NEWS


SI Group moves ahead following restructure


Polymer additive and chemical intermediate manufacturer SI Group has appointed a new board of directors following the completion of a compre- hensive restructure last year. Members of the new board were appointed by the company’s new institutional ownership group in collabo- ration with its executive leadership team. David Bradley, President and CEO of SI Group, said: “Our new board brings their deep operational and industry expertise, along with a shared commitment to creating differential value for our customers


and shareholders.” The board will be comprised of Shawn Abrams, Luis Fernandez- Moreno, Daryl Roberts, Jan Trnka-Amrhein, and David Bradley, all of whom currently serve on other boards and have chemical industry experience. In December 2025, a


comprehensive recapitalization transaction supported by its lenders and equity partners reduced SI Group’s net debt by over 80%. The new ownership group has injected $150m of new capital, which will enable SI Group to fund the company’s working capital


needs, invest in key operational initiatives, and accelerate growth to serve the needs of its customers and business partners. In another announcement,


SI Group said it has estab- lished a joint venture with Shengxiao Group to acceler- ate a capacity expansion in China for biphenol, an important monomer used in liquid crystal polymers (LCP), polyphenylenesulfone (PPSU), and other applica- tions. The JV is responding to growing demand high-per- formance materials across sectors including electronics, automotive, and medical. �www.siigroup.com


Ystral unveils new trial centre


German machine and systems manufacturer Ystral has invested €1.8m in a new trial centre at its headquar- ters in Ballrechten-Dottin- gen, enabling it to conduct more customer trials and process a broader range of raw materials. The machines


used there are ATEX-compli- ant and the facility meets the requirements of water and explosion protection laws. The company says it can


provide ATEX-compliant test machines and systems (skidded units) on a rental basis, and customers can


seek advice from company experts harnessing data from thousands of success- ful trials which can be used to generate detailed reports. It can also advise on scale-up and optimal machine configuration. � https://ystral.com


New SVHC- free flame retardant


Clariant has launched an SVHC-free alternative to its existing Exolit AP 422 flame retardant, which it is describing as a safer solution that provides superior fire resistance while meeting the strin- gent demands of modern industries. “Exolit AP 422 A upholds the trusted reliability that Exolit products are recog- nised for in the market and ensures that our clients’ fire protection offerings remain competitive, particularly in terms of chemical compli- ance,” said Sebastian Moschel, Clariant’s Techni- cal Business Development Manager Passive Fire Protection. In anticipation of challenges around melamine, which was classified as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) in 2023, Clariant says it has been proactively working on this solution for several years developing an alternative to Exolit AP 422. �www.clariant.com


Get your hands on the World Cup


Football fans can mark the FIFA World Cup 2026 by constructing their own plastic version of the trophy. The 2,842-piece Lego Editions official replica trophy is a 1:1 scale model which boasts a metallic gold finish with a distinctive spiral design, and features a hidden compartment housing a micro-scale scene and a branded minifigure. Retailing in the UK for £159.99, it would be much cheaper than purchasing a Category 1 (Premium GA) ticket for the World Cup final at the MetLife Stadium (rebranded the New York New


10 COMPOUNDING WORLD | July 2026


Jersey Stadium for the tournament), which at $10,990 is reportedly the most expensive general admission price ever set for a football match. Fans can also participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Experience at Legoland Windsor Resort in Berkshire, UK, which runs until 19 July (the day of the final). At this attraction, visitors are able to score goals against a Lego minifigure, meet life-sized football legends in brick form, and build their dream kits. � www.lego.com


www.compoundingworld.com


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