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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.


Evonik Announced the Discontinuation of Polyester Business Until 2029
Evonik will implement further structural and cost-cutting measures in the coming years to drive forward the company’s transformation.
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Jun 291 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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Jun 282 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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Jun 282 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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Jun 282 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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Jun 251 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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Jun 254 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


Azelis and Chemetall Expand North American Surface Treatment Distribution Partnership
Azelis and Chemetall Expand North American Surface Treatment Distribution Partnership
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Jun 182 min read


Econic Launches Captured-Carbon Polyols for Sustainable Polyurethane Dispersions
Econic Technologies has introduced a new range of polyols for polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) manufactured using captured carbon dioxide, marking a significant step towards reducing the polyurethane industry's dependence on fossil-based raw materials.
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Jun 181 min read


The Evolving Role of Polyurethane (PU) in Electric Vehicles: A Comparative Analysis of APAC, EMEA and the Americas
The Evolving Role of Polyurethane (PU) in Electric Vehicles: A Comparative Analysis of APAC, EMEA and the Americas
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Jun 174 min read


Olin and Huntsman Agree Landmark Merger to Create $12.5 Billion North American Chemicals Leader
Olin Corporation and Huntsman Corporation have announced a transformative merger of equals that will create a leading North American chemicals company with combined annual revenues exceeding US$12.5 billion.
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Jun 172 min read


Stahl Expands Packaging Coatings Portfolio in Brazil Through Weilburger Graphics Acquisition
Stahl has strengthened its position in the packaging coatings market in Brazil through the acquisition and integration of the Weilburger Graphics portfolio, a move that significantly expands the company’s capabilities in high-performance coatings for packaging applications.
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Jun 161 min read


Selena Raises Q1 Profits Despite Weak Construction Activity
Following the first quarter of 2026, the Selena Group reported continued improvement in profitability despite a challenging market environment. The company generated an operating profit (EBIT) of €7.8 million, representing a year-over-year increase of nearly 16%, while net profit from continuing operations rose to €5.1 million, up more than 9% compared with the same period in 2025.
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Jun 161 min read


Ingredion Announces Acquisition of Tate & Lyle
Ingredion Incorporated, a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to the food and beverage and industrial segments, announced a recommended all-cash offer for the acquisition of Tate & Lyle PLC (“Tate & Lyle”), a global leader in mouthfeel, sweetening and fortification (the “Acquisition”). The transaction implies a total enterprise value of approximately £3.7B ($5.0B), based on the pound sterling to U.S. dollar exchange rate. The Acquisition represents a compelling op
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Jun 152 min read


Celanese to Optimize Engineered Materials Compounding Footprint in Asia
Celanese Corp. is ceasing manufacturing operations at its engineered materials compounding facility in Ulsan, South Korea, as part of a strategic network optimisation initiative designed to strengthen its Asian production footprint and enhance customer service capabilities. The global specialty materials and chemical company announced the plans to transfer production volumes to three strategically located facilities: Nanjing and Shenzhen in China, and Silvassa in India. The m
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Jun 151 min read


Covestro and Insulectro Join Forces to Accelerate Growth in Flexible Electronics Market
Covestro and Insulectro have announced a strategic partnership aimed at expanding access to advanced material solutions for the rapidly growing flexible electronics market across the Americas.
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Jun 121 min read


Polyurethane Sustainability: Natural-Oil Polyols Derived from Cashew Nutshell Liquid (CNSL) Production
Cashew Nutshell Liquid (CNSL) is one of the most promising non-food renewable feedstocks for producing bio-based polyols used in polyurethane foams, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers.
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Jun 123 min read


Clariant Launches melamine-free Flame Retardants
Clariant has introduced a new flame retardant featuring an enhanced sustainability profile, designed for use in polyurethane (PU) and polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam applications. Melamine, a widely used material in fire protection applications, was designated as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) in 2023. In response, Clariant has developed Exolit AP 422 A, a melamine-free alternative. The company stated that it has been developing the new ammonium polyphosphate over the pa
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Jun 112 min read
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