K trade fair sets the direction for the plastics industry
Interview with Thomas Franken, Director of K Show.
Chemical industry
News Plastech
LyondellBasell and Covestro closed Maasvlakte PO11 facility after 22 years
LyondellBasell and Covestro have permanently closed the PO11 unit at Maasvlakte after 22 years of operation. Despite major sustainability investments, global overcapacity, rising imports from Asia and high production costs in Europe made long-term operation unfeasible.
Lanxess at K 2025: focus on additives, colorants and pigments
Lanxess will showcase polymer additives, colorants and heat-stable inorganic pigments at K 2025 in Duesseldorf, highlighting new flame retardants, hydrolysis stabilizers, plasticizers and color solutions for engineering plastics.
Röhm strengthens Worms site and global production network
Röhm has commissioned a new sulfuric acid plant at its Worms site, reinforcing its global MMA and PMMA production network. The modern unit replaces a facility damaged in 2023 and supports regional MMA supply.
Final environmental decision for Qemetica's WtE in Inowroclaw
The Local Government Appeals Board in Bydgoszcz upheld the environmental decision for the construction of a waste-to-energy facility in Inowroclaw. This enables Qemetica and PreZero to proceed to the building permit stage.
Cray Valley to supply ISCC Plus resins for Continental tires
TotalEnergies’ Cray Valley has agreed to supply ISCC Plus-certified Cleartack and Ricon resins to Continental. Using a mass balance approach and bio-feedstock from used cooking oil, the materials aim to increase renewable content in tire value chains while maintaining safety and performance.
Circular Valley Convention 2026 with BASF, Bayer, Evonik, Henkel
Circular Valley Convention will return on 11 and 12 March 2026 at Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf, co-hosted by BASF, Bayer, Evonik and Henkel. Exhibitor registration and ticket sales are open, with a super early bird offer valid until 30 September 2025.
Continental first to use Lanxess’ sustainable rubber additive
Continental is the first tire maker to use Lanxess's ISCC PLUS-certified Vulkanox HS Scopeblue, a TMQ antioxidant with a carbon footprint more than 30 percent lower than the conventional grade and no required process changes.
Syensqo and cylib hit milestone in EV battery lithium recovery
Syensqo and cylib reported pilot-scale production of high-purity lithium hydroxide from end-of-life EV batteries, recovering lithium from mixed chemistries on a single line. The collaboration integrates solvent extraction with hydrometallurgy and targets compliance with EU battery recovery thresholds.
Ampacet launches ProVital+ Proflow 1485 PFAS-Free Polymer Processing Aid Masterbatch For pharmaceutical and medical applications
Ampacet, a global masterbatch leader, has introduced ProVital+ Proflow 1485, a medical-grade PFAS-Free and Siloxane-Free polymer processing aid masterbatch solution designed to replace conventional fluorinated PPA masterbatches used in a wide range of applications.
BASF to highlight Valeras additives and new HALS at K 2025
At K 2025, BASF will present the next phase of its Valeras additive portfolio, including a new Tinuvin Nor 112 grade for greenhouse films and a HALS solution in development. The company will also showcase partnerships that apply additives to circularity and durability use cases.
Henkel debuts phthalate-free PVC sealants for metal packaging
Henkel Adhesive Technologies has introduced the phthalate-free Darex COV sealant range for metal pails and drums, replacing existing formulations to meet tightening regulations. The flagship Darex COV 73 enables lower curing temperatures and avoids CMR-classified ingredients.
