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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.


Bontoux Strengthens Natural Extraction Capabilities with Acquisition of Atelier Fluides Supercritiques
Aromatic ingredients producer Bontoux has announced the acquisition of Atelier Fluides Supercritiques, a French company renowned for its expertise in supercritical CO₂ extraction. The official signing is scheduled for late October. Specialising in the design and optimisation of extraction processes and the precise restitution of delicate botanical compounds, Atelier Fluides Supercritiques brings advanced technical know-how that will enhance Bontoux’s production and innovation
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Nov 5, 20251 min read


EU Fire Safety Regulations Fuel Demand for Advanced Flame Retardants in Polyurethane Foam
Stricter EU fire-safety and chemical laws are boosting demand for advanced, halogen-free flame retardants in polyurethane foams. As older systems phase out, phosphorus- and nitrogen-based solutions lead growth. EMEA demand is projected to rise over 25% by 2030, driven by safer, sustainable innovations in construction and insulation applications.
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Nov 5, 20257 min read


Brenntag collaborates with Givaudan to offer cosmetic actives and high-end speciality ingredients to Thailand
Givaudan and Louvre Abu Dhabi team up to bring art to life through an amazing olfactory journey
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Nov 4, 20251 min read


Holcim Acquires Xella for €1.85bn to Strengthen Sustainable Building Solutions Portfolio
Switzerland-based building materials giant Holcim has finalised an agreement to acquire Xella, a German producer of walling and insulation materials, in a deal valued at €1.85 billion. Xella is known for its wide range of building products, including Multipor insulation, which supports energy-efficient construction. The acquisition is expected to deliver €60 million in EBITDA synergies within three years, driven by operational efficiencies, cross-selling, and expanded product
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Nov 4, 20251 min read


Lucta Group and Blendhub sign a strategic collaboration agreement in Mexico
Lucta Group and Blendhub sign a strategic collaboration agreement in Mexico
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Nov 3, 20252 min read


Stahl Reopens State-of-the-Art Coatings Facility in Ranipet, India to Drive Innovation and Sustainability
Stahl, the leading provider of speciality coatings for flexible materials, has reopened its state-of-the-art coatings facility in Ranipet, India. This is a significant milestone in Stahl's transformation journey and further illustrates the strategic importance of its presence in India. Stahl's dedication to innovation, sustainability, and customer collaboration is further emphasised by the reopening, which features locally produced, high-performance specialty coatings. The Ra
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Nov 3, 20252 min read


Golden Grail Beverages and Naffra Flavours & Concentrates Form Strategic Partnership
Golden Grail Beverages and Naffra Flavours & Concentrates Form Strategic Partnership
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Oct 30, 20251 min read


Nactarome Group has joined forces with Plantex to increase their footprint in plant extracts
Nactarome Group announced that it has acquired Plantex SAS, a producer of high-quality natural ingredients for the nutraceuticals, food, cosmetics, and animal nutrition industries.
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Oct 29, 20252 min read


Brenntag Specialties inaugurates new Food & Nutrition Innovation and Application Center in Leeds, UK
Brenntag, a global leader in chemical and ingredient distribution, has announced the launch of its new Innovation & Application Center in Leeds, UK.
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Oct 28, 20252 min read


Synergy introduces flavor-matched solutions for greens ready-to-mix powders
Synergy Flavours has introduced a new line of flavour-paired concepts aimed primarily at improving the flavour profile of greens ready-to-mix (RTM) powders.
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Oct 28, 20252 min read


Noma and Novonesis collaborate to scale taste
Noma and Novonesis joined forces to scale taste
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Oct 28, 20252 min read


Namaa Flavours & Fragrances to Invest EGP 250 Million in Egypt to Boost Production and Exports
Namaa Flavours & Fragrances has announced intentions to invest EGP 250 million in a comprehensive development program to modernise its manufacturing infrastructure in Ramadan City and boost production capacity to support export expansion.
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Oct 27, 20252 min read


Maple Leaf Foods develops new brand Musafir to cater to South Asian taste demand
Maple Leaf Foods has launched Musafir, a new food brand that combines South Asian culinary traditions with modern convenience to meet the growing customer desire for global tastes and protein-rich foods.
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Oct 27, 20252 min read


BASF Aroma Ingredients introduces the new Isobionics natural lime flavouring ingredient
BASF Aroma Ingredients' revolutionary biotechnology brand, Isobionics®, is introducing a new natural flavour product to the market
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Oct 26, 20252 min read


Somnigroup International Invests In Kingsdown
Somnigroup International is expanding its presence in the mattress industry by taking a minority stake in Kingsdown, a mattress manufacturer. According to executives of the company, the investment is indicative of Somnigroup's "confidence in Kingsdown's brand, heritage, and future." Novacap, the private equity firm that has maintained majority ownership of Kingsdown since 2018, maintains its majority stake. “Somnigroup’s investment represents a powerful endorsement of Kingsdo
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Oct 24, 20251 min read


Symrise invests in Cellibre to drive fermentation-based flavour innovation
Symrise invests in Cellibre to drive fermentation-based flavour innovation
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Oct 23, 20252 min read


dsm-firmenich opens its next-generation, completely automated pet-only premix facility in Tonganoxie, Kansas
dsm-firmenich opens its next-generation, completely automated pet-only premix facility in Tonganoxie, Kansas.
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Oct 23, 20252 min read


Wanhua Chemical, ENGEL and Hitech Forge Strategic Alliance to Advance Polyurethane Innovation
On 10 October 2025, at the K Exhibition in Germany, Wanhua Chemical, ENGEL, and Hitech Co., Ltd. signed a strategic cooperation agreement aimed at driving innovation across the automotive manufacturing value chain. The signing ceremony was attended by senior executives including Hua Weiqi, Executive Vice President of Wanhua Chemical Group; Mr Gero Willmeroth, President Asia and Oceania of ENGEL; and Sun Wenqiang, Chairman of Hitech. This partnership unites three leading playe
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Oct 21, 20251 min read


Nestlé introduces Carnation pistachio taste to enhance dessert pleasure
Nestlé introduces Carnation pistachio taste to enhance dessert pleasure
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Oct 20, 20252 min read


The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Opens Fragrance Atelier in Paris to Accelerate Luxury Innovation
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. has inaugurated its new Fragrance Atelier within La Maison des Parfums on Rue Volney, Paris, under the High Patronage of Emmanuel Macron, marking a major milestone in its global luxury fragrance strategy. The 2,000 m² innovation hub, blending French craftsmanship with modern design, is dedicated to advancing world-class fragrance expertise through AI-enabled creation, neuroscience modelling, and state-of-the-art technologies such as CO₂ supercr
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Oct 17, 20251 min read


PepsiCo launches Christmas crisp tastes, including Gingerbread Doritos
PepsiCo's Doritos Gingerbread, the brand's first-ever limited-edition seasonal flavour, will add a sweet twist to the savoury snack aisle this Christmas.
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Oct 16, 20251 min read


BASF and LEMON Sign MoU for Collaboration
BASF and LEMON Co., Ltd. have signed an MoU to co-develop advanced material solutions using Freeflex®, a fibre made from BASF’s Elastollan® TPU. LEMON, a leader in functional nanomembranes, will use Freeflex in its waterproof and windproof apparel. The partnership also explores future collaboration in technology and business development. Lee Jong-il, Chief Executive Officer, LEMON said , "This partnership with BASF allows us to expand the application of our electrospinning t
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Oct 16, 20251 min read


Centuary Mattresses Expands Into Sofa Segment
Centuary Mattresses, the retail brand of Shree Malani Foams, is stretching out beyond the bedroom and into the living room with a new line of sofas. The company is positioning its sofas as high-quality, premium products at accessible price points, with the marketing tagline “Comfort Re-engineered”. This strategic move allows the brand, already trusted for quality mattresses, to diversify into lifestyle seating solutions. The company has invested ₹50 crore in a 1,20,000 sq. ft
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Oct 16, 20252 min read


Stahl Launches Sustainable Embossable Polyurethane Solution for Synthetic Leather
Stahl, a global leader in speciality coatings for flexible materials, has unveiled PermaQure® EPU, a long-lasting embossable polyurethane (EPU) solution designed to enhance synthetic leather and PU-coated textiles across fashion, upholstery, footwear and more. Showcased at K 2025, the innovation builds on Stahl’s PermaQure® high-solids PU platform to deliver a robust embossing window and durable grain quality, ensuring seamless compatibility with existing PVC embossing lines.
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Oct 16, 20251 min read
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