Plant Watch
Cariflex opens $355-million latex plant in Singapore
May 15, 2025 — Cariflex Pte. Ltd. (Singapore; www.cariflex.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of DL Chemical Co., Ltd. (DL Chemical), inaugurated its new polyisoprene latex plant at Jurong Island, Singapore. With an investment of $355 million, the plant is the largest of its kind globally.
Wacker begins production of hybrid polymers in Germany
May 15, 2025 — Wacker Chemie AG (Munich, Germany; www.wacker.com) has commenced production of hybrid polymers at a new plant at its Nünchritz site in Germany. Hybrid polymers serve as binders for adhesives and sealants used in construction and building materials and waterproofing membranes.
Syensqo to expand PPS compounding capacity in the U.S.
May 15, 2025 — Syensqo S.A. (Brussels, Belgium; www.syensqo.com) announced a capital investment to expand polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) compounding capability at its Augusta, Georgia manufacturing site. Syensqo also produces a number of other resins at the Augusta site, including polyphthalamide (PPA) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and plans were announced in 2024 to construct a large-scale polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) plant in Augusta.
Umicore to expand catalyst manufacturing site in Oklahoma
May 13, 2025 — Umicore N.V. (Brussels, Belgium; www.umicore.com) will expand its production of homogeneous catalysts at its site in Catoosa, Oklahoma. This expansion will secure supplies at multi-ton levels from both Europe and the U.S. to meet long-term partnership agreements with leading companies in the specialty chemicals sector. The production expansion consists of adding a facility to the existing Catoosa plant, with construction starting in 2025 and production starting in early 2027.
PPG to build new coatings and sealants plant in North Carolina
May 12, 2025 — PPG (Pittsburgh, Pa.; www.ppg.com) will invest $380 million in a new aerospace coatings and sealants manufacturing facility in Shelby, N.C. Construction on the 62-acre site, which will initially include manufacturing and warehousing units, is set to commence in October 2025 and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027. The new plant, combined with nearby transport links, will improve supply-chain and shipping logistics.
DOMO Chemicals expands compounding capacities in India
May 12, 2025 — DOMO Chemicals (Leuna, Germany; www.domochemicals.com) has officially ramped up its compounding operations in Mumbai, India. The expanded compounding site will produce engineered plastics based on nylon and other resins, designed for applications such as electronic connectors, smart devices and automotive components.
MSSA doubles production capacity for sodium methylate in La Rochelle, France
May 7, 2025 — MSSA S.A.S. (Saint Marcel, France; www.metauxspeciaux.fr), a subsidiary of the International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG), is expanding its sodium methylate production unit in La Rochelle, France. The strategic investment will double MSSA’s annual production capacity for sodium methylate from 20,000 to 40,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr). The new production line will use the same mercury-free, sodium-metal-based production process as the existing line. The new production line is expected to be operational by mid-2026.
Linde to expand supply of industrial gases to Samsung in South Korea
May 2, 2025 — Linde plc (Guildford, U.K.; www.linde.com) will increase its supply of ultra-high-purity gases to a semiconductor manufacturing complex operated by Samsung Corp. (Seoul, South Korea; www.samsung.com) in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. Linde will build, own and operate an eighth on-site air-separation unit to supply nitrogen, oxygen and argon. Linde will also supply Samsung with hydrogen from its existing onsite hydrogen production facilities. Supply is expected to start up in mid-2026.
Mergers & Acquisitions
CPChem to sell interest in Singapore joint venture
May 12, 2025 — Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LLC (CPChem; The Woodlands, Tex.; www.cphem.com) announced that the shareholders of Chevron Phillips Singapore Chemicals (CPSC) have agreed to sell 100% of their shares to Aster Chemicals and Energy, a joint venture (JV) of Chandra Asri Group (Jakarta, Indonesia; www.chandra-asri.com) and Glencore Ltd. (Baar, Switzerland; www.glencore.com). CPSC operates a high-density polyethylene plant on Jurong Island, Singapore with an annual production capacity of 400,000 m.t./yr.
IFF completes divestiture of nitrocellulose business
May 12, 2025 — International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF; New York City, N.Y.; www.iff.com) has completed the divestiture of its nitrocellulose business, including the Walsrode Industrial Park in lower Saxony, Germany, to Czechoslovak Group (CSG). The acquired business manufactures nitrocellulose for the coatings and printing-ink sectors, and had been part of IFF’s Pharma Solutions business unit.
Sumitomo establishes sulfuric-acid storage JV in Thailand
May 12, 2025 — Sumitomo Corp. (Tokyo, Japan; www.sumitomocorp.com) established a joint venture (JV) with tank terminal operator NFC Public Company Ltd. (Bangkok, Thailand) to operate a sulfuric-acid tank-terminal business. Sumitomo oversees Interacid Group, a major sulfuric acid trading company that handles approximately 30% of the world’s marine sulfuric acid trade and is known for both its trading functions and ownership of storage tanks.
Trelleborg acquires silicon rubber manufacturer Sico
May 12, 2025 — Trelleborg Group AB (Trelleborg, Sweden; www.trelleborg.com) finalized the acquisition of Sico Gesellschaft für Siliconverarbeitung mbH and Czech JV company Sico Silicone s.r.o. Trelleborg has been a 50/50 joint venture party in Sico Silicone since 2016. Sico manufactures a range of extruded and molded silicone rubber products, for food and beverage, healthcare, automotive and construction applications. The acquired business’ primary production sites are in Witten, Germany and Velké Porící, Czech Republic.
Synthomer to divest inorganic chemistry business
May 6, 2025 — Synthomer Plc (London, U.K.; www.synthomer.com) announced an agreement to divest William Blythe Ltd., its inorganic chemistry business, to its management team alongside H2 Equity Partners, for consideration of£30 million. William Blythe focuses on inorganic derivatives of elements, such as tin, iodine, copper, zinc and tungsten, for applications in many markets, including life sciences, performance coatings, polymers, electronics, catalysts and renewable energy.
Celanese to divest Micromax ink and paste business
May 6, 2025 — Celanese Corp. (Irving, Tex.; www.celanese.com) announced its intent to divest its Micromax portfolio of products. Micromax is a global supplier of advanced electronic inks and pastes and is expected to generate over $300 million in 2025 revenue.
Dow finalizes sale of soil fumigation product line
May 2, 2025 — Dow, Inc. (Midland, Mich.; www.dow.com) announced the completion of the sale of Telone, a soil fumigation product line to TriCal Soil Solutions, Inc. The transaction value is $121 million.
Roquette completes acquisition of IFF Pharma Solutions
May 2, 2025 — Roquette (Lestrem, France; www.roquette.com) completed its acquisition of the Pharma Solutions business of IFF. This acquisition, along with the 2023 acquisition of Qualicaps, enhances Roquette’s high-value drug-delivery portfolio.