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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.


Pflaumer Brothers Introduces TERACURE® MCR-2, an MDI-Based Polyisocyanate Pre-Polymer for Corrosion-Resistant Polyurethane Primers
Pflaumer Brothers announces the introduction of TERACURE® MCR-2, an aromatic polyisocyanate pre-polymer based on diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), engineered for use in moisture-cured and two-component polyurethane systems requiring exceptional corrosion resistance and long-term durability.
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Apr 122 min read


BASF and Sevnce Robotics sign an MoU to enhance the smart transformation of the chemical industry
BASF and Sevnce Robotics sign an MoU to enhance the smart transformation of the chemical industry
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Apr 62 min read


Cabot Sanmar to invest $25 million in the expansion of its Mettur manufacturing plant.
Cabot Sanmar to invest $25 million in the expansion of its Mettur manufacturing plant.
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Apr 61 min read


Rising PU Raw Material Prices in Asia-Pacific: Recent Developments
The Asia-Pacific polyurethane market is witnessing increased volatility in raw material prices, primarily driven by supply-side constraints, escalating production costs, and geopolitical uncertainties. In recent months, this pressure has intensified, with manufacturers across the region implementing price hikes. A major factor behind this volatility is China’s rapid capacity expansion. In recent years, China has strengthened its competitive position through significant invest
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Apr 22 min read


Siegwerk to acquire Hi-Tech Inks, strengthening leadership in India’s flexible packaging market
Siegwerk, a global leader in printing inks and coatings for packaging applications, today announced the signing of a definite agreement for the acquisition of Hi-Tech Inks, a prominent Indian producer of flexographic and gravure printing inks.
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Mar 312 min read


A flagship for chemical production: BASF inaugurates world-scale Verbund site in China
BASF today celebrated the official inauguration of its newly built, world-scale Verbund site in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province in southern China. Covering an area of around four square kilometers, it is more than a major BASF project in the chemical growth market of China.
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Mar 313 min read


Huntsman Corporation Inaugurates its Expanded Operations in Hungary
Huntsman Corporation inaugurated its expanded performance products manufacturing facility in Petfurdo, Hungary, with operations having commenced earlier this year. The expansion enhances the company’s global production capacity, offering greater flexibility and advanced technologies for the polyurethane, coatings, metalworking, and electronics sectors.
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Mar 311 min read


Changhua has announced the commencement of commercial production of CO₂-based polyols utilising Econic’s technology.
Changhua Chemical has inaugurated the world’s first commercial-scale production facility for polycarbonate ether (PCE) polyols. a new class of sustainable polyols derived from carbon dioxide. Marketed under the Carnol™ brand, these polyols are based on Econic’s proprietary technology and deliver cost-competitive, high-performance solutions with a carbon footprint approximately 30% lower than that of conventional polyols. The facility, located in Lianyungang, is expected to pr
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Mar 311 min read


Why Polyurethane Insulation Is Key to Net-Zero Buildings
Net-zero buildings are designed to use as little energy as possible, with well-insulated walls, roofs and windows that keep heat in during winter and out during summer. This reduces the need for heating and cooling systems. Any remaining energy needed is supplied by renewable sources. A zero-emission building emits no carbon from fossil fuels and has excellent energy efficiency. Reducing energy demand in buildings is so important in meeting carbon emissions and reducing relia
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Mar 263 min read


BASF has raised its MDI and TDI prices across East Asia
BASF announced that it will increase prices for its Lupranate® MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) and Lupranate® TDI (toluene diisocyanate) by $500 per metric tonne across the East Asia region (excluding mainland China). with immediate effect or where contract terms permitted. This price adjustment has been made to support sustainable business operations, in light of ongoing increases in the costs of raw materials, transport, and energy. Source: BASF
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Mar 251 min read


Wevo Establishes New Production Site in Singapore
Wevo is strengthening its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region by establishing a new production facility in Singapore. The new facility in the Tuas industrial area will serve as a key location to provide customers with polyurethane systems made locally, helping various industries like e-mobility, home appliances, and energy management.
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Mar 242 min read


Henkel Announces New Consumer Brands Center of Research & Development in Trumbull, CT
The Henkel Center of Research & Development, which is now beginning construction, will bring together Henkel’s North America Consumer Brands R&D teams, currently operating across three separate Connecticut locations, into a unified site designed to accelerate collaboration, creativity, career development, and customer centric innovation.
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Mar 182 min read


Transition from Traditional Blowing Agents to Low-GWP Blowing Agents
The transition from CFCs to low global warming potential (low-GWP) blowing agents is transforming the global foam and insulation industry. Blowing agents are chemicals used to create the cellular structure in foam materials such as polyurethane and polystyrene, which are widely used in construction insulation, refrigeration appliances, automotive components and packaging. Traditionally used blowing agents have raised environmental concerns due to their contribution to greenho
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Mar 184 min read


Covestro expands Specialty Films Technical Competence Center in Shanghai to accelerate smart surface innovation
Covestro has expanded its Specialty Films Technical Competence Center (TCC) in Shanghai, further strengthening its ability to support customers across Asia Pacific in applications ranging from smart automotive surfaces to humanoid robots and secure identification documents.
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Mar 172 min read


Philippine Based Researchers Develop Coconut Oil-Based Polyols for Polyurethane Foams
In today's fast-paced industrial landscape, the constant construction of new infrastructure is often considered a testament to progress. However, one commonly used material, polyurethane (PU), is manufactured from petrochemical-based polyols and isocyanates, and its production can be energy-intensive with direct environmental impacts. It is in this context that sustainability initiatives are increasingly recognized worldwide as a collective goal, raising demand for competitiv
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Mar 172 min read


Lubrizol and Bjørn Thorsen Expand TPU Distribution Partnership
Lubrizol and Bjørn Thorsen A/S has expanded its distribution partnership for Lubrizol’s industrial thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) resins to Germany and Hungary. Bjørn Thorsen, a well-established distributor of Lubrizol TPU in Nordics, Baltics, UK and Ireland, is now strengthening its distribution portfolio and local presence in key Central European markets.
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Mar 152 min read


Henkel opens new Inspiration Center in Jundiaí
Henkel, a global leader in adhesives, sealants, and coatings, has opened the Inspiration Center Jundiaí. The 5,000-square-meter structure will be the new R&D headquarters for Adhesive Technologies in Latin America, costing around 38 million euros (approximately BRL 232.5 million).
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Mar 122 min read


Azelis and Milliken Strengthen Partnership to Expand Polyurethane Colourant Solutions in India
Global speciality chemicals distributor Azelis has entered into a distribution agreement with Milliken & Company to expand the availability of polyurethane (PU) colourant solutions across India.
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Mar 111 min read


Covestro and Fraunhofer UMSICHT have joined forces on a smart pyrolysis recycling pilot plant
Materials manufacturer Covestro and the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology (UMSICHT) have signed an agreement to operate a pilot plant capable of processing two thousand tonnes of rigid polyurethane foam waste per year through smart pyrolysis. The facility is expected to be up and running by mid-2028. The plant will focus on converting insulation waste from household appliances and construction into high-purity re-aniline, a key ingredient in
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Mar 101 min read


BASF has expanded its sustainable offerings with a new range of biomass-balance polyether polyols, catering to businesses in the sleep products, automotive, and CASE markets.
BASF has taken a notable step forward in sustainable manufacturing by launching its first commercial production of biomass balance (BMB) polyether polyols in North America. The company's Verbund facility in Geismar, Louisiana is manufacturing the products, adding a greener dimension to BASF's existing range of polyurethane raw materials. The new polyols, certified by ISCC PLUS, a well-respected global standard, ensure that all sustainable biomass materials used can be tracked
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Mar 101 min read
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