Materials 
The value of the global carbon nanotubes market was an estimated $104m in 2009, and is expected to increase to $167m by the end of 2010, according to BCC Research. The US group is forecasting a compound annual growth rate of 58.9% for the market, which would make it worth nearly $1.1bn in 2015.
11 March 2010
As expected, Reliance Industries’ $14.5bn bid to buy LyondellBasell Industries has been rejected. The debtors said the bid was not higher than LyondellBasell's reorganization plan.
10 March 2010
Bayer MaterialScience (BMS) is acquiring the US-based Artificial Muscle, a manufacturer of electroactive polymers for the consumer electronics industry, for an undisclosed sum.
10 March 2010
German chemicals and renewable energies company Evonik Industries has strengthened its polymers business with the acquisition of UK chemical separation product specialist Membrane Extraction Technology (MET).
9 March 2010
China’s Wanhua Industrial group has won the option to take over the Hungarian PVC group BorsodChem within two years in return for providing €140m to help fund the indebted chemical firm’s expansion.
8 March 2010
Ineos, the world's third largest chemical group, is considering a relocation of its headquarters and tax residence from the UK to Switzerland. It said potential cash tax savings would be €450m between now and 2014 if it went ahead with the move, but said it would remain committed to its UK businesses.
5 March 2010
Ambler Technologies, based in Rochdale, has designed and produced a chair for Trelleborg Advanced Engineering Materials. The materials group commissioned the chair to showcase its new TB400 low-density epoxy tooling board, in particular to illustrate its machinability and finish quality.
4 March 2010
The body encouraging development of more environmentally friendly buildings in Australia has revised its previously negative view on PVC materials.
4 March 2010
Aquafil Engineering Plastics of Italy has signed a distribution deal with United Polymers for supply of its products in the UK market.
3 March 2010
Dow Chemical has announced it is to sell its Styron division to US private equity group Bain Capital Partners for $1.63bn.
3 March 2010
Lanxess has adjusted its earnings forecast for the 2009 financial year after having a significantly better-than-expected fourth quarter.
2 March 2010
Flexible film packaging prices are set to rise in the UK, as increases in raw material costs can no longer be absorbed by producers, says the Packaging and Films Association. Polymer prices are continuing to rise.
2 March 2010
Bayer MaterialScience has announced a €150m investment in a new high-tech production plant for TDI, a precursor for the production of polyurethane flexible foam. The new plant at Chempark Dormagen in Germany will have a capacity of 300,000tpa and will replace its existing plants in Dormagen and Brunsbüttel.
2 March 2010
US-based Solutia has agreed to buy German specialty polymer materials company Etimex Solar, which is controlled by private equity group Alpha Gruppe.
2 March 2010
British Polythene Industries (BPI) has reported a 200% jump in pre-tax profits for 2009 – £11.8m, up from £3.9m in 2008. The results are partly due to cost reductions and a restructuring that saw the closure of its Stockton operation.
1 March 2010
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