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Polymers

Saudi Aramco, Dow see “significant progress” on chemical venture

The establishment of Sadara Chemical Company, a planned joint venture under formation between Dow Chemical and the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco), is making significant progress following the authorization by both companies in late July, officials from Dow said on Tuesday.

MAN Diesel to supply compressors for China plant

MAN Diesel & Turbo has secured an order for 24 compressor units for an integrated chemical complex in Chongqing, China, the company said on Wednesday. The order size is about €50 million.

PolyOne to buy specialty additives firm ColorMatrix

US-based specialty polymers firm PolyOne has agreed to acquire ColorMatrix, a leading global innovator in liquid colorants, additives and fluoropolymers, in a deal worth $486 million.

Braskem closes on deal for Dow polypropylene unit

Dow Chemical said on Friday that it closed on the $340 million sale of its global polypropylene (PP) business to Brazil-based Braskem. In addition to the transaction, which was first announced in July, the two companies said they would continue to evaluate potential future collaborations.

Amyris, Michelin to develop renewable isoprene

US renewable chemicals and fuels firm Amyris has agreed to work with tire company Michelin on the development and commercialization of renewable isoprene, the chemical building block in rubber tires and other products that use synthetic and natural rubbers.

Celanese opens German engineered polymer plant

US-based specialty chemicals firm Celanese has opened its polyoxymethylene (POM) production facility in Frankfurt Hoechst Industrial Park in Germany. With a nameplate capacity of 140,000 tpy, Celanese’s new POM plant will be the world’s largest and strengthens the company’s Ticona engineering polymers business, including its global operations and advanced technical capabilities, the company said.

Cabot JV opens black masterbatch plant in China

Cabot has opened its new masterbatch plant in Tianjin, China, the specialty chemicals producer said on Monday. Construction of the $20 million black masterbatch project began in February 2011.

Neste Oil to sell Belgium polyalphaolefin plant to Chevron Phillips Chemical

Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem) has agreed to acquire a polyalphaolefin (PAO) plant located in Beringen, Belgium, from Neste Oil.

Huntsman plots expansion for US epoxy resins

US-based chemicals major Huntsman has begun initial plans to expand its epoxy resins product lines by launching a multi-million dollar engineering study at its facility in McIntosh, Alabama.

Chevron Phillips, Sumitomo venture to shut down Texas polypropylene unit

Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem) has reached an agreement with partner Sumitomo Chemical Co. to permanently shut down polypropylene assets jointly owned by the Phillips Sumika Polypropylene Co. (PSPC) venture in Pasadena, Texas.