anwil from PKN Orlen
  Zaklady Azotowe Pulawy (ZAP; Pulawy, Poland), the leading maker of fertilizers in Poland and one of the world's leading producers of melamine, has made a conditional offer to PKN Orlen (Plock, Poland) to acquire a majority stake in Anwil SA (Wloclawek, Poland), PKN Orlen's subsidiary specializing in the production of fertilizers, chlor-alkalis and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
  read more >>
  
  
• Haldor Topsoe Secures $40 Million Contract with PetroPeru
  Catalysts and process technology firm Haldor Topsøe (Lyngby, Denmark) says it has signed a deal with PetroPeru to supply technologies for three new plants in Peru.
  read more >>
  
  
• Braskem, Petrobras Agree on Terms for ‘Nova Braskem’ Merger
  Braskem parent Odebrecht (São Paulo) and Brazil’s state oil company Petrobras (Rio de Janeiro) have announced their agreement to merge Braskem with rival thermoplastics firm Quattor, which is controlled by Petrobras.
  read more >>
  
  
• DSM Signs Deal with Novomer to Develop CO2-Based Coating Resin; Opens Plant in Germany
  DSM says that it has signed an agreement with Novomer (Waltham, MA) to jointly develop a coating resin using carbon dioxide (CO2) as a raw material.
  read more >>
  
  
• Nissan Chem Buys Lawn Fungicide Business from Dow Unit
  Nissan Chemical Industries Ltd. (TSE:4021) announced Monday that it has acquired the thifluzamide fungicide business of U.S. firm Dow AgroSciences LLC, a subsidiary of Dow Chemical Co.
  read more >>
  
  
• Eastman Acquires Specialty Polymers Manufacturing Facility in China
  Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) announced that it has completed the acquisition of Tongxiang Xinglong Fine Chemical Co., Ltd., a cellulose-based specialty polymers manufacturing facility located near Shanghai, China.  Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
  read more >>
  
  
• Albemarle Announces Strategic Supply Agreement And Settlement & Cross-License Agreement With Chemtura
  Albemarle Corporation announced that it has entered into a series of strategic agreements with Chemtura Corporation.
  read more >>
  
  
• Sibur in Talks to Invest in Iran's Petchems Industry
  A Russian-Iranian working group held a meeting at Sibur's headquarters in Moscow earlier this week to discuss cooperation in the field of energy and petrochemicals.
  read more >>
  
  
• Huntsman Announces Chinese Polyols Joint Venture with Jurong Ningwu Chemical Company
  The Polyurethanes division of Huntsman Corporation announced the creation of a new, China-based, joint venture with Jurong Ningwu Chemical Co. Ltd, to research, develop, manufacture and sell base polyether polyol products. 
  read more >>
  
  
• Evonik completes acquisition of Tippecanoe Laboratories in USA
  Evonik Industries AG has completed the purchase of the Tippecanoe Laboratories manufacturing facility in Lafayette (Indiana, USA) from Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis (USA).
  read more >>
  
  
• Qatar Engineering Firm to Buy ENI Chlor-Alkali Plants?
  Civil engineering and trading company Ramco Trading & Contracting Co. (Doha), currently in talks to buy ailing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) producer Vinyls Italia (Porto Marghera, Italy), has also entered into discussions with ENI (Rome) over the possible acquisition of chlor-alkali plants that supply Vinyls Italia facilities in northeastern Italy and Sardinia.
  read more >>
  
  
• BASF sells films business to start-up investor
  BASF has sold its Aurora-brand specialty films business to start-up investor RMS Packaging.
  read more >>
  
  
• Dow Izolan Inaugurates its State-of-the-Art Polyurethane Systems Manufacturing Plan
  Dow Izolan Inaugurates its State-of-the-Art Polyurethane Systems Manufacturing Plant in Vladimir, Russia
  read more >>
  
  
• Cognis opens new affiliate in Malaysia
  Cognis opened an affiliate in Selangor, Malaysia. Cognis Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Cognis Group. The aim is to accelerate the group’s growth in the region by improving the level of service it offers to customers there. The decision to open an affiliate in Malaysia reflects the country’s strategic importance to Cognis.
  read more >>
  
  
• Investment boosts SpheriTech’s growth
  SpheriTech received a six-figure investment has come from a financial backer who wishes to remain anonymous. The investor has taken a 20% holding in SpheriTech.
  read more >>
  
  
• Borouge establishes new company in Guangzhou
  Further to the formation of Borouge Sales and Marketing Shanghai Co., Ltd and the Borouge Compounding Shanghai Co., Ltd in 2009, Borouge, a  provider of innovative plastics solutions, has announced the incorporation of Borouge Sales and Marketing (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd.
  read more >>
  
  

News archive
Search the news archive: 2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003