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U.S. chemical industry output declines, ACC mid-year outlook says

Key U.S. chemical industry metrics will be lower this year, according to the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) Mid-Year 2020 Chemical Industry Situation and Outlook. Production volumes, shipments and capital spending will fall due to economic and business…

U.S. chemical production fell in May, ACC says

According to the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemstry.com), the U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) fell by 2.0 percent in May following a 2.7 percent decline in April and a 0.9 percent decline in March. During May,…

2020 CEPCI Updates: April (prelim.) and March (final)

The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI) for April 2020 (the most recent available) decreased compared to the previous month’s value, with the values of all four major subindices (Equipment; Construction Labor; Buildings; and Engineering & Supervision)…

U.S. specialty chemical markets experience rebound in May, ACC says

The American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) reported that U.S. specialty chemicals market volumes rose 1.4 percent in May, an improvement from the record 12.5 percent drop in April and declining activity since January. Of the 28 specialty chemical…

Clariant Catalysts expanding high-throughput research center in Calif.

Clariant Catalysts (Munich, Germany; www.clariant.com) is expanding its high-throughput R&D center in Palo Alto, Calif. Thanks to a significant investment, the upgraded facility is fitted with the latest high-throughput equipment, and will be home to an expanded team of technical…

Clariant and Ineratec to commercialize renewable-fuel technologies

Clariant (Muttenz, Switzerland; www.clariant.com) and Ineratec (Karlsruhe, Germany; www.ineratec.de) have entered into a partnership to develop and commercialize novel technologies for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals. Clariant will provide its extensive catalysis expertise and broad portfolio of synthesis…

DOMO Chemicals to close manufacturing line for nylon films

DOMO Chemicals (Leuna, Germany; www.domochemicals.com), a leading producer of high-quality engineering materials for a diverse range of markets, has announced plans to stop and close its third line of biaxally oriented polyamide (BOPA) films from DOMO in Leuna (Germany), effective…

New president of Evonik Corporation named

Bonnie Tully has been named president of Evonik Corporation, effective June 1. As president of Evonik Corporation, Tully is responsible for the North America region, which recorded sales of €3 billion in fiscal 2019. Tully replaces John Rolando, who is…

Altivia acquires KMCO chemical ethoxylation assets

Altivia Oxide Chemicals, LLC, an affiliate of ALTIVIA Petrochemicals (Houston; www.altivia.com), today announced that it has acquired KMCO (Crosby, Tex.; www.kmcollc.com) and its associated chemical ethoxylation manufacturing assets in Crosby, Texas. The facilities, located on 160 acres near Houston, include…

Accelerating the WFH trend

The necessity to stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic has thrust many into working from home (WFH) and setting up workplaces in dining rooms, living rooms, basements or anywhere they could. The new at-home workforce quickly became familiar with…