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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…

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…

CAB fell in May, ACC says

The Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB) a leading economic indicator created by the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.), fell 5.4 percent in May on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis following a 5.4 percent decline in April. On a year-over-year…

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

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

U.S. chemical production edged lower in April, ACC says

According to the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.), the U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) tumbled 3.1 percent in April following a 1.0 percent decline in March and a 0.4 percent decline in February. During April, chemical output…