NEWS


Lati starts JV with Loxim


Lati and Loxim, an Indian manufacturer of dyes, polymers, and com- pounds, have launched a joint venture (JV) aimed at strengthening the pres- ence of both companies in the Indian market. The agreement follows the spin-off of Loxim’s Engineering Compounds division and the formation of a new entity, Lati-Loxim Thermoplastics. The new company will combine Lati’s technological know-how with Loxim’s strong local presence, well-established position in the automotive and electrical markets, and extensive business network. Loxim operates a


20,000 tonnes/yr capacity plant in Sanand, in the Indian state of Gujarat. Michela Conterno, CEO


of Lati, said that by combining the two companies’ strengths, the JV will be able to offer advanced solutions with with a high level of quality and service. �www.lati.com �www.loxim.com


Premix secures US supply chain with new plant


Finnish electrically conduc- tive polymer compound producer Premix Group has opened a manufacturing facility in Apple Creek, North Carolina, US. The facility – which benefited from a $79m investment from the US Department of Health and Human Services – will produce Premix’s advanced PE and PP-based com- pounds and concentrates for extrusion and injection moulding applications from US-sourced raw materials. The group said this repre-


sents a major step in securing the domestic supply chain for critical diagnostics and other high-impact applications. “These materials enable


high-precision liquid level sensing in diagnostic testing, and safer handling, transport, and storage by protecting against uncon- trolled electrostatic dis- charges, a critical require- ment in electronics, industrial packaging, diagnostics, and other high-performance applica- tions,” said Jaakko Aho,


CEO of Premix Group. “Establishing a manufactur- ing presence in the United States is about more than production, it’s about building resilient supply chains and trusted partner- ships.”


With the new Apple


Creek plant, Premix expects to be able to deliver locally manufactured products with shorter lead times, a smaller carbon footprint, and enhanced supply chain security, to the US market, said the group. �www.premixgroup.com


LYB to sell European assets


LyondellBasell has entered into negotiations with German industrial group Aequita regarding the sale of four of its olefins/ polyolefins assets and associated business as part of its European strategic assessment. The sites to be sold are located in Berre, France; Münchsmünster, Germany; Carrington, UK; and Tarragona, Spain.


“Europe remains a core


market for LYB and one we will continue to participate in following this transaction with more of a focus on value creation through establishing profitable leadership in circular and renewable solutions,” said Peter Vanacker, CEO of LYB. The assets and business to be acquired by Aequita include integrated and


non-integrated sites within LYB’s European olefins and polyolefins business, as well as supporting central functions based at the company’s Rotterdam headquarters and various other locations. Closing of the proposed transaction is expected in the first half of 2026. �www.lyondellbasell.com �www.aequita.com


Biesterfeld reshapes group business structure


International materials distributor Biesterfeld Group has restructured into seven business units to help accelerate its global growth trajectory. A particular focus has been placed


on the reorganisation of its polymers business, which in future will be developed in the Standard Polymers, Engineered Polymers, and Performance Polymers business units, with the


8 COMPOUNDING WORLD | July 2025


Medical Polymers business being integrated into the HealthCare business unit. Each polymer business will have its own global business director. “The market situation is still very tense worldwide and the chemical industry is in a state of upheaval,” said Stephan Glander, CEO of Biesterfeld. “With the realignment of our polymers business, we are acting in an even more


customer-centric way and can adapt more flexibly to market dynamics.” The family-owned company has


already bundled its specialty chemicals business in the Consumer (LifeScience, Nutrition, Essentials), Industrial (Performance Products, CASE, Polymer Additives) and HealthCare business units. �www.biesterfeld.com


www.compoundingworld.com


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