Page 23 - Chemicals

Global enzymes market to reach $7.2 billion in 2020: Report

While demand for enzymes used in research, biotech and diagnostics is like to post strong gains, the fastest growth will be seen for biocatalysts, particularly used in pharma, says Freedonia report

Evonik becomes first firm to produce biosurfactants on industrial scale

The company uses biotech methods to produce surfactants - key components of modern shampoos, shower gels, and household cleansers - targeted at home and personal care market

Wacker to expand silicone sealants and specialty silicones capacity in South Korea

The new production site for silicone sealants, encapsulants, thermal interface materials and liquid silicone rubber is expected to go on-stream in the first quarter of 2018

Covestro uses CO2 to make plastics on industrial scale

The company has opened a plant in Dormagen (Germany) that uses carbon dioxide (CO2) as a raw material instead of crude oil to produce polyols, which are used in polyurethane foam

Lanxess India wins the TRILA award for rubber chemicals

The award recognises the robust growth registered by the business line Anti-Oxidants & Accelerators (AXX) under Advanced Industrial Intermediates (AII) business unit (BU)

Sanmar selects Jacobs to build PVC plant in Egypt

Jacobs to provide detailed engineering and procurement assistance services to TCI Sanmar Chemical for expanding the PVC capacity from 200,000 TPA to 400,000 TPA in Egypt

Reliance-IIP jointly develop technology for benzene extraction from FCC light naphtha

Using this technology, refiners can reduce the benzene content in their gasoline to meet regulatory requirements

Asian Paints revises plans for proposed Vizag plant

The company has decided to revise its plans of setting up of the plant with a maximum capacity of 500,000 kiloliters per annum

IOCL, OIL and Bharat PetroResources buys 24% stake in Russian oilfield

Three Indian firms have acquired 24% stake in JSC Vankorneft, in which ONGC Videsh already has 15% stake and that owns Vankor field, from Russia's Rosneft

Tata Chemicals suspends di-ammonium phosphate production at Haldia

The company will continue to supply di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) to its customer from the inventory in hand and imports

BASF acquire Albemarle's surface treatment business Chemetall for 3.2 bn

The acquisition of Chemetall will significantly enhance BASF Coatings' position as a complete solutions provider to global customers

Veolia buys Chemours' sulfur products business for $ 325 mn

Sulfur products business, with approximately $250 million in revenue, offers sulfuric acid products and services to a range of industries in North America

DCM Shriram increases chlor alkali capacity by 420 tonnes

The company recently commissioned 420 TPD of additional chlor alkali capacity at its Bharuch (Gujarat) site

NTPC and Coal India form JV Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayn Ltd

The JV will the revive Gorakhpur and Sindri plants of Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd by setting up ammonia urea plants at both the sites

BASF begins work on Euro 140 mn automotive coatings plant in Shanghai

In addition to the new coating plant, the company also operates a production facility for resins and electrocoat at the same location

Manoj Mishra takes charge as RCF's CMD

The CMD of National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) has been given the additional responsibility as R G Rajan has relinquished the post of RCF CMD

Shell Lubricants India appoints Mansi Tripathy as MD

Tripathy, who will resume charge from August 1, 2016, would succeed Nitin Prasad, who moves on to take over as the chairman of Shell Companies in India

Dutch firm Stahl opens dyes testing center in Maharashtra

The center, located at Thane, will focus on the testing and development of existing and new dyestuffs, which are used in leather industry

Unipetrol acquires petrochemical maker Spolana

Spolana is a major consumer of ethylene, ammonia and sulphur from Unipetrol RPA

Clariant launches heat transfer fluids for HVAC industry

The company expects the market for these products to flourish as the demand for efficient and safe manufacturing solutions grows in India