Commitment to sustainable recycling - Cheri Scholtz, CEO of PETCO

South Africa has one of the highest recycling rates in the world at 60% The plastics industry is one of the most active endorser of recycling in its high-growth industrial sector. International Plastics News – Middle East and Africa (IRNEA) talks to Cheri Scholtz, CEO of PETCO on the company's operations and how it supports the drive towards sustainable production.

Clariant invests in polypropylene catalyst

Clariant's Business Unit Catalysts has signed long-term cooperation agreements with CB&I's Lummus Novolen Technology GmbH business unit.

DuPont opens Knowledge Centre in India

Expanding its integrated science capabilities at the DuPont Knowledge Centre in Hyderabad, India, DuPont opened an Application Development Centre focused on integrating advanced material science with other scientific disciplines for the automotive industry, enabling solutions for lightweighting, engine performance, comfort and safety.

Thomas Kehl is new President of Coperion

Coperion GmbH has announced that Thomas Kehl will take over as president and chairman of the executive board effective immediately.

Dow expands with 2 new sites

As part of its focused investment strategy on the U.S. Gulf Coast to integrate advantaged shale gas, The Dow Chemical Company announced the locations for expanding four of its leading brand franchises in Texas and Louisiana.

AkzoNobel to phase out production at Deventer site by 2016

AkzoNobel plans to phase out the production of organic peroxides at its site in Deventer, the Netherlands by the end of 2016.

Global electro-active polymers market at $3.4 billion by 2017

According to a new market research report, "Global Electroactive Polymers Market Trends, Applications and Forecasts (2012 - 2017)" published by MarketsandMarkets, the total market for Electro-active Polymers is expected to reach $3.4 billion by 2017.

Little nails, big business

Due to the affordability of nail polish and new product innovations, the nail polish category are especially popular among younger girls.

Global TPE demand rising by 5.5% p.a.

Global demand for thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) is forecast to rise 5.5% annually to 5.8 million metric tonnes in 2017, according to a study by the Freedonia Group.

TPI to supply Nordex with wind blades

TPI Composites signed a multiyear supply agreement with Nordex SE to provide blades for the N117 wind turbine from TPI's factory in Izmir, Turkey. Nordex intends to use these blades for projects in Turkey as well as for export to other locations in the greater European region, northern Africa and the Middle East.

Sasol exits from Iranian joint venture

Sasol Investment Company (Pty) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sasol, entered into a definitive sale and share purchase agreement with Main Street 1095 (Pty) Limited, a South African subsidiary of an Iranian investor, for the sale of 100% of the shares of SPI International (Pty) Limited.

Evonik operates extrusion plant in South Africa

Evonik Acrylics Africa (EEA) is producing extruded PLEXIGLAS? sheets in Elandsfontein, Johannesburg. With an initial number of 20 employees and a new extrusion facility, several thousand metric tonnes of semi-finished material will be produced per year for the African market.