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Latest News from IAL and the Global Chemicals Industry
Stay informed regarding IAL's latest publications and industry news covering the markets for Polyurethanes, Flavours & Fragrances and Thermal Insulation.


Covestro has announced plans to expand its MDI production capacity in China and also undertaking a feasibility assessment for a potential project in the UAE.
Covestro plans to invest in new world-scale MDI train in China and starts UAE feasibility study
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47 minutes ago1 min read


Edlong Invests $10 Million to Expand Dairy Taste Technology Capabilities with New Operations Center
Edlong Corporation, a global leader in dairy taste technologies, has announced a $10 million investment initiative to strengthen its innovation capabilities and expand its corporate campus in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
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49 minutes ago1 min read


ROCKWOOL Acquires ScanArc Plasma Technologies to Accelerate Sustainable Melting and Industrial Decarbonization
ROCKWOOL has announced the acquisition of Swedish technology company ScanArc Plasma Technologies, marking a significant step in advancing sustainable melting technologies and accelerating the decarbonization of its global manufacturing operations.
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50 minutes ago1 min read


European Commission Launches Anti-Dumping Investigation into Chinese Polyether Polyols Imports
The European Commission has officially launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports of certain polyether polyols originating from China following a complaint filed by leading European producers, including BASF, Covestro, PCC Rokita, Shell, and Chimcomplex.
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52 minutes ago2 min read


Custom Flavors Opens New Concord, North Carolina Facility to Expand Flavor Manufacturing and Innovation
Custom Flavors has officially celebrated the grand opening of its new manufacturing facility in Concord, North Carolina, marking a significant milestone in the company's strategic expansion across the United States.
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53 minutes ago2 min read


Amcor and Kelpi Collaborate to Develop Advanced Barrier Materials for Fiber Packaging
Amcor, a global leader in responsible packaging solutions, has announced a collaboration with U.K.-based startup Kelpi to develop and evaluate next-generation coating technologies aimed at improving the performance and sustainability of packaging materials.
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20 hours ago2 min read


Consolidation in the Global Flavours and Fragrances Industry: How Acquisitions Are Driving Strategic Growth
The global flavours and fragrances (F&F) industry is entering a new phase of consolidation, with leading manufacturers increasingly leveraging acquisitions to strengthen product portfolios, expand technological capabilities and secure access to high‑growth markets. While the sector remains fragmented, a small group of multinational companies including Givaudan, dsm‑firmenich, International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), Symrise and MANE collectively generate more than half of gl
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20 hours ago3 min read


Evonik Advances Polyurethane Foam Recycling with New Circular Economy Technology
Evonik Industries has announced a major step forward in polyurethane (PU) recycling with the development of an innovative chemical recycling technology at its Hanau site in Germany.
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2 days ago1 min read


The European Commission has imposed anti-dumping duties on BDO imports from three countries.
On 24 June 2026, the European Commission announced new definitive anti-dumping measures on imports of 1,4-Butanediol (BDO) originating from China, Saudi Arabia and the United States. The duties, introduced following a detailed investigation, have been set at significant levels. Imports from China will face tariffs ranging from 105.6% to 113.7%, while Saudi Arabian products will be subject to a 52.4% levy. Imports from the United States will incur duties between 135.7% and 142
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2 days ago1 min read


L’Oréal is set to acquire a majority ownership in Innovist, a prominent Indian personal care company known for its digital-first portfolio of brands.
In June 2026, L’Oréal, the global leader in beauty, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Innovist, a prominent house of personal care brands in India. This strategic development represents a significant milestone in L’Oréal’s expansion within India’s rapidly growing beauty market, while also strengthening its portfolio with locally developed brands tailored to Indian consumers. Established in 2019, Innovist has become one of India’s f
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2 days ago1 min read


BASF Introduced New Citrus Fragrance Ingredient
ASF Aroma Ingredients has introduced Micadelva™, a new citrus fragrance ingredient designed as a non-allergenic alternative to orange terpenes.
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2 days ago1 min read


Polyurethanes Chemicals and Products in Asia Pacific (APAC) - 14th Edition
Publication: June 2026 IAL Consultants has updated its in-depth market report on Polyurethane Chemicals and Products in APAC. The data are also available in database format for subscribers, enabling the manipulation and output of data. Geographical coverage • Australia • Bangladesh • Pakistan • Philippines • China • Singapore • India • Indonesia • South Korea • Sri Lanka • Japan • Taiwan • Malaysia • Thailand • New Zealand • Vietnam • Rest of Asia Raw Material Coverage • Acry
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3 days ago2 min read


Arkema successfully launches its 15% PVDF production capacity expansion in North America
Arkema has successfully commenced operations at its expanded PVDF production facility in North America, increasing capacity by 15%.
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4 days ago2 min read


Dow Strengthens Specialty Silicones Business with Expanded Product and Innovation Capabilities
Dow has announced a series of targeted investments worth approximately USD 100 million, to be completed by the end of 2027, to expand its global speciality silicones manufacturing and innovation capabilities.
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4 days ago2 min read


Iberchem Opens Guangzhou Center to Support China-Asia Growth
Iberchem has inaugurated its new facility in Guangzhou’s Zengcheng District, marking a major step forward in its expansion strategy in China. The new 30,000 sqm facility in Guangzhou’s Zengcheng District, equipped with advanced technologies, was designed to support rising regional demand and increasingly sophisticated fragrance expectations of the market. The new site comprises five buildings, principally for fragrances, and brings together expanded R&D laboratories, offices,
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4 days ago2 min read


Celanese and Siegwerk Partner on Bio-Based Ethyl Acetate Ink Solutions
Celanese has partnered with Siegwerk to enhance sustainability in the printing ink value chain by supplying bio-based ethyl acetate.
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7 days ago1 min read


Flexible Polyurethane Foam in Everyday Life: Applications, Demand Drivers, Market Impact and Output
Flexible polyurethane foam is a lightweight, highly elastic material made from the reaction of polyols and isocyanates. Its open-cell structure allows for easy compression and recovery, providing excellent cushioning and comfort. This material is commonly used in everyday products such as mattresses, sofas, automobile seating, carpet underlays, packaging, and medical supports. Its popularity stems from its softness, durability, resilience, and the ability to engineer it in a
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7 days ago4 min read


EU Approves Landmark Circularity Rules for a More Sustainable Automotive Industry
The European Parliament has given final approval to a comprehensive new regulation. This regulation aims to transform the automotive sector into a more circular and sustainable industry.
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Jun 241 min read


Holcim Completes Acquisition of Xella
Holcim has completed the acquisition of Xella, a leading supplier of walling solutions in Europe, strengthening its position in the region's growing construction market. Xella is projected to generate net sales of approximately EUR 1 billion in 2026, making it a strategically significant addition to Holcim's building solutions portfolio. The acquisition expands Holcim's offering across both new construction and energy-efficient renovation markets through Xella's established b
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Jun 232 min read


Nukoko's Innovative Cocoa-Free Chocolate Alternative
Nukoko's Innovative Cocoa-Free Chocolate Alternative
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Jun 232 min read


ADM expands its Hungary customer creation and innovation center to support beverage development in Eastern Europe
ADM expands its Hungary customer creation and innovation center to support beverage development in Eastern Europe
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Jun 231 min read


IFF Launches First-of-its-kind Stabilizer System in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
IFF announced the launch of Danisco Grindsted DuoGel, a stabiliser system that is specifically designed to bridge the texture gap between traditional and plant-based gummies in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). “The confectionery market across EMEA is growing quickly and has already shifted toward plant-based, but texture has remained a barrier,” said Elisa Vimercati, vice president of systems and locust bean gum for IFF Food Ingredients. “With Grindsted DuoGel, we’
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Jun 221 min read


Wacoal and BASF Extend ‘Melooop’ Technology into Automotive Interiors with TPU-Based Armrest Concept
Wacoal and BASF have expanded their long-standing collaboration beyond apparel applications by introducing an innovative automotive interior armrest concept based on Wacoal’s proprietary ‘Melooop’ technology and BASF’s Elastollan® thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
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Jun 221 min read


Covestro Advances Bio-Based Aniline Technology with Launch of EU-Funded Initiative
Covestro has launched Bio4PURConti (Bio-Based Continuous Production for Sustainable Polyurethane Industry), acting as the project coordinator for this pioneering EU-funded initiative.
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Jun 221 min read
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