The ChemQuest Group Acquires Powder Coating Research Group

PCR Group has the ability to create novel powder coatings that can now be applied at the ChemQuest Technology Institute (CQTI) in a replicate manufacturing environment. Founder and CEO Kevin Biller said, “We are looking forward to capitalizing on the synergies between the two organizations. By combining ChemQuest’s extraordinary market reach and CQTI’s world class application facilities with PCR Group’s vast experience and industry presence, we foresee an amazing future.”

“It is my pleasure to announce the acquisition of PCR Group, an organization I have admired for many years. Kevin Biller and his team are consummate professionals. Both are innovative organizations with deep knowledge of history and a strong view of the future. We parallel each other in our approach to clients and delivering on our promises. These are synergies people say they want but rarely get in a merger or acquisition,” said ChemQuest CEO Dan Murad.

Michelman’s Workplace Culture Honored Worldwide

CINCINNATI – Michelman recently announced that its workplace culture of giving, success and curiosity has been honored worldwide. The company has sponsored events in the Americas, Asia and Europe, and was recognized for an employee skills development program in its Asia-Pacific division.

In the Americas, where Michelman is gearing up for the upcoming United Way of Greater Cincinnati (UWGC) campaign, associates exceeded their 2020 campaign pledge goal, and repeated as one of the top-25 largest corporate, retiree and employee campaign contributors. Additionally, it was one of five businesses in the region recognized with a Corporate Hero award for commitment to voluntarism during the COVID-19 pandemic. “These honors land squarely on the shoulders of our associates,” said Steve Shifman, Michelman's President & CEO and UWGC’s current Board Chair. “I am grateful for and proud of our associates who donated thousands of dollars and safely volunteered thousands of hours during this extended pandemic. Their efforts truly exemplify our company's core value of giving.”

Additionally, Michelman EMEA has been successfully certified as a Great Place to Work^® in Luxembourg. Nearly 90% of the region's associates participated in the engagement survey, and of those, 84% consider Michelman a great place to work, and 89% recognize the company's effective management of the COVID-19 crisis.

SkillsFuture SG recently recognized Michelman Asia-Pacific (MAP) for being a champion of employee skills development and building a culture of lifelong learning. Phillip Choo Peng Leong, the region's Vice President & Managing Director, was honored with the SkillsFuture Fellowship Award for those who dedicate themselves to honing their skills, developing new ones, and inspiring others.

“These awards recognize the region's commitment to our core value of curiosity and the constant pursuit of knowledge,” explained Kreg Keesee, Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President, Coatings, “MAP has upskilled and deep-skilled more than 60% of its associates through SIMTech’s LEAN program to support its digital and advanced manufacturing initiatives. They have developed a training roadmap to provide associates opportunities to learn and immerse themselves in the latest industry trends.”

The company is also celebrating its 10^th annual Commitment to Community Day on Sept. 24, 2021. This annual global day of service sees over 400 associates volunteer their time at various charitable and non-profit organizations throughout the United States, Belgium, Luxembourg, Japan, Singapore and China. The company shuts down its operations for an entire day to support the communities where they live and operate.

NatureWorks Passes Final Authorization Milestone for Manufacturing Plant in Thailand  

MINNETONKA, MN – Continuing its global manufacturing expansion plan, NatureWorks, a leading manufacturer of low-carbon polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers made from renewable resources, has obtained final authorization from parent companies — GC International Corp. Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of PTT Global Chemical Public Co. Ltd. (GC), and Cargill Inc. (Cargill) — to build a new Ingeo™ PLA manufacturing complex in Thailand. NatureWorks plans to invest in excess of $600 million to construct the complex, which will include production sites for lactic acid, lactide and polymer, making it reportedly the world’s first PLA facility designed to be fully integrated.

Dr. Kongrapan Intarajang, CEO of GC, said, “GC, Thailand's leading chemical company and the world's leading environmentally friendly bio-chemical producer, is committed to operating in accordance with sustainability guidelines and circular economy principles. Sustainability creates balanced growth in economic, social and environmental dimensions, driven by the framework of the SDGs. Today, GC and Cargill, joint owners of NatureWorks, the top PLA biopolymer manufacturer globally, are ready to expand investment in the biochemical sector following the BOI’s investment promotion approval of NatureWorks.”

Construction of the new manufacturing complex, to be located at the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex in Nakhon Sawan Province, will begin in the second quarter of 2022. With an expected opening in 2024, the facility will have an annual capacity of 75,000 tons of Ingeo biopolymer and produce the full portfolio of Ingeo grades.

“Thanks to the ongoing support of our parent companies, our plans for a second Ingeo PLA manufacturing location continue to progress,” said Rich Altice, President and CEO of NatureWorks. “This authorization was an important milestone that ensures we will be ready to begin construction in 2022 on an integrated manufacturing complex that will help us address the increasing global market demand for sustainable materials.”

Ravago Holdings America Inc. Acquires Specialty Chemical Distributors  

ORLANDO, FL – Ravago Holdings America Inc. (RHA) recently announced the acquisition of Specialty Chemical Sales (SCS) of Cleveland, Ohio, and JF Shelton (JFS) of Seattle, Washington. Both SCS and JF Shelton are leading distributors to the paint, coatings, adhesive and polymer markets in North America. Both SCS and JFS will continue to be led by their current management teams and run as separate businesses in RHA’s subsidiary, Ravago Chemical Distribution Inc. (Ravago Chemicals).

The VP of Sales for JF Shelton, Brad Campbell, commented, “We are very excited to be joining Ravago’s ever-growing family of companies. Their global reach and their position as an industry leader will help to better serve and supply our customers on the West Coast.”

“We are excited to acquire two businesses with strong reputations and demonstrated success of putting employees and customers first,” said Jim Duffy, CEO of RHA. “These companies complement our growing specialty chemical distribution business and help us strengthen our North American footprint.”

“The resources and acumen of Ravago behind the established path of SCS will create an environment to provide our customers and principals with even greater access to services in specialty chemical distribution. We are excited to create and expand opportunities for all our relationships,” said Steve Strongosky, Chief Executive Officer of SCS.

Nouryon Receives 2021 EcoVadis Gold Rating for Sustainability Achievements  

AMSTERDAM – Nouryon has been awarded a Gold rating by EcoVadis for its sustainability achievements, placing Nouryon in the top 3% of more than 75,000 companies assessed by the global sustainability ratings provider. Nouryon achieved strong scores in all assessed areas, including environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.

“We are thrilled with our Gold rating and that we saw our scores increase this year — particularly when it comes to our environmental practices. This ranking clearly confirms that we are doing the right thing and that we are succeeding in driving sustainable progress,” said Vivi Hollertt, Chief Sustainability and Communications Officer at Nouryon.

“Sustainability is a key business driver for Nouryon, and we know that our customers also care deeply about sustainability,” said Charlie Shaver, Chairman and CEO of Nouryon. “This EcoVadis Gold rating affirms that we are making progress as a top-quartile people safety performer, in further reducing our environmental footprint and in providing sustainable solutions to our customers. We are proud of the many factors that led to this achievement, in particular that 37% of our 2020 revenue was generated from our portfolio of sustainable products,” he said.