Germany: BASF has entered exploratory talks to acquire fellow chemicals company Evonik Industries outright. Evonik Industries’ major shareholder RAG-Stiftung is also partaking in the talks.

Tajikistan: Dilroz Gayur has commissioned its new 50,000t/yr Sughd mineral wool plant at Chorukdarong in the city of Guliston. Trend News Agency has reported that the plant received domestic and foreign investment and will employ 60 people.

Germany: Speciality chemicals company Lanxess has launched Purventis, a range of flame retardants use in insulation production and applications. Plastics Information Europe News has reported that the range’s flagship Purventis Core fire retardant is suitable for use in polyisocyanurate (PIR) and rigid polyurethane (PU) foams. Target applications include closed-cell spray foams, construction panels and roof and wall insulation.

Spain: Italy-based Mapei has merged waterproofing, flooring and insulation systems producer Tecnopol Sistemas in Mapei Spain. Alimarket-Construcción News has reported that Mapei Spain will now assume management of the Les Franqueses del Vallès plant in Barcelona Province.