Ascend to build HMD plant in China’s Jiangsu province

Ascend HMD plant signing ceremony.
On the left: Dr. Kevin Wu, Ascend’s managing director and SVP for Asia.
On the right is Mr. Zhao Houfeng, director of Xuwei New Area Management Committee.
(Photo: Ascend Performance Materials, APMPR067)Ascend Performance Materials announced today it signed an investment agreement to construct a new hexamethylene diamine and specialty chemicals plant in Lianyungang, China in the Xuwei New Area Park. The new plant will be Ascend’s first chemical production facility and the largest investment the company has made outside of the United States.

Solvay to Collaborate with Trillium on Bio-Based Acrylonitrile for Carbon Fiber Applications

Solvay to Collaborate with Trillium on Bio-Based Acrylonitrile for Carbon Fiber Applications. 
(Photo: Solvay, PR018)Solvay and Trillium Renewable Chemicals have signed a letter of intent to develop the supply chain for bio-based acrylonitrile (bio-ACN). Trillium will supply Solvay with bio-ACN from Trillium’s planned commercial asset, and Solvay will evaluate bio-ACN for carbon fiber manufacturing as part of its long-term commitment to developing sustainable solutions from bio-based or recycled sources. The aim of this partnership is to produce carbon fiber for use in various applications such as aerospace, automotive, energy, and consumer goods.

Calvin Lakhan elected to SGP Board of Directors

Calvin Lakhan elected to SGP Board of Directors.The Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP), the leading authority in sustainable printing certifications, announced the election of Calvin Lakhan, Ph.D. of the Consortium for Waste Circularity (CWC) to its Board of Directors.

Malvern Panalytical expands pharmaceutical drug development solutions through acquisition of Creoptix

Malvern PanalyticalMalvern Panalytical, a company providing advanced analysis and services solutions for the pharma drug product development, as well as services and solutions for other industries, has today announced its acquisition of Creoptix AG, a specialist bioanalysis sensor company. The acquisition forms a critical part of Malvern Panalytical’s strategy to expand its capabilities in support of drug discovery.

Taiwanese thermoformer of PP food packaging partners with Milliken to find a clear way forward

Taiwanese thermoformer of PP food packaging partners with Milliken to find a clear way forward. 
(Photo © 2021 South Plastic, all rights reserved, MKPR265
South Plastic Industry Co. Ltd., a leading Asian manufacturer of thermoformed plastic food packaging, has been striving for years to develop a clear, anti-fogging polypropylene (PP) lid for its microwaveable food packaging. The aim has been to replace oriented polystyrene (OPS) in this key application, but it wasn’t easy to find a way to get the highly recyclable PP to meet all the necessary performance requirements while also retaining the clarity and non-yellowing aesthetics that are vital to appealing to consumers on the grocery store shelves. Until now.

Perstorp further strengthens its specialty position within resins and coatings through acquisition of Di-Methylolpropionic Acid business from GEO

Perstorp further strengthens its specialty position within resins and coatings through acquisition of Di-Methylolpropionic Acid business from GEO. 
(Photo: Perstorp)Perstorp has acquired GEO’s Di-Methylolpropionic Acid [DMPA®] business, further emphasizing its commitment as the sustainable specialty solution provider within the resins and coatings segment.

Clariant’s StyroMax® UL3 catalyst demonstrates outstanding productivity at Risun’s new styrene monomer plant in China

Clariant’s highly active and selective StyroMax UL3 styrene production catalyst for ultra-low steam-to-oil ratio conditions.Clariant announced today that its StyroMax UL3 catalyst is demonstrating successful results at Risun’s new styrene monomer plant located in Tangshan, China. After a smooth and stable catalyst start-up in October 2020, the plant is reporting very profitable operation with excellent production output. The project is a cooperation between Clariant Catalysts and engineering company Changzhou Ruihua Chemical Engineering Technology Co. Ltd (Ruihua Technology). Through Ruihua’s technology and Clariant’s catalyst, the Risun plant has been able to achieve productivity rates exceeding 120% of the new plant’s nominal design capacity — which is also the highest among all Ruihua process plants in China.

Birdley James elected to SGP Board of Directors

Birdley James elected to SGP Board of Directors.The Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP), the leading authority in sustainable printing certifications, announced the election of Birdley James of Miller Zell to its Board of Directors.