Germany’s chemical industry trade association, the VCI, said that the mood in the nation’s chemical and pharmaceutical industry “cooled noticeably in August because the global economy did not pick up as hoped”. This applies particularly to chemicals. “A weak industrial economy in Europe, the USA and China, as well as a lack of price-competitiveness in Germany, are dampening sales opportunities abroad,” the VCI said.

BASF is to end production of three chemicals at its main site in Ludwigshafen. This is part of an ongoing strategic review that is being undertaken “to ensure competitiveness under changing market conditions” and will lead to about 180 job cuts.

Wanhua Chemical of China has commissioned its 48,000 tonnes/year citral facility, which is the largest single-unit production plant of its kind in the world. This completes a 13-year journey that began with small-scale trials in 2011.

Indian firm Aether Industries has entered into a manufacturing agreement with Chemoxy International, a UK-based subsidiary of Seqens. Under this, it will produce a series of natural biobased products exclusively for Seqens over an initial period of three years. No further details were disclosed. Production is expected to commence over the next ten months. The manufacturing process is said to involve a complex process and continuous reaction technology, which Aether and Seqens developed collaboratively over the past three years.

Lanxess has reversed a decision to sell the chromium oxide pigments business at the Krefeld-Uerdingen site in Germany, preserving 50 jobs there. This followed “intensive and lengthy negotiations” to secure a long-term supply of raw materials and identifying further potential for improvement along the entire value chain. Chromium oxide pigments are very heat-stable and are used for colouring glazes and enamels in ceramics, the production of refractory bricks and colouring a wide variety of materials.

Evonik has completed the expansion of DL-methionine production at Singapore’s Jurong Island, bringing the total capacity to 340,000 tonnes/year. Following shutdowns in Q4 2023 and Q2 2024, the facilities are now running at full capacity. The methionine is used in animal feed.

Kemira has announced changes to its operating model with the aim of increasing customer-centricity, strategic focus, speed of delivery, and accelerating growth. This will take effect from 1 January 2025. The composition of the management board will change add three externally reported business units, created, each headed by an EVP:

* Water Solutions (Tuija Pohjolainen-Hiltunen)

* Packaging & Hygiene Solutions (Harri Eronen)

* Fibre Essentials (Antti Matula)