The Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB), a leading economic indicator created by the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com), posted a strong gain in February of 0.4 percent, following a similar 0.4 percent gain in January. This follows a steady…
The American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) reported that U.S. specialty chemicals market volumes rose 0.2 percent in January. This follows a downwardly revised 0.3 percent gain in December. Volumes have generally been moving up since May. All changes…
The Landa Group (Rehovot, Israel; www.landanano.com) and Altana AG (Wesel, Germany; www.altana.com) today announced that Altana has acquired Landa's Metallography technology. First unveiled by Landa at the Drupa printing exhibition in June, 2016, this novel technology for producing metallized graphics…
On January 31, Nidec Corporation completed the acquisition of Leroy-Somer and Control Techniques, Emerson Electric’s motors, drives and electric power generation businesses. The acquisitions broaden Nidec’s motor offering and product lineup, including variable speed drives and a complete range of…
KBR, Inc. (Houston; www.kbr.com) has been awarded a contract by Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd (MCF) for revamping its ammonia plant at Panambur, Mangalore in India. Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide its ammonia technology to enhance…
POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels, LLC (Sioux Falls, S. Dak.; www.poetdsm.com), a 50/50 joint venture between Royal DSM and POET, LLC, will build an onsite enzyme-manufacturing (OSM) facility in Emmetsburg, Iowa, pending state and local approvals. The facility will be integrated into…
TPC Group Inc. (Houston; www.tpcgrp.com) announced the appointment of Bart de Jong as senior vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) of the company. In this role, Mr. de Jong will oversee the finance, accounting and investor relations functions, in…
Royal DSM (Heerlen, the Netherlands; www.dsm.com) announced that it has acquired the technology and other assets of Suzhou SunShine New Materials Technology Co. — the manufacturer of a novel, high-performance solar photovoltaic (PV) backsheet based on co-extrusion technology. In 2016,…
The preliminary value for the December CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI; the most recent available) was higher than the previous month’s value by a signficant margin for the second consecutive month. The jump was due to a rise in the…
ExxonMobil Corp. (Irving, Tex.; www.exxonmobil.com) announced the expansion of its Singapore refinery to support the production of the company’s EHC Group II base stocks, which will strengthen the global supply of these products and enhance the Singapore facility’s competitiveness. Construction…