Contents
MATERIALS
Tosaf formulates antiviral and antimicrobial additive for nonwoven medical protection products 1
Shepherd Color unveils IR-reflective black pigment for plastics and coatings 2
Dow introduces new silicone surfactants for more-sustainable PU foam formulations 2
Tests confirm antiviral properties of selected Sanitized additives on polymer surfaces 3
Clariant additives for biopolymers gain certification for industrial compostability 3
Eckart wins Altana Innovation Award for new pearl effect pigments technology 4

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Arkema finalizes functional polyolefins sale, strengthens speciality materials focus 5
Chroma Color’s growth continues with acquisition of Epolin Chemicals, plant upgrades 5
Teijin boosts European capacity for chopped carbon fibres 6
Evonik reorganizes divisional structure to reflect specialities transformation 7
Nouryon expands manufacturing capacity for organic peroxides in Brazil 8
FINANCIALS
Songwon Industrial posts solid financial results 8
Nabaltec reports ‘modest’ quarterly figures in challenging environment 9

EQUIPMENT
Ampacet targets high precision and micro-moulding with LIAD gravimetric feeder offerings 10
BASF’s trinamiX extends mobile NIR spectroscopy to plastic sorting 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
Ampacet introduces a cluster of new products to boost the recycling of plastic packaging 1
Techmer PM’s charge enhancer improves filtration efficiency of face masks 2
Silvergate adds colour to 30% recycled content masterbatch range 3
Shepherd Color’s YInMn Blue gains full EPA approval 4
Anti-scratch masterbatch from Ampacet reduces surface defects in styrenics 4
Clariant creates market-specific colour & effects mix for Asian personal care packaging 4
NECOC project aims to convert ambient CO2 to industrially relevant carbon black 5
Milliken aids manufacturers to utilize polypropylene for protective face shields 7

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Lomon Billions opens new office in Shanghai 7
Tronox signs agreement to acquire TiZir Titanium and Iron; posts 1Q 2020 results 8
Orion constructing new logistics centre in Cologne 9

FINANCIALS
Clariant posts weaker results due to ‘unprecedented’ economic environment 9
Cabot delivers ‘solid results’ in second quarter of fiscal 2020 10
Orion Engineered Carbons reports lower results in 1Q 2020 10
Lanxess records slight fall in sales but income hit by coronavirus crisis 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
BASF promotes plastics circularity with new NIR black and collaboration with Security Matters 1
Kraton launches additives line to foster recycling of challenging polymer waste streams 3
Ampacet’s new masterbatch line offers luxurious matte finish for PET packaging 4
Itaconix enters biodegradable plastics market with functional additives launch 4
COTREP certification granted to NIR-detectable black masterbatches 5

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Ingenia purchases LyondellBasell masterbatch tolling operation 6
Nouryon expands precursor partnership with Sumitomo; reports profitability gain in 2019 6
LG Chem plans major investment to triple its carbon nanotube production capacity 7
Epsilon Carbon invests in production capacity as ventures into carbon black segment 7

FINANCIALS
Altana withstands economic challenges in 2019; aims for CO2 neutrality 8
Nabaltec reports slim gains in sales and EBIT for 2019 financial year 9

MARKETS
BCC Research publishes latest analysis of global markets for plastics additives 9

EQUIPMENT
Ampacet acquires feeders and blenders manufacturer LIAD 10
BASF subsidiary trinamiX offers mobile NIR spectroscopy device 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
Clariant presents highly reflective chrome masterbatch for premium packaging, develops colour range for
new auto application 1
Holland Colours’ latest products offer protection for beer, alternative for laser marking 3
Grafe unveils masterbatch to modify structural and exterior components 3
Lanxess and Kraton introduce new bio-based additives for tyres 4
Nouryon launches new curing agents to improve properties of thermosets 5
Techmer PM and BASF join forces to launch new Ultrason colours forhealthcare 5

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Sinochem building first additives plant outside China 6
Ascend purchases Italian masterbatch and compounding businesses 6
Foster Corp partners with LioChem to expand medical colour masterbatch capability 7
OCSiAl reaches full production capacity at second nanotube synthesis facility 7

FINANCIALS
Lanxess withstands ‘challenging environment’ in 2019, achieves record margin 8
Clariant reports modest local currency sales growth in 2019 but income drops 9
Chemours’ annual sales and earnings decrease in adverse conditions 10
Songwon achieves record annual sales total in 2019 though profit declines 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
Songwon launches new family of flame-retardant synergists and extends stabilizers portfolio 1
Clariant extends oxygen scavengers range; agrees sale of masterbatches business 2
Silvergate unveils NIR-detectable black masterbatch to enhance sustainability 3
Gabriel-Chemie introduces taggant technology and presents latest colour trend forecast 4
Croda’s Incroslip SL slip additive granted release from US SNUR regulations 5
Clariant and Americhem reveal their colour predictions for 2021 5

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Chroma Color continues to expand with acquisition of Plastics Color 6
Italmatch acquires phosphorus recovery technology from ICL 6
Solvay brings new US capacity online for high molecular weight HALS 7
Magnifin proceeds with plan for second production site 7
BASF to expand production capacity for Irganox 1520L at Italian site 8
Tolsa opens clay processing plant 8

FINANCIALS
Eastman sees sales and earnings fall in fourth quarter and full-year 2019 9
Cabot posts results for 1Q fiscal 2020; agrees acquisition of Chinese CNT producer 10
LyondellBasell reports declines in sales and income in 2019 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
Brüggemann and Fraunhofer LBF collaborate to commercialize new stabilization technology for recycled polyolefins 1
Nofia flame retardants provide processing and property enhancements in recycled PET 2
Holland Colours extends its reach with new range of additives for plastic packaging 3
Emerald Kalama enters polyurethanes market with new line of modifiers 3
Silvergate Plastics creates masterbatch range tailored for film market 4

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Perstorp commences construction of new Penta plant in India 5
Evonik and Wynca break ground for fumed silica plant in Zhenjiang 5
BASF completes second phase of Shanghai antioxidants facility 6
Addipel expands capacity with move to new headquarters and production site 7
PSG’s Polymer Additives division acquired by Jordan Co from Arsenal Capital 7
Chromaflo Technologies purchases Rolfes Colour Pigments in South Africa 8

FINANCIALS
Cabot’s results improve for fiscal year 2019 despite fourth quarter declines 8
Nabaltec attains third-quarter results record but reports slowing growth 9

MARKETS
Global market for plastic antioxidants forecast to reach US$2.8 billion by 2024 10

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES
Evonik remains committed to DINP; joins manufacturer request for EPA risk evaluation 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
Lanxess reveals pre-commercial high-performance vulcanization accelerator for tyres and rubber 1
Eckart unveils new effect pigment ranges 2
Evonik presents innovations to boost plastics and rubber recycling 3
Milliken extends its performance modifier and clarifier ranges for polypropylene 4
Dover Chemical’s thermal stabilizer obtains food contact clearance from FDA 5
Ampacet launches R3 Sustainable Solutions initiative 5
BRB introduces two new multipurpose silanes 6

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Cabot commences Indonesian carbon black expansion project 7
Sabo plans upgrade and capacity gain at HALS manufacturing unit 7
Songwon forms partnership with Chinese firm Uniwel to enhance PVC stabilizer business 8
Orion Engineered Carbons opens technical service applications lab; posts 3Q 2019 results 8

FINANCIALS
Lanxess reports ‘stable’ 3Q 2019; divests organotin specialities to PMC Group 9
Songwon Industrial sees profits decline in 3Q 2019 though sales rise continues 10

EQUIPMENT
Coperion presents automated multi-ingredient handling system at K 2019 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
Venator launches low-moisture TiO2 pigment for demanding processing conditions at K 2019 1
Ampacet presents halogen-free flame retardant masterbatch 2
BYK extends high-performance additives range with lightweight filler and synergist 3
Clariant introduces oxygen scavenger additive masterbatch for PET packaging… 3
…and debuts bio-based additives and circular economy initiatives at K 2019 4
Cabot unveils sustainable black masterbatches and advanced carbons at K 2019 6
FRX Polymers’ Nofia flame retardants gain applications in PC/polyester blends 6

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Chroma Color completes upgrade of Leominster plant 7
Penn Color opens expanded Dutch facilities for PVC and engineering plastics masterbatches 8
Arkema plans to divest its functional polyolefins business to SK Global Chemical 8
Merck expands and modernizes production for effect pigments 9
Emery Oleochemicals extends technical development centre for polymer additives 9

FINANCIALS
Holland Colours posts top- and bottom-line growth in 1H fiscal 2019/2020 9
Clariant’s third quarter 2019 results demonstrate ‘resilience’ 10

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES
European Commission to classify powdered TiO2 as a suspected carcinogen 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
Additive innovations from Brüggemann improve performance in virgin and recycled polyamides 1
Milliken reveals colorants portfolio for high-heat engineering plastics 2
Clariant introduces pigment range for biodegradable and compostable packaging 3
Chroma Color launches new line of laser marking additives and concentrates 4
DIC Corp unveils 100% biomass-based plasticizer 4
Colloids extends speciality orange masterbatch range for engineering polymers 4
Wacker presents latest silicone-based performance additive for TPUs at K 2019 5
Tolsa expands Adins range with new flame retardant synergists and biocides 6

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Holland Colours augments production capacity for light blockers in Indonesia 7
BASF opens new research laboratory for colour and effect pigments 7
Italmatch announces investment in FRX Polymers 8
Cabot and HYC inaugurate fumed silica plant in China 8
Ukraine’s Technocom seeks new business in Europe 9
Eastman launches tyre technology centre in China 10
Modern Dispersions expands black masterbatch, engineered compound capacities 10

EQUIPMENT
A round-up of dosing, mixing & other equipment innovations from K 2019 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
RTP unveils broad range of conductive masterbatches for ESD protection 2
BASF presents expanded pigments range at K 2019 2
Ampacet launches detectable masterbatch for food processing and handling applications 3
BYK reveals first product in new family of high-performance additives for thermoplastics 4
Silvergate introduces colour matching service for polymer recyclates 5

COMPANY STRATEGIES
DIC Corp agrees to acquire BASF’s global pigments business for €1.15 billion 1, 5
Milliken increases Asian presence with new plant in Singapore 6
Chemours acquires Southern Ionics Minerals to expand TiO2 ore sources 6
Chromaflo Technologies obtains South African pigment dispersions business 7
Synthomer plans to purchase Omnova 7
Carbon black producers respond to marine fuel regulation in North America 8

FINANCIALS
Cabot delivers ‘solid’ results in fiscal 2019 third quarter despite challenging conditions 8
Eastman sees sales and earnings fall in the face of difficult economic environment 9
Songwon reports double-digit growth in quarterly sales and profit 10
Continued growth at Nabaltec boosted by flame retardants in the first half of 2019 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
NIR-reflecting black pigment from Lanxess lengthens the service life of plastics 1
BASF extends Tinuvin NOR range with new stabilizer for agricultural plastics 2
Raumedic’s biocompatible additive improves the sliding properties of medical plastics 3
Gabriel-Chemie and Clariant launch NIR-detectable blacks to boost plastics recycling 3
FDA broadens food contact approval for SI Group’s Ultranox 626 antioxidant 4

COMPANY STRATEGIES
BASF invests in capacity expansions for additives intermediates; realigns organization 4
Lifocolor constructing new masterbatch production plant in Lichtenfels 5
Clariant suspends JV plan with SABIC and decides to divest entire Masterbatches business 6
Nouryon boosts peroxides capacity at Ningbo; expands access for European thermoset customers 6
Oxea builds additional plant for carboxylic acid production in Oberhausen 7

FINANCIALS
Lanxess reports ‘stable’ second quarter despite weak demand from automotive industry 7
Holland Colours achieves 9% revenue growth in 2018/2019 financial year 9

LITERATURE
Ceresana analyses the European market for fillers in new report 10
Zion Market Research publishes study of global plastic additives market 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
Perstorp’s new plasticizer promises to enhance the performance and environmental profile of flexible PVC 1
Devine Chemicals unveils its first pigments range 2
Evonik introduces antiblocking agents for high-clarity blown and cast polymer films 3
Ampacet masterbatch boosts look and performance of PE recyclate for flexible packaging 4
Milliken reveals its colour trends for 2020 4
First Graphene reports enhanced PU fire retardancy, first sales for PureGRAPH 5
Roundup of innovations from Songwon, SI Group and others showcased at Chinaplas 2019 5

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Magnifin studies feasibility of second flame retardants production site 7
Clariant Masterbatches creates Thai centre to serve Asia Pacific packaging industry 8
Sanitized invests in customer-specific development of antimicrobial masterbatches 8
Nouryon adopts new organizational structure to accelerate growth 9
Sabo and Ziko form strategic partnership to secure supply of key UV absorber 9

FINANCIALS
Nabaltec posts strong first quarter as growth continues into 2019 10
Results decline for Orion Engineered Carbons in challenging first quarter 10
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
DuPont unveils combined antiblock and slip masterbatch for PE blown films 1
Ampacet launches high-opacity masterbatch to protect dairy products from photodegradation 2
Chromaflo Technologies reveals high colour strength black for polyurethanes 3
Colloids presents innovative black and orange masterbatches at Chinaplas 2019 3
Riverdale Global’s latest liquid additive enhances the properties of recycled polyolefins 4
Croda introduces amine-free antistatic additive for polypropylene 5
BASF develops low abrasion titanium dioxide masterbatch for polyamide yarns 5

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Baerlocher further expands Malaysian manufacturing hub 6
Lanxess reorganizes additives business; completes Macrolex dyes expansion 6
Clariant opens speciality black masterbatches plant at Guangzhou site 7
South Korean trio finalizes the acquisition of Momentive 8

FINANCIALS
Lanxess withstands weaker trading conditions in first quarter of 2019 9
Songwon Industrial experiences slow start, reduced profit in 1Q 2019 9
Cabot Corp reports improved sales and profitability in 2Q fiscal 2019 10

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES
VECAP marks 15th anniversary by launching new best practices code 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
Clariant develops dual-action anti-mosquito masterbatch to help fight malaria 1
Shepherd Color enlarges its portfolio of highly durable inorganic yellow pigments 2
Lifocolor unveils frost effect masterbatches for transparent plastics 3
Evonik expects strong demand for new fast-fusing plasticizer 3
FDA extends approvals for SI Group’s Weston 705 antioxidants 4
Lotte introduces Evermoin silver-free antimicrobial technology to global market 5

COMPANY STRATEGIES
BYK opens Shanghai site to support additives customers in China 5
Nouryon completes further peroxides expansions; reports growth in first annual results 6
Tramaco expands production capacity via site relocation 7
Tronox concludes Cristal acquisition following FTC approval 8

FINANCIALS
Challenging economic conditions restrict Clariant’s growth in first quarter of 2019 9
Nabaltec reports continued revenue growth in 2018 financial year 10

EQUIPMENT
Maag Americas adds high-intensity colour mixer to product line 10

MARKETS
Ceresana’s latest report details growth and change for global plasticizers market 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
Ampacet’s latest innovative masterbatches boost use of recycled materials 1
Sukano launches ‘mobility aid’ masterbatch for injection stretch blow moulded PET bottles 2
Grafe optimizes ABS combination masterbatch for automotive applications 3
Americhem continues to develop softening technology for nonwovens 3
BASF unveils solutions to ease recolouring of plastic regrind 4
Sabo commercializes robust UV stabilizer for agricultural applications 4
Teknor Apex unveils new range of sparkling colour concentrates for moulded products 5

COMPANY STRATEGIES
BASF intends to divest its pigments business by end 2020 5
Omya inaugurates new technology centre in Singapore, forms Caribbean JV 6
Ineos agrees to buy Cristal’s US TiO2 business from Tronox 7
Milliken building new plant for PP clarifier; collaborates with PureCycle and Nestlé 7
Sibur begins commissioning 100 000 tonnes/year DOTP facility in Russia 8
Nouryon to double capacity for solvent-based organic peroxides in Mexico 9

FINANCIALS
Lanxess posts strong sales and income gains in fiscal 2018 9
Songwon Industrial reports solid sales and profit growth in 2018 10

MARKETS
AMI forecasts 5% annual growth for global masterbatch industry 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
Gabriel-Chemie unveils colour masterbatch range based on PCR polypropylene 2
Lifocolor adds PPS to colour masterbatch portfolio 2
Lehigh Technologies and Birla Carbon receive international sustainability awards 3

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Nouryon plans to build new plant for expandable microspheres in the USA; further extends peroxide capabilities 1, 3
Chroma Color continues growth with Polymer Concentrates acquisition 4
Cytec Industries files patent violation lawsuit against Beijing Tiangang Auxiliary 4
DCC Lansco installs additional production line for organic pigments 5
Sanyo to build antistatic agents plant in Thailand 5
Reagens and Indofil form plastics additives joint venture in India 6
Sudarshan opens application development laboratory in Europe 6

FINANCIALS
Clariant reports sales and income growth for full-year 2018 7
Venator posts losses in fourth quarter and full-year 2018 8
Chemours’ annual results show positive progression 9
Ferro Corp delivers increased sales and income in 2018 9

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES
European Chemicals Agency creates additives inventory 10
ASTM International approves first standard for recovered carbon black 10

MARKETS
Ceresana analyses the market for polymer stabilizers 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
Toray launches carbon fibre series combining high tensile strength and modulus
Clariant’s Mevopur additives improve laser welding for medical devices
Baerlocher invests US$30 million on significant capacity expansion in India
Ampacet adds two further colour production lines & expands lab facilities at Dudelange
BASF inaugurates first phase of Chinese antioxidants plant; progresses with new Verbund site
Oxea takes steps to expand capacity for carboxylic acids
Perstorp simplifies organization to foster efficiency and profitable growth
Carbios, Carbiolice and Novozymes sign joint development agreement
LyondellBasell Industries posted 13% higher sales in 2018 aided by A Schulman acquisition
Cabot Corp reverses fiscal first quarter loss, grows sales
Eastman reports higher annual sales but lower profit in 2018
EVENTS CALENDAR

Contents
MATERIALS
FRX Polymers’ Nofia provides eco-friendly flame retardance in high-temperature PUR foam 1
Songwon introduces liquid aminic antioxidant for flexible foams and more 2
Colloids launches masterbatch range compatible with laser marking 2
Ampacet extends clarifier and antistat ranges… 3
…and presents lower-cost alternative to metallization 4
Grafe adds flop effect and anti-counterfeit solutions to masterbatch range 4
Evonik’s phosphate methacrylate finds broader additive applications 5
GreenMantra’s WPC additives enhance sustainability 6
Clariant and Gabriel-Chemie present their colour trend forecasts for plastics 7

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Lanxess plans E200 million investment in flame retardants; reports strong income growth 8
Songwon forms UV absorbers partnership with Disheng, expands capacity 9
Kafrit purchases US masterbatch producer Polyfil 10
Perstorp increases Di-Penta production capacity for lead-free stabilizers 10
Lehmann&Voss acquires fillers manufacturer Osthoff Omega 11
Lifocolor invests in new French masterbatches plant 11
Chromaflo expands into Mexico and Malaysia 12

FINANCIALS
Cabot reports mixed results for 2018 fiscal year 12
Nabaltec posts continued sales growth; forms Chinese subsidiary 13

MARKETS
Turning the spotlight on pigments for plastics applications 14
EVENTS CALENDAR 16

Contents
MATERIALS
Dow Performance Silicones’ new masterbatch extends slip options for form-fill-seal packaging 1
Ampacet develops process aid masterbatch for outdoor blown film applications 2
Huber expands alumina-based range of thermally conductive additives for polyamides 2
Americhem launches three new additive masterbatches for synthetic fibre applications 3
Michelman unveils new family of Hydrosize carbon fibre sizing solutions 4
Lehigh Technologies’ micronized rubber powder process gains ICIS innovation award 4
OCSiAl highlights the efficacy of its graphene nanotubes as antistatic agents in PU 5

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Lanxess expands production capacity for micronized red iron oxide pigments 6
Perstorp to double production capacity for Pevalen non-phthalate plasticizer 6
AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals becomes Nouryon; launches DCHP-free peroxide 7
Orion reveals acquisition of French carbon black producer; posts strong sales gain in 3Q 2018 8

FINANCIALS
Clariant delivers increased sales and EBITDA in the third quarter of 2018 9
Holland Colours reports 8% sales growth in the first half of its fiscal year 10

LITERATURE
TechSci Research analyses the worldwide market for plastic additives 10

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES
VECAP ensures sustainable management of brominated flame retardants in Europe 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
Ampacet offers near IR-transparent black masterbatches to facilitate sorting & recycling 1
Tosaf develops matte additive for polyolefin films 2
Australian company FGR launches initial graphene product range 2
Gabriel-Chemie presents masterbatches certified to halal and vegan standards 3
Rowa Lack extends colorants portfolio for PMMA; adds pilot plant 4
Sumitomo Chemical provides PES additive to increase toughness of epoxy composites 4
Devine Chemicals introduces titanium dioxide grades 5

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Clariant and SABIC plan to form high-performance materials joint venture 5
Cabot Corp boosts speciality carbons business with Chinese plant acquisition 6
Momentive opens European silanes plant; agrees to acquisition by investor group 7
Birla Carbon invests in production enhancements in Spain 8
Venator Materials to close titanium dioxide facility in Finland 8
DCC Lansco pursues improved sustainability in pigments production 9
Penn Colour further expands Dutch site 10

LITERATURE
Ceresana updates its analysis of the global titanium dioxide market 10

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES
Recyclers seek to shift EU position on proposed cut to decaBDE limit 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
Collaborations aim to foster commer-cialization of graphene-enhanced polymers in the UK 1
Fraunhofer IAP uses tomato DNA to prevent counterfeiting in silicone implants 2
Addivant’s Weston 705 antioxidant gains food contact approval in Mercosur region 3
ColorFabb and Grafe collaborate to introduce colour on demand for 3D printing filaments 4

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Ferro is boosting pigments capacity in Colombia 4
LyondellBasell completes US$2.25 billion acquisition of A Schulman 5
Combined colour concentrates entity takes on Chroma name 5
Poland’s Grupa Azoty invests in plasticizers 6
RMCC opens third processing plant to expand natural magnesium hydroxide output 6
Brüggemann expands polymer additives production 7
Tronox takes measures to progress Cristal acquisition 7
Evonik establishes production and technology partnerships in China; reports 2Q growth 8

FINANCIALS
Mixed results for Songwon Industrial in 2Q 2018 9
Nabaltec’s revenues reach record high in the first half of 2018 9
Cabot Corp achieves strong sales and earnings growth in 3Q fiscal 2018 10
Orion delivers strong results in second quarter of 2018; appoints new CEO 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
Dow Performance Silicones tackles squeaking in automotive interior applications 1
Axel presents latest process aid for thermoplastics 2
Lifocolor Farben unveils metallic effect masterbatches 3
Sanyo Chemical’s innovative resin modifier improves wetting of polyolefins 3
Parx Plastics extends antimicrobial technology to wood-plastic composites 4
Colour Tone gains patent for improved PVCu colour masterbatch 4

COMPANY STRATEGIES
BASF invests in capacity expansions for antioxidants and pigments 5
Carolina Color acquires Chroma Corp; receives new patent for G3 technology 6
AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals further extends organic peroxides footprint 7
Bain Capital agrees to purchase Italmatch Chemicals from Ardian 8
Silvergate installs new extrusion line to raise masterbatch capacity 8
Lehigh, Hera joint venture completes Spanish micronized rubber plant 8
Birla Carbon to expand carbon black capacity by 150 000 tonnes/year 9

FINANCIALS
Clariant reports increased sales and income in the first half of 2018 9
Record result for Specialty Additives boosts Lanxess’s 2Q 2018 figures 10
Eastman Chemical delivers strong growth in the second quarter of 2018 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
Final roundup of polymer additive and colorant introductions from NPE 2018 2
Ampacet presents UV stabilizer masterbatch for long-life greenhouse films 3
GCR Group offers compostable mineral masterbatches 4
Colour Tone introduces NIR-detectable black masterbatches 4
Viba unveils protective masterbatch for HDPE agricultural netting 5
BYK develops wetting and dispersing additive for highly filled PVC systems 5
Superior Graphite reveals additives product line for polymers market 6
Troy launches silicone-free defoamer for polymers, rubber and more 6

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Ampacet shifts focus to colour and advanced additives, adds new markets and regions 1, 7
Clariant opens two new additives plants in China, breaks ground on a third 7
BASF inaugurates EMEA application centre for plastics additives 8
Nabaltec is expanding and reorganizing its US operations 8
Evonik further expands precipitated silica capacity; announces corporate streamlining initiative 9
Gabriel-Chemie breaks ground on second Russian production facility 10

FINANCIALS
Holland Colours reports steady gains in annual sales and earnings 10

LITERATURE
Ceresana publishes updated study of the global carbon black market 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
Milliken unveils new additives to enhance PP impact copolymers for injection moulding 1
Orion presents new conductive carbon black for thermoplastics; posts 1Q 2018 sales gains 2
Vertellus launches compatibilizer and chain extender to boost use of recycled polyesters 3
Emerald adds polymeric product to expand high-performance plasticizers range 4
Eckart offers sparkling orange effect pigment 5
Baerlocher USA introduces antioxidant to foster polyolefin recycling 6

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Cabot to raise global carbon black capacity by more than 300 000 tonnes 7
SK Capital agrees to acquire SI Group, plans to combine with Addivant 7
Americhem purchases Indian masterbatch producer Prescient Color 8
Tosaf opens masterbatch production plant in the USA 8
AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals is increasing Indian organic peroxides capacity 9

FINANCIALS
Songwon achieves strong profit growth in 1Q 2018 9
Growth continues for Nabaltec in first quarter of 2018 10
Chemours doubles first-quarter earnings in 2018 10

MARKETS
Alumina trihydrate market value forecast to reach US$1.99 billion by 2023 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12

Contents
MATERIALS
Venator introduces pigment and filler innovations at Chinaplas 1
Chinese additives and colorants producers showcase offerings at Chinaplas 2018 2
Tosaf unveils ‘third-generation’ anti-fog masterbatch for polyethylene films 4
Axel extends MoldWiz INT range with new process aid additive 5
Colloids launches new range of engineering polymer masterbatches at Chinaplas 5
BASF presents sparkling ultraviolet shade collection for plastics applications 6
Huntsman’s novel additive facilitates the coating of TPOs 7
Songwon highlights tailored antioxidant blends and mixed metal stabilizers at Chinaplas 7

COMPANY STRATEGIES
Cabot enlarges global footprint for black masterbatches and conductive compounds 8
Wacker Metroark opens new production facility for functional silicone fluids 9
Evonik invests in enhanced US methacrylate crosslinkers capacity 10
Altana creates BYK plastic additives centre at PolyAd’s US site 10

FINANCIALS
Clariant reports 7% increase in sales for the first quarter of 2018 11
Eastman posts improved sales and earnings in 1Q 2018 11
EVENTS CALENDAR 12