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Reduce interruptions Boost productivity.

99% of workers are distracted. This is the reality for more than 5,000 office workers around the world that we surveyed this year. More than a third of them are always or very often distracted. Download our eBook to learn more about what's really distracting your teams and what you can do to help.

Spotlight

APTech Group, Inc.

If you’re using solids, you are most likely using APTech solids. If you’re still using liquids, now is the time to consider making the switch — you can get the same water treatment results without handling hazardous chemical drum or paying to ship water. In most cases, solid chemistry for water treatment is superior to the chemistry used in liquids. With solids, you remove the risk of moving dangerous liquid solutions in 30- or 55-gallon drums around work-sites, universities, lodging and other locations. Across the globe, solids provide an effective alternative for treating water where shipping, storage, and handling constraints of liquid chemicals are prohibitive.

OTHER ARTICLES
Chemical Management

Ways Your Chemical Company Can Benefit From Digitization

Article | July 8, 2022

The chemical industry is evolving. The marketing, purchasing, and selling of chemicals are being affected by forces in the market, with digitization unquestionably having the most significant impact. Many of the existing digitizing models have likely already been given some thought and then rejected. Chemical businesses are currently conducting pilot projects or starting to gradually scale up their digital initiatives after moving past the proof-of-concept stage. Although this past year brought many difficulties, it also provided an opportunity to revise and re-evaluate foundations moving forward. The Great Reset, as the World Economic Forum has dubbed this time period, is illuminating how the chemical industry might leverage digital technologies to advance. Whether prompted by governmental requirements or consumer desires, chemical businesses' net-zero ambitions will necessitate new expenditures throughout the whole chemical value chain. As a result, back-office costs must be as efficient as possible to free up money to pay for those investments while keeping a profit. Consumer pull The most essential requirements for the success of a new product are a solid understanding of customer needs and wants, the competitive climate, and the makeup of the market. The primary factors that influence the needs of the consumer are price, timing, and quality. Therefore, companies create ongoing procedures and plans with these three factors in mind to better serve client needs and grow their market share by regularly creating new products. Technology pushes The influence of digital technology is constantly growing. One of the foundational elements of 21st-century sources of growth is data-driven innovation. There are numerous items and procedures in the history of innovation that were the result of an accident or careful forethought. Vast volumes of data, or "big data," are being produced and used as a result of the convergence of numerous phenomena, including the growing migration of socio-economic activities on the Internet and the decline in the cost of data collecting, storage, and processing. Large data sets are becoming an essential resource for the economy, supporting the development of new markets, procedures, and goods while also generating substantial competitive advantages. For example, a billion customers can now access broadband at a reasonable price because of the digital world's supporting infrastructure. In addition, cloud computing and the enormous amount of information processing equipment it needs are developing swiftly, and low-cost connected gadgets are being introduced into every industry. Economic benefits The financial gains that can be realized through digitization are genuine. The new digital technologies and businesses have seen an influx of cash, and the public markets are rewarding early adopters with record values. The effects of digitization are spreading swiftly throughout every business. Digitization is the changing of life and work as a result of new technologies, not only their acceptance. Much like earlier technologies, modern emerging technologies like the cloud and big data quickly become part of businesses' operations. Unknown to many, this is having a much more significant impact on the industry that makes these tools as well as on customers. Digitalization that derives from and includes strategic business objectives can greatly benefit chemical firms. Cost savings of roughly 30 to 40 percent can already be made on average today. Additionally, in certain situations, digitalization aided in improving service quality and affected the bottom line by, for instance, enabling new business models. On average, platform-driven digitization projects pay off after 18 months.

Read More
Chemical Technology

Energy portfolio restructuring: Charting the future

Article | July 20, 2022

Consumer needs and preferences in the energy industry are evolving. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns are becoming more acute—inspiring action and shifting value towards low-carbon solutions. These trends accelerated in 2020 and for the first time, market capitalization of leading low-carbon solutions companies began to overtake those of oil and gas (O&G) majors. This is despite the majors laying out energy transition strategies, setting low carbon energy targets and generating higher revenues by an order of magnitude.1 In response to this radically changing landscape, energy companies are charting divergent courses for their futures. Some continue to bet on their ability to generate returns from the O&G value chain. They are focusing on growing margins and lowering carbon intensity. Others are supplementing their capabilities with low-carbon energy solutions or exiting hydrocarbons altogether. This blog focuses on the path forward for the energy majors in Europe who are betting big on diversification.

Read More
Chemical Management

The Digital Transformation of the Chemical Industry: The Key Trends

Article | July 22, 2021

From novel process technologies to sustainable plastics— the chemical industry is scaling up its digital initiatives. This has opened new doors for organizations to explore opportunities to increase efficiency and streamline the process. Admittedly, the chemical industry has been a little slower in implementing digital transformation. But COVID-19 has vastly increased the momentum of digitization among chemical plants. According to a KPMG survey, 96% of industry CEOs saw digital transformation accelerate in their organizations, with 48 percent saying it advanced by a few years. In addition, according to a recent Manufacturing Leadership Council (MLC) survey, 82% of respondents agreed that the pandemic had "created a new sense of urgency" in driving investment in new technologies and digitalization. Digital transformation solutions offer tremendous potential in the chemical sector. It can play a significant role in driving more value. So let's dig deeper and look at key technologies in bringing digital transformation to the chemical industry. Circular Economy Chemical manufacturers cannot exist within their own four walls any longer. They recognize the importance of working with their customers and other businesses and organizations to conserve resources and protect the environment. Chemical companies may source raw materials from recyclers as part of a circular economy, which necessitates fool proof solutions to confirm their quality and availability. Circular economy consortiums may advocate for reducing environmental threats such as ocean plastics or exposure to hazardous chemicals, opening up new avenues for innovation. Customers are constantly looking for new ways to reduce waste and protect their ecosystems. For example, farmers may benefit from solutions that can instantly analyze soil quality, weather, and crops to determine the best products and schedule for applying fertilizers, crop protectants, or new seeds. Using this data, they use only what they need, generate less waste, and maximize output. Error-Proof Operations Chemical firms are also embracing technology to achieve operational excellence. They've discovered the benefits of using machine learning andIoT technologies to automate standard back-end processes. Technologies such as these reduce the need for human intervention — and thus the possibility of human error. Blockchain technology can also significantly reduce counterfeit chemicals' use, which is especially important for chemical manufacturers who supply products to the pharmaceutical or agricultural industries. In addition, blockchain technology can enable track-and-trace processes that require less work and waste while protecting the enterprise's reputation. Staying Sharp in the Dynamic Market Staying agile in an uncertain M&A environment is a top priority for some businesses. For example, chemical firms must be able to quickly divest assets, adjust portfolios, and adapt operations in response to market changes. Technology can provide executives with the visibility into operations, shipments, and market conditions required to make critical decisions and remain agile. Data Analytics The chemical industry is leveraging cloud-based storage systems to store and share confidential data anytime and anywhere. Additionally, data analytics solutions can analyze all the data effectively to provide valuable insights to the industry. This will help you make meaningful decisions in real-time.

Read More
Chemical Technology

Organic Catalyst Boasts Big Benefits

Article | June 6, 2022

An enzyme-mimicking catalyst opens a new route to important organic molecules such as glycolic acid and amino acids from pyruvate, report researchers in Japan. Moreover, the new catalyst is cheaper, more stable, safer and more environmentally friendly than conventional metal catalysts used in industry, they note, adding that it also displays the high enantioselectivity required by the pharmaceutical industry. “On top of these advantages, our newly developed organic catalyst system also promotes reactions using pyruvate that aren’t easily achievable using metal catalysts,” says Santanu Mondal, a PhD candidate in the chemistry and chemical bioengineering unit at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan, and lead author of a study recently published in Organic Letters. “Organic catalysts, in particular, are set to revolutionize the industry and make chemistry more sustainable,” he stresses. The researchers use an acid and an amine mixture to force the pyruvate to act as an electron donor rather than its usual role as an electron receiver (Figure 1). Effectively mimicking how enzymes work, the amine binds to the pyruvate to make an intermediate molecule. The organic acid then covers up part of the intermediate molecule while leaving another part that can donate electrons free to react to form a new product. Currently, the organic catalyst system only works when reacting pyruvate with a specific class of organic molecule called cyclic imines. So, the researchers now are looking to develop a more-universal catalyst, i.e., one that can speed up reactions between pyruvate and a broad range of organic molecules. The challenge here is to try to make the electron-donating intermediate stage of pyruvate react with other functional groups such as aldehydes and ketones. However, different catalysts create different intermediates, all with different properties. For example, the enamine intermediate created by the researchers’ new reaction only reacts with cyclic imines. Their hypothesis, currently being investigated, is that creation of other intermediates such as an enolate, if possible, would achieve a broader pyruvate reactivity. In terms of cost, the researchers note that a palladium catalyst used in similar reactions is 25 times more expensive than their organic acid — which also is made from eco-friendly quinine. In addition, they believe scale-up of the process for industrial use definitely is possible. However, the researchers caution that the current amine-to-acid-catalyst loading ratio of 1:2 probably would need to be optimized for better results at a larger scale.

Read More
Chemical Management

The Future of Supply Chain Management for Chemical Companies

Article | July 8, 2022

The chemical industry is evolving. The marketing, purchasing, and selling of chemicals are being affected by forces in the market, with digitization unquestionably having the most significant impact. Many of the existing digitizing models have likely already been given some thought and then rejected. Chemical businesses are currently conducting pilot projects or starting to gradually scale up their digital initiatives after moving past the proof-of-concept stage. Although this past year brought many difficulties, it also provided an opportunity to revise and re-evaluate foundations moving forward. The Great Reset, as the World Economic Forum has dubbed this time period, is illuminating how the chemical industry might leverage digital technologies to advance. Whether prompted by governmental requirements or consumer desires, chemical businesses' net-zero ambitions will necessitate new expenditures throughout the whole chemical value chain. As a result, back-office costs must be as efficient as possible to free up money to pay for those investments while keeping a profit. Consumer pull The most essential requirements for the success of a new product are a solid understanding of customer needs and wants, the competitive climate, and the makeup of the market. The primary factors that influence the needs of the consumer are price, timing, and quality. Therefore, companies create ongoing procedures and plans with these three factors in mind to better serve client needs and grow their market share by regularly creating new products. Technology pushes The influence of digital technology is constantly growing. One of the foundational elements of 21st-century sources of growth is data-driven innovation. There are numerous items and procedures in the history of innovation that were the result of an accident or careful forethought. Vast volumes of data, or "big data," are being produced and used as a result of the convergence of numerous phenomena, including the growing migration of socio-economic activities on the Internet and the decline in the cost of data collecting, storage, and processing. Large data sets are becoming an essential resource for the economy, supporting the development of new markets, procedures, and goods while also generating substantial competitive advantages. For example, a billion customers can now access broadband at a reasonable price because of the digital world's supporting infrastructure. In addition, cloud computing and the enormous amount of information processing equipment it needs are developing swiftly, and low-cost connected gadgets are being introduced into every industry. Economic benefits The financial gains that can be realized through digitization are genuine. The new digital technologies and businesses have seen an influx of cash, and the public markets are rewarding early adopters with record values. The effects of digitization are spreading swiftly throughout every business. Digitization is the changing of life and work as a result of new technologies, not only their acceptance. Much like earlier technologies, modern emerging technologies like the cloud and big data quickly become part of businesses' operations. Unknown to many, this is having a much more significant impact on the industry that makes these tools as well as on customers. Digitalization that derives from and includes strategic business objectives can greatly benefit chemical firms. Cost savings of roughly 30 to 40 percent can already be made on average today. Additionally, in certain situations, digitalization aided in improving service quality and affected the bottom line by, for instance, enabling new business models. On average, platform-driven digitization projects pay off after 18 months.

Read More
Chemical Technology

How Leading Chemical Companies Protect Customer Data Online

Article | July 20, 2022

Consumer needs and preferences in the energy industry are evolving. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns are becoming more acute—inspiring action and shifting value towards low-carbon solutions. These trends accelerated in 2020 and for the first time, market capitalization of leading low-carbon solutions companies began to overtake those of oil and gas (O&G) majors. This is despite the majors laying out energy transition strategies, setting low carbon energy targets and generating higher revenues by an order of magnitude.1 In response to this radically changing landscape, energy companies are charting divergent courses for their futures. Some continue to bet on their ability to generate returns from the O&G value chain. They are focusing on growing margins and lowering carbon intensity. Others are supplementing their capabilities with low-carbon energy solutions or exiting hydrocarbons altogether. This blog focuses on the path forward for the energy majors in Europe who are betting big on diversification.

Read More
Chemical Management

Pandemic’s third wave seems unlikely to damage global petrochemicals demand

Article | July 22, 2021

From novel process technologies to sustainable plastics— the chemical industry is scaling up its digital initiatives. This has opened new doors for organizations to explore opportunities to increase efficiency and streamline the process. Admittedly, the chemical industry has been a little slower in implementing digital transformation. But COVID-19 has vastly increased the momentum of digitization among chemical plants. According to a KPMG survey, 96% of industry CEOs saw digital transformation accelerate in their organizations, with 48 percent saying it advanced by a few years. In addition, according to a recent Manufacturing Leadership Council (MLC) survey, 82% of respondents agreed that the pandemic had "created a new sense of urgency" in driving investment in new technologies and digitalization. Digital transformation solutions offer tremendous potential in the chemical sector. It can play a significant role in driving more value. So let's dig deeper and look at key technologies in bringing digital transformation to the chemical industry. Circular Economy Chemical manufacturers cannot exist within their own four walls any longer. They recognize the importance of working with their customers and other businesses and organizations to conserve resources and protect the environment. Chemical companies may source raw materials from recyclers as part of a circular economy, which necessitates fool proof solutions to confirm their quality and availability. Circular economy consortiums may advocate for reducing environmental threats such as ocean plastics or exposure to hazardous chemicals, opening up new avenues for innovation. Customers are constantly looking for new ways to reduce waste and protect their ecosystems. For example, farmers may benefit from solutions that can instantly analyze soil quality, weather, and crops to determine the best products and schedule for applying fertilizers, crop protectants, or new seeds. Using this data, they use only what they need, generate less waste, and maximize output. Error-Proof Operations Chemical firms are also embracing technology to achieve operational excellence. They've discovered the benefits of using machine learning andIoT technologies to automate standard back-end processes. Technologies such as these reduce the need for human intervention — and thus the possibility of human error. Blockchain technology can also significantly reduce counterfeit chemicals' use, which is especially important for chemical manufacturers who supply products to the pharmaceutical or agricultural industries. In addition, blockchain technology can enable track-and-trace processes that require less work and waste while protecting the enterprise's reputation. Staying Sharp in the Dynamic Market Staying agile in an uncertain M&A environment is a top priority for some businesses. For example, chemical firms must be able to quickly divest assets, adjust portfolios, and adapt operations in response to market changes. Technology can provide executives with the visibility into operations, shipments, and market conditions required to make critical decisions and remain agile. Data Analytics The chemical industry is leveraging cloud-based storage systems to store and share confidential data anytime and anywhere. Additionally, data analytics solutions can analyze all the data effectively to provide valuable insights to the industry. This will help you make meaningful decisions in real-time.

Read More
Chemical Technology

Organic Catalyst Boasts Big Benefits

Article | June 6, 2022

An enzyme-mimicking catalyst opens a new route to important organic molecules such as glycolic acid and amino acids from pyruvate, report researchers in Japan. Moreover, the new catalyst is cheaper, more stable, safer and more environmentally friendly than conventional metal catalysts used in industry, they note, adding that it also displays the high enantioselectivity required by the pharmaceutical industry. “On top of these advantages, our newly developed organic catalyst system also promotes reactions using pyruvate that aren’t easily achievable using metal catalysts,” says Santanu Mondal, a PhD candidate in the chemistry and chemical bioengineering unit at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan, and lead author of a study recently published in Organic Letters. “Organic catalysts, in particular, are set to revolutionize the industry and make chemistry more sustainable,” he stresses. The researchers use an acid and an amine mixture to force the pyruvate to act as an electron donor rather than its usual role as an electron receiver (Figure 1). Effectively mimicking how enzymes work, the amine binds to the pyruvate to make an intermediate molecule. The organic acid then covers up part of the intermediate molecule while leaving another part that can donate electrons free to react to form a new product. Currently, the organic catalyst system only works when reacting pyruvate with a specific class of organic molecule called cyclic imines. So, the researchers now are looking to develop a more-universal catalyst, i.e., one that can speed up reactions between pyruvate and a broad range of organic molecules. The challenge here is to try to make the electron-donating intermediate stage of pyruvate react with other functional groups such as aldehydes and ketones. However, different catalysts create different intermediates, all with different properties. For example, the enamine intermediate created by the researchers’ new reaction only reacts with cyclic imines. Their hypothesis, currently being investigated, is that creation of other intermediates such as an enolate, if possible, would achieve a broader pyruvate reactivity. In terms of cost, the researchers note that a palladium catalyst used in similar reactions is 25 times more expensive than their organic acid — which also is made from eco-friendly quinine. In addition, they believe scale-up of the process for industrial use definitely is possible. However, the researchers caution that the current amine-to-acid-catalyst loading ratio of 1:2 probably would need to be optimized for better results at a larger scale.

Read More
MORE ARTICLES

Spotlight

APTech Group, Inc.

If you’re using solids, you are most likely using APTech solids. If you’re still using liquids, now is the time to consider making the switch — you can get the same water treatment results without handling hazardous chemical drum or paying to ship water. In most cases, solid chemistry for water treatment is superior to the chemistry used in liquids. With solids, you remove the risk of moving dangerous liquid solutions in 30- or 55-gallon drums around work-sites, universities, lodging and other locations. Across the globe, solids provide an effective alternative for treating water where shipping, storage, and handling constraints of liquid chemicals are prohibitive.

Related News

Chemical Technology, Raw Materials

Sustainability as a Success Factor: OQ Chemicals Launches Biobased Oxbalance TCD Alcohol DM

Businesswire | June 05, 2023

Global chemical company OQ Chemicals has launched Oxbalance TCD Alcohol DM, a sustainable alternative to conventional TCD Alcohol DM (Tricyclodecane Dimethanol). The ISCC PLUS-certified product is made from more than 70% biobased and biocircular feedstocks. OQ Chemicals recently increased its production capacity for TCD Alcohol DM in 2022 and is now expanding the application range for this product with the biobased variant. Due to its special properties, Oxbalance TCD Alcohol DM is suitable for the production of high-performance technical polymers such as polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyurethanes, as well as for use in adhesives, coatings and paints for the food packaging, electronics, and automotive industries. “Our Oxbalance products provide our customers with a sustainable alternative to conventional fully synthetic products. Certified as biomaterials, they fully meet the specifications and qualities of conventional products without requiring a new approval or qualification. With these products that are mass-balanced according to ISCC PLUS, we offer our customers a solution that meets the growing demand for sustainable raw materials and the increasing requirements for complete transparency in the supply chain. Our customers can switch to our biobased Oxbalance products without compromising on performance or quality,” said David Faust, Executive Vice President Oxo Performance Chemicals at OQ Chemicals. Dr. Oliver Borgmeier, CEO of OQ Chemicals, emphasized: “Oxbalance is our new line of biobased Oxo Performance Chemicals. We are proud to offer our customers sustainable alternatives to conventional fully synthetic products - first Oxbalance Isononanoic Acid and now Oxbalance TCD Alcohol DM. We will continue to expand our biobased portfolio. As an industry partner, we are growing together with our customers and developing sustainable solutions for the global market.” The OxBalance product line uses the ISCC PLUS mass balance approach, which tracks renewable raw materials in chemical manufacturing processes and assigns them to the products. OxBalance is a registered trademark of OQ Chemicals. About OQ Chemicals OQ Chemicals (formerly Oxea) is a global manufacturer of Oxo Intermediates and Oxo Performance Chemicals such as alcohols, polyols, carboxylic acids, specialty esters, and amines. These are used to produce high-quality coatings, lubricants, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, flavors and fragrances, printing inks, and plastics. OQ Chemicals employs more than 1,400 people worldwide and markets its chemicals in more than 60 countries. The company is part of OQ, an integrated energy company originating in Oman. More information is available at chemicals.oq.com.

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Chemical Management

Imperial Petroleum Announces Pricing of Upsized $60 Million Underwritten Public Offering

Imperial Petroleum Inc. | March 21, 2022

Imperial Petroleum Inc. announced the pricing of an upsized underwritten public offering of 37,500,000 units at a price of $1.60 per unit. Each unit consists of one common share and one Class B warrant to purchase one common share, and will immediately separate upon issuance. The gross proceeds of the offering to the Company, before underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, are expected to be approximately $60 million. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for capital expenditures, including acquisitions of additional vessels which we have not yet identified, and for other general corporate purposes. Each Class B warrant is immediately exercisable for one common share at an exercise price of $1.60 per share and will expire five years from issuance. The offering is expected to close on or about March 23, 2022, subject to customary closing conditions. Maxim Group LLC is acting as sole book-running manager in connection with the offering. The Company has granted the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 5,624,950 common shares and/or prefunded warrants and/or 5,624,950 Class B warrants, at the public offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions. The offering is being conducted pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1 previously filed with and subsequently declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 2022 and an additional registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b), which was filed on March 18, 2022 and became effective upon filing. A final prospectus relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the final prospectus relating to this offering, when available, may be obtained from Maxim Group LLC, 300 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10022, at 895-3745. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. ABOUT IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. Imperial Petroleum Inc. is a ship-owning company providing petroleum product and crude oil seaborne transportation services. The Company currently owns three M.R. product tankers and one Aframax oil tanker with a total

Read More

Chemical Management

TRUE VALUE COMPANY ACQUIRES YENKIN-MAJESTIC CONSUMER PAINT BUSINESS

True Value Company | March 15, 2022

True Value Company, one of the world's largest hardlines wholesalers, and The Yenkin-Majestic Paint Corporation, an Ohio-based manufacturer of coatings and coatings resins, announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which True Value Company will acquire Yenkin-Majestic's consumer paint business, producing architectural coatings for home, agricultural, and specialty applications under the Majic brand name. "The acquisition of the Majic portfolio of products is an excellent strategic fit for True Value. The Majic paint brand deepens our strong portfolio of products, which today includes our flagship EasyCare brand, and enhances our capabilities in the agricultural and other specialty segments of the paint industry. Customers of both companies will benefit from the higher levels of investment that True Value plans to make in research and development, as well as improving supply chain resiliency and customer support." John Vanderpool, Division President, True Value Manufacturing & General Paint Chris Kempa, CEO of True Value Company said, "This acquisition is another example of True Value's commitment to investing in its business, aggressively pursuing growth and ensuring that our retailers have what they need to win in the marketplace." "True Value's focus on quality and service to paint retailers, and their commitment to the associates who power our organizations, mirror our company culture as a family-owned business," said Yenkin-Majestic President and CEO Andrew O. Smith. "True Value has been a respected partner of ours for many years, and we know they will take the Majic product line to new heights. We can think of no finer company to carry forward the legacy of our consumer paint business." He added, "This transaction also allows us to focus our resources and reinvest in our polymers business." About True Value Company True Value Company, headquartered in Chicago, is one of the world's leading hardlines wholesalers with a globally recognized brand and over 70 years of experience serving independent hardware retailers. True Value Company provides its customers in over 60 countries an expansive product set of market-customized assortments at highly competitive prices, superior product availability, innovative marketing programs and a la carte value-added services like eCommerce ship-to-store, store remodel support and True Value University, all within a flexible model that requires no membership. With 13 regional distribution centers, and approximately 2,500 associates serving over 4,500 stores, True Value Company celebrates independence and drives retail excellence across the U.S. and internationally. About Yenkin-Majestic The Yenkin-Majestic Paint Corporation, based in Columbus, OH, is the owner of OPC Polymers, one of North America's leading suppliers of coatings resins. OPC Polymers serves the paint industry through continuous innovation in its broad portfolio of alkyd, copolymer, and specialty resins. This family-owned business began in 1920.

Read More

Chemical Technology, Raw Materials

Sustainability as a Success Factor: OQ Chemicals Launches Biobased Oxbalance TCD Alcohol DM

Businesswire | June 05, 2023

Global chemical company OQ Chemicals has launched Oxbalance TCD Alcohol DM, a sustainable alternative to conventional TCD Alcohol DM (Tricyclodecane Dimethanol). The ISCC PLUS-certified product is made from more than 70% biobased and biocircular feedstocks. OQ Chemicals recently increased its production capacity for TCD Alcohol DM in 2022 and is now expanding the application range for this product with the biobased variant. Due to its special properties, Oxbalance TCD Alcohol DM is suitable for the production of high-performance technical polymers such as polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyurethanes, as well as for use in adhesives, coatings and paints for the food packaging, electronics, and automotive industries. “Our Oxbalance products provide our customers with a sustainable alternative to conventional fully synthetic products. Certified as biomaterials, they fully meet the specifications and qualities of conventional products without requiring a new approval or qualification. With these products that are mass-balanced according to ISCC PLUS, we offer our customers a solution that meets the growing demand for sustainable raw materials and the increasing requirements for complete transparency in the supply chain. Our customers can switch to our biobased Oxbalance products without compromising on performance or quality,” said David Faust, Executive Vice President Oxo Performance Chemicals at OQ Chemicals. Dr. Oliver Borgmeier, CEO of OQ Chemicals, emphasized: “Oxbalance is our new line of biobased Oxo Performance Chemicals. We are proud to offer our customers sustainable alternatives to conventional fully synthetic products - first Oxbalance Isononanoic Acid and now Oxbalance TCD Alcohol DM. We will continue to expand our biobased portfolio. As an industry partner, we are growing together with our customers and developing sustainable solutions for the global market.” The OxBalance product line uses the ISCC PLUS mass balance approach, which tracks renewable raw materials in chemical manufacturing processes and assigns them to the products. OxBalance is a registered trademark of OQ Chemicals. About OQ Chemicals OQ Chemicals (formerly Oxea) is a global manufacturer of Oxo Intermediates and Oxo Performance Chemicals such as alcohols, polyols, carboxylic acids, specialty esters, and amines. These are used to produce high-quality coatings, lubricants, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, flavors and fragrances, printing inks, and plastics. OQ Chemicals employs more than 1,400 people worldwide and markets its chemicals in more than 60 countries. The company is part of OQ, an integrated energy company originating in Oman. More information is available at chemicals.oq.com.

Read More

Chemical Management

Imperial Petroleum Announces Pricing of Upsized $60 Million Underwritten Public Offering

Imperial Petroleum Inc. | March 21, 2022

Imperial Petroleum Inc. announced the pricing of an upsized underwritten public offering of 37,500,000 units at a price of $1.60 per unit. Each unit consists of one common share and one Class B warrant to purchase one common share, and will immediately separate upon issuance. The gross proceeds of the offering to the Company, before underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, are expected to be approximately $60 million. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for capital expenditures, including acquisitions of additional vessels which we have not yet identified, and for other general corporate purposes. Each Class B warrant is immediately exercisable for one common share at an exercise price of $1.60 per share and will expire five years from issuance. The offering is expected to close on or about March 23, 2022, subject to customary closing conditions. Maxim Group LLC is acting as sole book-running manager in connection with the offering. The Company has granted the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 5,624,950 common shares and/or prefunded warrants and/or 5,624,950 Class B warrants, at the public offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions. The offering is being conducted pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form F-1 previously filed with and subsequently declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 2022 and an additional registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b), which was filed on March 18, 2022 and became effective upon filing. A final prospectus relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the final prospectus relating to this offering, when available, may be obtained from Maxim Group LLC, 300 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10022, at 895-3745. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. ABOUT IMPERIAL PETROLEUM INC. Imperial Petroleum Inc. is a ship-owning company providing petroleum product and crude oil seaborne transportation services. The Company currently owns three M.R. product tankers and one Aframax oil tanker with a total

Read More

Chemical Management

TRUE VALUE COMPANY ACQUIRES YENKIN-MAJESTIC CONSUMER PAINT BUSINESS

True Value Company | March 15, 2022

True Value Company, one of the world's largest hardlines wholesalers, and The Yenkin-Majestic Paint Corporation, an Ohio-based manufacturer of coatings and coatings resins, announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which True Value Company will acquire Yenkin-Majestic's consumer paint business, producing architectural coatings for home, agricultural, and specialty applications under the Majic brand name. "The acquisition of the Majic portfolio of products is an excellent strategic fit for True Value. The Majic paint brand deepens our strong portfolio of products, which today includes our flagship EasyCare brand, and enhances our capabilities in the agricultural and other specialty segments of the paint industry. Customers of both companies will benefit from the higher levels of investment that True Value plans to make in research and development, as well as improving supply chain resiliency and customer support." John Vanderpool, Division President, True Value Manufacturing & General Paint Chris Kempa, CEO of True Value Company said, "This acquisition is another example of True Value's commitment to investing in its business, aggressively pursuing growth and ensuring that our retailers have what they need to win in the marketplace." "True Value's focus on quality and service to paint retailers, and their commitment to the associates who power our organizations, mirror our company culture as a family-owned business," said Yenkin-Majestic President and CEO Andrew O. Smith. "True Value has been a respected partner of ours for many years, and we know they will take the Majic product line to new heights. We can think of no finer company to carry forward the legacy of our consumer paint business." He added, "This transaction also allows us to focus our resources and reinvest in our polymers business." About True Value Company True Value Company, headquartered in Chicago, is one of the world's leading hardlines wholesalers with a globally recognized brand and over 70 years of experience serving independent hardware retailers. True Value Company provides its customers in over 60 countries an expansive product set of market-customized assortments at highly competitive prices, superior product availability, innovative marketing programs and a la carte value-added services like eCommerce ship-to-store, store remodel support and True Value University, all within a flexible model that requires no membership. With 13 regional distribution centers, and approximately 2,500 associates serving over 4,500 stores, True Value Company celebrates independence and drives retail excellence across the U.S. and internationally. About Yenkin-Majestic The Yenkin-Majestic Paint Corporation, based in Columbus, OH, is the owner of OPC Polymers, one of North America's leading suppliers of coatings resins. OPC Polymers serves the paint industry through continuous innovation in its broad portfolio of alkyd, copolymer, and specialty resins. This family-owned business began in 1920.

Read More

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