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ACC Chemical Industry Outlook predicts slower growth amid headwinds

U.S. chemical production expanded at a slower pace in 2019 due to trade challenges and slower growth in several key end-use markets for chemistry, according to the American Chemistry Council's (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) Year-End 2019 Chemical Industry Situation and…

Standard Lithium to commission Li-extraction demonstration plant

Standard Lithium Ltd. (Vancouver, B.C.; www.standardlithium.com), a technology and lithium development company, today announced the successful installation of the company’s industrial-scale Direct Lithium Extraction Demonstration Plant at Lanxess’ South Plant facility in southern Arkansas.  Standard Lithium’s project team has also…

Chemical Activity Barometer is stable in November, ACC says

The Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB) a leading economic indicator created by the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com), was stable (0.0 percent change) in November on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis following a 0.3 percent decline in October.…

U.S. specialty chemical markets soft at Q4 start, ACC says

The American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) reported that U.S. specialty chemicals market volumes started the fourth quarter on a mixed note, with no change in October. Of the 28 specialty chemical segments ACC monitors, 14 expanded in October,…

ACC announces initial TSCA risk-evaluation consortia

The American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) today announced the formation of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Risk Evaluation Consortia to inform the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) risk evaluation of five chemicals: 1,3-butadiene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene (p-DCB), formaldehyde, phthalic anhydride, and…

U.S. chemical production up in October, but growth slows, ACC says

According to the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com), the U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) edged higher by 0.2 percent in October, following gains of 0.5 percent in September and 0.2 percent in August. During October, chemical…

Shell announces chemicals produced from plastic waste

Today Shell (The Hague, the Netherlands; www.shell.com) announced it has successfully made high-end chemicals using a liquid feedstock made from plastic waste. The technique, known as pyrolysis, is considered a breakthrough for hard-to-recycle plastics and advances Shell’s ambition to use…

2019 CEPCI Updates: September (prelim.) and August (final)

The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI; the most recent available) for September 2019 increased from the previous month’s value by 0.7, reversing a trend of declining values this year. Three of the four major subindices —…

MOL Group acquires German compounder Aurora

Following satisfaction of customary transaction approvals, MOL Group (Budapest, Hungary; www.molgroup.info) announced that effective 31 October 2019, it has acquired 100% shareholding in Aurora, a German plastic compounder company. As a result of the acquisition, MOL Group is strengthening its…

Total revises industry association memberships with strategy report

In its fourth "Integrating Climate Into Our Strategy" report, released today, Total (Paris, France; www.total.com) reviews the 30 most significant industry associations of which it is a member to verify that their stances on climate issues are aligned with the…