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
Private equity investor Cinven is acquiring MBCC Group’s admixture business from Swiss construction chemicals major Sika on the rebound. Earlier, the British Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had turned thumbs down on plans to sell the business to Ineos, citing antitrust concerns.
Air Liquide S.A. (Paris) announced the construction of an industrial scale ammonia (NH3) cracking pilot plant in the port of Antwerp, Belgium. When transformed into ammonia, hydrogen can be easily transported over long distances.
Huhtamaki receives a gold medal from EcoVadis on its sustainability performance – for the third year running. Its score places Huhtamaki in the top 4% of over 100,000 rated companies across the globe. EcoVadis is the world’s largest and most trusted business sustainability index.
