Page 131 - Chemicals

Engaging with detractors, the best means to minimise brand damage

Some of the biggest companies in the world have suffered intense public criticism in recent years in part because they have not been open to talking to their critics

Yara to acquire 60% stake in Brazil's Galvani for $ 318 million

Galvani is engaged in phosphate mining, SSP production and distribution of fertilisers

Government plans to revive sick fertiliser plants

For this purpose, Ananth Kumar, Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers, holds a meeting to discuss issues relating to revival of sick units of FCIL and HFCL

Gulf Oil to invest Rs 120-cr to set up lubricant plant in Chennai

The company also plans to increase the capacity of its existing plant at Silvassa in Dadra and Nager Haveli from 75,000 KL to 90,000 KL

Global specialty silicas market to reach $6.9 bn

Continued economic advances in developing countries such as China and India will bolster gains in demand for specialty silicas, says a Freedonia Group report

Oxo-biodegradable plastic offering an eco-friendly alternative

By adding specialty ingredient along with basic polymer, plastic products can be made biodegradable, thus offering a safe and cost-effective solution to plastics waste that escapes into the environmen

Borealis to divest Biosuper business in France to Eliard SPCP

Biosuper brand and the related production equipment will be transferred to the new owner, Eliard SPCP

GSFC begins neem-coated urea production

This type of urea prevents the misuse of urea for industrial purpose down the line as neem-coated urea creates foam and odour, claims the company

Arkema inks propylene supply pact with Enterprise Products in the US

This contract will account for a significant part of Arkema's propylene feedstock, a key raw material for acrylics, in the US

Solvay sells Eco Services business unit to CCMP Capital

The transaction terms correspond to an enterprise value of $ 890 million

AkzoNobel and Solazyme expand partnership for algal oils

Expansion includes joint product development and principal terms of a multi-year supply agreement targeting annual supply of up to 10,000 MT of algal oil for surfactant production

Anti-dumping duty on PTA import creates rift between producers and polyester companies

While PTA producers welcome the move, PTA users - such as polyester companies - feel it will hurt the industry as manufacturing cost will go up

Dow Corning opens application development centre in Mumbai

The centre will allow Dow Corning to offer customised silicon-based solutions in key industries like automotive, beauty and personal care, construction, household care, packaging and textile

BASF invests Euro 90 mn to expand innovation centre in Shanghai

The move to strengthen innovation capabilities of the company to support growth industries in Asia Pacific

Arkema commissions methyl acrylate plant in Texas

This investment represents the last phase of a $110 million investment plan intended to strengthen Arkema's rankings in the US acrylics market

AkzoNobel joins hand with SERIS for solar cell research

Both will explore low-cost methods to produce high-efficiency silicon wafer solar cells

"India should take a lead in construction chemicals research"

In this interview, A J Charles and M A Waheed, the Directors and Founders of Perma Construction Aids, explain the importance of construction chemicals for India, which is all set to witness a boom in

Compressor surge control: Mitigating risk with simulation software

By adopting dynamic simulation software, engineers can eliminate the risk of compressor failure with improved design workflow and optimised performance

Global LED materials market to reach $11.71 bn in 2018

LED fixtures light up the chemical materials market bringing new manufacturing opportunities, finds Frost & Sullivan

Only six PSU fertiliser plants in profit, 7 under losses: Nihal Chand

As many as ten fertiliser plants, out of 23 operated by state-run companies, are closed