Polyurethane News

Related Plastics, Polymers, and Elastomers Industry News

• February 2024: Evonik Industries AG launched its INFINAM FR 4100 L 3D printing resin, designed for use with digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technology. This resin is used to manufacture touch, pliable, and flame-retardant parts.
• February 2024: Solvay spun off its specialty business to an independent company, Syensqo. All 3D printing-related activities of Solvay are projected to be integrated into and ultimately become Syensqo businesses.
• October 2023: Evonik Industries AG introduced a new carbon fiber reinforced PEEK filament that can be processed in common extrusion-based 3D printing technologies, such as fused filament fabrication (FFF), and is suitable for use in long-term 3D-printed medical implants.
• June 2023: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation announced its distribution collaboration with FormFutura to make the company an official distribution partner for Mitsubishi Chemical’s portfolio of 3D printing filaments.

• January 2023: UBE Corporation announced the expansion of its polyimide hollow fiber production facilities at its UBE Chemical Factory and gas separation membrane module production facilities at its Sakai Factory to meet the rapidly increasing demand for gas separation chambers, especially CO2 separation membranes. The two new facilities, which will increase the production capacity by around 1.8 times, are planned to go into operation in the first half of FY 2025.
• January 2022: Toray Industries Inc. developed a polymeric separation membrane module for selective or efficient hydrogen removal from mixtures of gases that contain hydrogen. The CO2 emissions of hydrogen treatment processes and the number of modules needed are more than halved with this new module.

• January 2024: Automotive Glass Experts (AGE) announced a strategic supplier agreement with Johnson Window Films to enhance its offerings and provide a comprehensive range of window film applications as a complementary service in its workstations.
• August 2023: AP Corporation gained one of the only 3M window film dealers in the greater Miami area by acquiring window tinting company Solar Tint Inc. to serve businesses, homeowners, and vehicle owners from three locations in Maryland, North Carolina, and Florida.
• February 2023: Eastman Chemical Company acquired Ai-Red Technology (Dalian) Co. Ltd, a manufacturer and supplier of paint protection and window film for auto and architectural markets in Asia-Pacific. This acquisition demonstrates Eastman's commitment to driving growth in performance films and the paint protection and window film markets. The investment further strengthens the company's ability to deliver consistent, superior value as a specialty materials company and expands the service level in China and Asia-Pacific. This site will align with Eastman's performance film operations and its high standard of quality supply into the market.

• May 2023: Thai Acrylic Fibre Co. Ltd, part of Aditya Birla Group, launched a new variant of Regel fiber with 75% recycled content.
• January 2023: Romania's RIFIL Group introduced a new range of environment-friendly yarns branded as Infinity. These yarns are made from Thai Acrylic Fibre's recycled acrylic fiber, Regel.

• September 2023: BEWI made a significant announcement regarding its long-term strategic collaboration with the Karl Bachl Group for the supply of EPS (expanded polystyrene) raw materials, including recycled EPS. This partnership marks a significant development for both companies, signifying a shared commitment to sustainability and the pursuit of a circular economy.
• November 2022: BEWI completed the acquisition of EPS producer Jackon. The acquisition was previously expected to conclude by the end of the third quarter of 2022, following the completion of divestments. EPS is a rigid form of polystyrene (PS) used in insulation foams for the construction industry as well as for packaging.
• September 2022: Sundolitt Ltd, the UK division of Sunde AS, acquired FoamExtra Ltd, based in Glasgow. Sunde AS is one of the leading European manufacturers in the production and conversion of EPS and XPS-based products.

• August 2022: Kumho Petrochemical will be KRW6,000 billion (~USD 5.10 billion) into existing and new businesses in the next five years. As part of the initiative, Kumho will invest KRW 3,300 billion (~USD 2.81 billion) in its core business areas, which include nitrile butadiene latex (NB latex) production and styrene solution butadiene rubber (SSBR) manufacturing.

• April 2023: The China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation subsidiary Hainan Baling Chemical New Material Co. Ltd invested RMB 1.92 billion (USD 279.74 million) in the Hainan Baling project and initiated the production of its styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBC) project in Hainan, China. The project's SBC plant produces 170,000 tons of SBS and SEBS products annually, including 120,000 tons of SBS products and 50,000 SEBS products.
• August 2022: Kraton announced the expansion of the production capacity of styrene block copolymers at a manufacturing facility in Mailiao, Taiwan. This strategic move was expected to increase the capacity of the facility by 30% for the styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene product range.

• November 2022: ExxonMobil and PT Indomobil Prima Energi (IPE) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the potential for the large-scale implementation of advanced plastic recycling technology in Indonesia.
• September 2022: Toyobo announced an investment of USD 72 million to open a new polyester film packaging facility at Pt. Trias Toyobo Astria (TTA) in Indonesia. Through the expansion, the company has strengthened its market presence.

• The recent developments pertaining to the major players in the market are being covered in the complete study.

• June 2023: Carpenter Co. acquired the Engineered Foams Division of Recticel NV. This acquisition helped produce the world’s largest vertically incorporated manufacturer of polyurethane foams and specialty polymer products. Moreover, this acquisition is expected to bring innovations in polyurethane foam through the industry’s leading materials, such as Serene Foam and Hybrid TheraGel Memory Foam.
• July 2022: DIC Corporation acquired a Chinese coating resin manufacturer named Guangdong TOD New Material Co. Ltd. This acquisition supported DIC Corporation in expanding its coating resins capacity for different resins, including acrylic, alkyd, polyester, urethane, and epoxy, in the Asian market.