Univar opens food and beverage development kitchen in Germany

Univar Solutions LLC (Downers Grove, Illinois) has announced the opening of its food and beverage development kitchen at its Essen, Germany, Solution Center, as per Chemweek.

The kitchen will provide technical support, research and development, product testing and specialty ingredient expertise across a range of industries, the company said.

“Whether your formulation goals are achieving delicious plant-based or clean label food products, developing your next functional beverage, fortifying recipes with fiber or protein, or focusing on sugar or fat reduction, we are pushing the boundaries of food research and development,” Rob Whitney, vice president of marketing and innovation for Univar Solutions, said.

The development kitchen’s location in Germany makes it a center logistical and distribution hub for Europe. The facility will include a fully equipped bakery, showroom, workshop area, and dedicated R&D lab space to formulate for bakery, dairy, prepared foods, confectionery, plant-based protein and meat applications.

“There is much opportunity for innovation now in the European market as the consumer demand for clean label products, plant-based proteins and alternatives and sustainable and upcycled food products is on the rise,” said Aaron Lee, global vice president of health and nutrition for Univar Solutions.

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AMG Critical Materials N.V. (Wayne, Pennsylvania) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co., Ltd. (Beijing) to establish a framework for the supply and offtake of battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate, as per Chemweek.

AMG Lithium, recognized as the first European lithium refiner, operates a production facility at Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany. Meanwhile, Easpring, a prominent Chinese producer of cathode active material (CAM), is in the process of constructing a CAM facility at Kotka, Finland.

AMG said the collaboration between the two companies highlights a mutual commitment to strengthening the European battery supply chain. As part of this initiative, both companies will work jointly to ensure the qualification of AMG Lithium’s plant while simultaneously negotiating a binding offtake agreement.

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Covestro AG has signed a cooperation memorandum with Anko Optics (Jingjiang, China), specializing in transparent plastic automotive glazing, as per Chemweek.

The collaboration aims to enhance the utilization of transparent materials in electric vehicles (EVs) and the emerging sector of flying cars, thereby promoting the application of transparent engineering plastics across the mobility industry.

Lily Wang, the global head of Engineering Plastics at Covestro, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating, “With the rise of EVs and the emergence of flying cars, automotive design is moving toward larger transparent surfaces, greater intelligence and lighter structures. The partnership combines the strengths of Covestro and Anko to deliver innovative engineering plastic solutions for automakers and support the industry’s sustainable development.”

The memorandum outlines a collaborative effort focused on developing transparent engineering plastics applications, specifically for EVs and flying cars. The two companies will target the creation of functional automotive glazing featuring advanced capabilities such as color-changing properties, photovoltaic integration and display functionalities.

Covestro said that Anko Optics will leverage its expertise in cost-efficient processing, system integration and scaling production from prototypes to mass manufacturing. Meanwhile, Covestro will contribute its knowledge in raw material solutions, application development support and engineering assistance for optimizing glazing design and simulating mechanical and thermal performance.

According to Covestro, one of the key advantages of using engineering plastics over conventional glass is their significantly lighter weight, which can help extend the driving range of EVs. Additionally, these materials offer superior impact resistance, design flexibility and functional integration, addressing the increasing demand for enhanced safety, intelligence and personalization in future vehicles.

The partnership also aims to promote the adoption of sustainable engineering plastics, including renewable-attributed and chemically recycled polycarbonates produced through mass balance methods. These low-carbon alternatives are crucial for helping automakers comply with stricter environmental regulations and achieve climate neutrality goals, said Covestro.

Beyond technical collaboration, the two companies plan to engage in joint market promotion, industry seminars, certification initiatives, and other activities designed to accelerate business development within the mobility sector.

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On Monday, propylene prices edged lower in China, while remaining stable in Korea, as per Polymerupdate.

CFR China propylene prices were assessed at the USD 770-780/mt levels, a drop of USD (-5/mt) from Friday’s assessed levels. Prices fell due to bearish regional buying sentiments.

Meanwhile, FOB Korea propylene prices were assessed flat at the USD 745-755/mt levels, on account of quiet regional market conditions.
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Orion SA (Houston) has announced its third-quarter preliminary results and lowered its full-year 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance. This is the third time this year Orion has lowered its adjusted EBITDA guidance, as per Chemweek.

Orion expects its third-quarter 2025 adjusted EBITDA will be about $55 million, pending any late accounting adjustments, and its full-year 2025 adjusted EBITDA is now expected to be in the $220 million-$235 million range, down from $270 million-$290 million. The lowering was due to weaker rubber volumes, inventory drawdown and an adverse specialty mix.

“Reflecting the continued weakness in Western tire industry manufacturing rates due to elevated imports, we have tactically opted to reduce our production levels, reflecting our intensified focus on free cash flow generation,” Orion CEO Corning Painter said. “We continue to believe the evolving global trade paradigm, including US tariff policy, will ultimately be a positive for our business with its inherently more regional footprint, but this has not been the case for 2025.”

“Considering the macroeconomic uncertainty, our strategic focus has shifted to navigating what many executives across the chemical industry expect could be a lower-for-longer industrial manufacturing backdrop,” Painter said.

The company will report its third-quarter results after market close Nov. 4.

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