Italy

May 20, 2026 - The new Core Transformation Office will coordinate cross-unit projects in Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions and Nutrition & Care.

  • Aequita forms Velogy with LYB and Sabic assets
    The new company is expected to integrate LyondellBasell’s and Sabic’s European petrochemicals and polyolefins operations.
  • Westlake in talks for Vynova site
    The non-binding agreement covers vinyl chloride monomer and suspension PVC plants in Germany.
  • Lone Star takes over Radici and DOMO engineering plastics
    The acquisition of the Italian group’s businesses has been completed, while a binding agreement has been signed for the Belgian group’s Engineered Materials.
  • NatureWorks officially opens PLA facility in Asia
    Located within the Nakhon Sawan BioComplex in Thailand, the facility can produce up to 75,000 metric tons per year of Ingeo-branded polylactic acid.
  • Versalis’ Brindisi cracker could be sold
    During a meeting at Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, ENI announced that it had selected an international adviser for the “mothballed activities”.

PVC cables and pipes join VinylPlus

May 15, 2026 - The PVC4Cables and PVC4Pipes platforms are being integrated into the European PVC industry’s voluntary commitment.

Shell modernizes Moerdijk cracker

May 14, 2026 - Technip Energies has completed the Skyline project, halving the number of furnaces while maintaining ethylene capacity.

Trinseo to restructure under Chapter 11

May 14, 2026 - The US company has reached an agreement with its key lenders and aims to emerge quickly from the process while maintaining business continuity.

Wacker agrees job cuts in Germany

May 14, 2026 - The PACE program provides for around 1,600 job reductions through voluntary measures and a temporary solidarity contribution.

Mitsubishi Chemical exits PBS production

May 14, 2026 - The Japanese group will shut down its Thai BioPBS plant and dissolve the PTT MCC Biochem joint venture.

MOST POPULAR

Trinseo restructures in Europe

October 13, 2025 - Rho and Porto Marghera sites in Italy to close by year-end; polystyrene production in Schkopau also under review.

EU industry plan sidelines chemicals

March 6, 2026 - The sector is mentioned among energy-intensive industries only as a possible candidate for a later extension of the Act’s Made in EU measures. Cefic and Plastics Europe respond.

Mitsubishi Chemical exits PBS production

May 14, 2026 - The Japanese group will shut down its Thai BioPBS plant and dissolve the PTT MCC Biochem joint venture.

Electrolux cuts 1,700 jobs in Italy

May 12, 2026 - The Swedish group’s restructuring plan affects all five plants in the country, with the Cerreto d’Esi site reportedly set to close.

PPWR exemption published in the Official Journal

May 19, 2026 - The measure exempts certain pallet packaging operators from the 100% reuse obligation for stretch films and strapping.

EVENTS

Milan, 9–12 June 2026

Plast 2026: free registration opens 2 March

Visitor sign-up for the Milan triennial on plastics, rubber and composites begins in ten days.

Friedrichshafen Oct. 12–16, 2026

Plastics fair Fakuma confirms Friedrichshafen

With strong exhibitor interest and regional support, the event will remain at its traditional Lake Constance location for at least five more years.

Lone Star combines DOMO EM with RadiciGroup

May 12, 2026 - The fund has completed the acquisition of the Belgian group’s engineering plastics business, creating a new European platform in polyamide compounds.

Celanese reshapes nylon operations

May 8, 2026 - The company is repositioning its global polymerization network to improve supply chain efficiency, performance and operational agility.

Engel tackles crisis with dual-brand strategy

May 8, 2026 - The Austrian injection moulding machine manufacturer is seeking to address the sector’s structural challenges through internationalisation and portfolio diversification.

Trexel and Roctool join forces

May 8, 2026 - By combining their respective MuCell and Heat & Cool technologies, the companies will be able to mould lightweight components with high surface quality.