Solvay and Eastman Chemical Company have signed a definitive agreement to end their cellulose acetate production joint venture Primester with Solvay acquiring Eastman’s 50 percent stake in the U.S.-based plant and becoming its sole owner.
“After our partnership of 25 years, this agreement allows Solvay to continue securing the most economical long term supply of cellulose acetate flake for its own tow business in Germany, Brazil and Russia, while adapting capacity to demand,” said Philippe Rosier, President of Solvay Global Business Unit Acetow.
Following the transaction, Eastman will provide the long-term supply of basic utilities and raw materials to the plant, based in Kingsport, Tennessee.
Closing should occur in the second quarter of 2016, subject to customary regulatory approvals.
Source: Solvay
Neste has bought the European rights for Alterra Energy’s liquefaction technology, strengthening its chemical recycling capabilities. Alterra is a US-based company that has developed a thermochemical solution for liquefying difficult-to-recycle plastics.
Lonza appoints Maria Soler Nunez as Head, Group Operations. Maria joins Lonza from Novartis where she has led the quality organization since 2020. Maria will commence her tenure with Lonza Group on 1 August 2022, succeeding Stefan Stoffel, who is retiring from Lonza.
AkzoNobel has announced that Gregoire Poux-Guillaume will become the company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as of November 1, 2022. He will succeed Thierry Vanlancker, who has been CEO and member of the Board of Management since 2017, and whose term of office is coming to an end.