NEWS
New partnership to boost biphenol supply in China
US-based SI Group and Chinese speciality chemical producer Shengxi- ao Group have formed a joint venture to accelerate additional capacity of biphenol in China. Biphenol is an important monomer used in liquid crystal polymers (LCP), polyphe- nylenesulfone (PPSU), and other applications. The arrangement positions both partners to support growing demand across sectors including electronics, automotive, and medical, where high-performance materials are essential to next-genera- tion applications. “This joint venture advances SI
Group’s growth strategy and strength- ens our ability to serve customers in key markets around the world,” said David Bradley, President and CEO of SI Group. “Through the formation of Shengnova Advanced Materials, we
Representatives from Shengxiao Group and SI Group at the joint venture signing
are expanding our ability to competi- tively supply biphenol to customers in Asia while continuing production at our Newport, Tennessee facility. This positions SI Group to better serve global customers, support growing regional demand, and reinforce security of supply through a multi- region production footprint.”
Operational change at Sikora
Christian Frank, General Manager at Sikora, has handed over operational responsibility as CEO to Alaaddin Aydin. “By arranging the succes-
sion early, we are creating continuity and ensuring that Sikora can consistently continue its successful path,”
said Frank. “At the same time, I am looking forward to focusing more on the strategic development of the company and new growth opportunities.” Frank will focus on
strategic development, ensuring a smooth transi- tion, and potential acquisi-
tions and growth initiatives within the management team, while Aydin will take over all business units previously managed by Frank and be responsible for their further development. Aydin will remain Vice President of Maag Germany. �
https://sikora.net
Maag acquires die maker Cloeren
Maag Group, which is owned by Dover Corpora- tion, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire US-based Cloeren, which produces extrusion dies and other equipment. The strategic acquisition will add complementary extrusion
8
technologies to Maag’s plastics processing tech- nologies, the company said. Cloeren designs and manufactures custom-de- signed extrusion slot dies and feedblocks primarily for polymer and plastics applications. It is based in
COMPOUNDING WORLD | August 2026
Orange, Texas near North America’s petrochemical and energy export hub, with additional manufacturing locations in Marshall, Texas; Eau Claire, Wisconsin; and Micheldorf, Austria. �
www.maag.com �
https://cloeren.com
Based in Sichuan, China, Sheng-
nova Advanced Materials combines Shengxiao Group’s established biphenol manufacturing assets and regional market access with SI Group’s proprietary technology and global expertise. �
www.siigroup.com �
www.shengxiaochemical.com
IN BRIEF...
Westlake Vinnolit, Westlake Corporation’s German subsidiary, has completed the acquisition of a previously insolvent PVC and vinyl chloride monomer production site in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, which has the capacity to produce 380,000 tonnes/yr of PVC.
www.westlake.com
Albis is expanding its portfolio in Vietnam with plastics from BASF including Ultramid, Ultradur, Ultraform and Ultrason for automotive, electrical and electronics, and consumer goods applications.
www.albis.com
www.compoundingworld.com
IMAGE: SI GROUP
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
