Evonik

New thin-film composites plant starts at Marl / Commercial launch later this year

Output of transparent plastic continues to grow / Most capacities located in Asia / Key applications include optoelectronics, underground engineering and automotive / New production processes are more economical

Half of all sales with resource-efficient products / Sustainability Report 2015 covers all chemical segments / New developments in fibre-reinforced composites

PMMA moulding compounds prices to rise in Asia-Pacific

Acquisition of Air Products' Performance Materials division for USD 3.8 bn / “Highly complementary portfolios” / Leadership in PU additives

European MMA price increase

Demand for polymeric applications increasing steeply throughout the world / German medical devices providers report record sales / Russian market caves in / Significant potential in ASEAN region

High performance polymers profit from trends / Performance Materials unit lagged / PMMA sale stalled

Raising PA 12 powder capacity in Germany / Added output to meet demand from 3D printing industry

Shanghai-based “Rohacell” foam core production plant starts up

First European Plastics Innovation Awards bestowed / Seven categories

New speciality copolyesters plant to be built in Germany / Meeting rising demand for BPA-free coatings

Takeovers, mergers and consolidations: Changes in the plastics production, packaging and automotive industries / No going back to the way things were

Marketing Hoffmann + Voss' compounds portfolio in the Benelux states

Entry into PEEK compounding market / Base polymer from Solvay? / Acetic acid and VAM output to be widened at Clear Lake site

Despite overcapacities, plans to lift output in Asia / Global consumption stands at 4m t/y / Decline in optical data storage devices pressures sector / Market unsettled by BPA controversy / Opportunities for lighting technology and automotive applications

Dutch IBC specialist plans IPO in the US

Big engines, individualised cars roar at “IAA 2015” / Small combustion engines steal the show from e-vehicles / OEMs favour structural parts made of steel and aluminium / GFRP and CFRP deemed too expensive / Hybrid materials pose a challenge for recycling

Confidence maintained despite minimal output growth / Sales down 4% / Trade surplus deteriorates / Polymers output continues pointing down in June / Cefic chemicals trends report

French distributor buys chemical trading business of Bulgaria's Chimsnab / Majority stake in US speciality chemicals distributor ChemSpec acquired / Part of strategic expansion plans

“Vestamid” range extended with introduction of reinforced PPA / Automotive applications

Name change to Covestro from 1 September / “Colorful identity and positive vision”

Rising demand for polymeric materials with metal-like properties / Niche products make gains / Automotive, E&E, aviation and medical technology sectors as key drivers / Global capacities exceed 800,000 t/y

Follow up: PEKK to fill niche demand for high-temperature polymers / Manufacturing thermoplastic composites for Boeing?

Polymer Intermediates and Composite Resins businesses spun off as NewCo / Global investor CVC holds majority stake / Caprolactam supply ensured for 15 years / Focus on Performance Chemicals