Bayer MaterialScience will be presenting a range of products, applications and process technologies linked to innovative and sustainable developments for polyurethanes at UTECH 2012 in Maastricht, Netherland. A focus of the presentation is climate protection, as Bayer MaterialScience is constantly developing new solutions for saving energy, reducing CO₂ emissions, and conserving oil and other natural resources.

Celanese will increase the price of all grades of Ateva® EVA by $0.10/pound and all grades of LDPE by $0.06/pound, effective March 1, 2012 or as contracts allow.

WACKER will unveil specialty silicone elastomers for the Indian automotive, transportation and infrastructure industry at Plastindia 2012. Products include ELASTOSIL® R plus 48xx and ELASTOSIL® LR 384x. These are oil-bleeding silicones that are used for manufacturing electrical mat seals and weather packs for automotive electronics. A further highlight will be flame-resistant silicone elastomers for use in rail vehicles and aircraft.

IMCD Group is delighted to announce the extension of the partnership with Eastman Chemical Company for their range of nonphthalate plasticizers to include Germany and Benelux. This includes Eastman Benzoflex™, TXIB™ formulation additive, Eastman 168™ (DEHT) and Eastman™ Triacetin ranges.

Resintex Technology S.r.l. is this year exhibiting new product ranges at Seatec 2012 in Carrara, Italy, which runs from 8th - 10th February. On their stand they will be promoting an extended range of specialty raw materials, reinforcements and ancillary composite products which they supply across Italy, as well as their closed mould technology expertise.

Albemarle Corporation has greatly reduced the odor of its ETHACURE 300 liquid aromatic diamine curative used in both hot and room-temperature polyurethane cast elastomers and sealants.

Gevo, Inc. received a landmark patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office on its GIFT® separation unit, a central element in the Company's unique fermentation technology for the production of isobutanol. This patent addresses the separation technology used to produce propanols, butanols, pentanols, and hexanols.

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. announced a 1,000 ton production augmentation of hydroquinone at its Iwakuni-Ohtake Works. Demand for hydroquinone, with main uses including polymerization inhibitors, anti-oxidant ingredients for rubbers, and as pigments, has increased significantly worldwide and especially in Asia in line with growing demands for acrylic acid, methyl methacrylate, and acrylonitrile in which it is used as a polymerization inhibitor.

Eastman Chemical Company and Solutia Inc. have entered into a definitive agreement, under which Eastman will acquire Solutia, a global leader in performance materials and specialty chemicals. This acquisition is also a significant step in Eastman's strategy to extend its global presence in emerging markets. In particular, it should significantly accelerate Eastman's growth efforts and offer excellent growth opportunities in Asia Pacific.

Sartomer will hold its recurring technical seminar on ultraviolet light and electron beam curing chemistries at its headquarters in Exton, Pa., near Philadelphia. The free seminar will take place from March 27-29 and is geared toward industrial chemists and product formulators who want to expand their practical knowledge of current UV/EB chemistries.

EcoSynthetix Inc. announced that it has secured $2.1 in funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). This funding will support a project for the further development of EcoSynthetix's novel EcoMer® bio-based monomer platform.

Franklin has expanded its new line of FilterFAB filter assembly adhesives to include a thick, quick and very versatile sealant developed primarily to bond pleated glass or paper media to the frames of air intake panel filters. FilterFAB 150 is a fiber-filled, vinyl acrylic copolymer sealant that blends high viscosity and high solids into a thick formula that dries quickly and remains flexible over time.

Genomatica has obtained the exclusive worldwide rights to the PROESA® process for the production of BDO from biomass, through any fermentation-based process, pursuant to a definitive agreement signed with Beta Renewables. Integrating PROESA with Genomatica's direct biological process will result in a complete, proprietary process for the second-generation manufacturing of BDO using non-food, cellulosic biomass as feedstock.

One of the fastest growing market segments in the concrete flooring arena is sealers for decorative and polished concrete surfaces. There is a need in this market for a more durable, longer lasting product, and Bayer MaterialScience LLC sealed its position as a coating and sealant market innovator by developing a new technology for sealers.

OMNOVA Solutions announced a price increase of $0.12 per dry pound on styrene butadiene (SB) latex for carpet and related markets, effective February 18, 2012. This increase is driven by the escalation in raw material costs utilized to manufacture SB latex products and is in addition to previously announced increases.

The XIAMETER® web-enabled business model is expanding its product offering to provide customers with even more high-quality, standard silicone product choices. New products include a variety of silicone fluids, emulsions, resins, coatings, antifoams, moldmaking and liquid silicone rubbers, as well as additional rubber bases and compounds, modifiers, primers and catalysts.

Garland recently introduced a new single-component liquid-applied mastic that is durable and easy to apply. The Tuff-Flash™ liquid flashing system provides superior water protection and weathering capabilities. It is an asphalt polyurethane that adheres to asphaltic membranes as well as a variety of metal surfaces. This includes SBS, APP, and smooth or mineral surfaced asphalt roofs.

Altropol Kunstoff GmbH and IMCD Group announce a new distribution partnership. As of 2012, IMCD will be promoting the polyols with the trade name "Neukapol" in Europe and South Africa. The "Neukapol" specialties are based on renewable resources and are used e.g. in coatings, adhesives and sealing compounds.

Emerald Kalama Chemical announced that it has started the construction of a new operation to produce K-FLEX® non-phthalate plasticizers and coalescents at its facility in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The new operation is scheduled to be commissioned during the third quarter of 2012.

Keyuan Petrochemicals Inc. announced that one of its production lines for Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene ("SBS") has commenced commercial production after successful trial production and testing in the fourth quarter of 2011.