Specialty materials firm Eastman Chemical Company is purchasing 3F Feed & Food, a European firm that develops and commercializes additives for animal feed and human food, the company announced in a recent release. The transaction will bolster Eastman’s animal nutrition business.

“With this acquisition of 3F Feed & Food, Eastman adds a respected producer that is well-established in one of the leading European markets,” Sabine Ketsman vice president and general manager, care chemicals and animal nutrition for Eastman, said in a statement. “Their proven track record of providing value-added solutions to the market, combined with Eastman’s unique technology capabilities and global footprint, will accelerate the development of next-generation solutions and strengthen our ability to better serve our customers all over the world.”

Once the deal is completed, 3F Feed & Food will be rolled into Eastman’s Additives & Functional Products segment. Its portfolio of specialized organic acid derivatives and phytogenics can help producers increase animal productivity and health.

Here are some other chemical industry developments that captured headlines over the last week:

Chevron Phillips Building Plant to Grow Alpha Olefins Business

Petrochemical manufacturer Chevron Phillips Chemical unveiled plans Thursday to erect a new world-class production unit for 1-hexene in Old Ocean, TX to foster growth in its alpha olefins business. 1-hexene is utilized in the production of high-performance polyethylene (PE), a material for the production of film and rigid containers, packaging, and other products. The unit has a planned initial capacity of 266 KTA.

BASF to Boost Enzymes Production with Sandoz

German chemicals firm BASF entered into an agreement on April 26 to invest in an expansion of its production capabilities for bacterial enzymes and other biotechnology products at Sandoz GmbH’s Kundl/Schaftenau campus in Austria. Production is slated to commence at the company’s new site in 2024.

Residents Shelter-in-Place After Chemical Release at Marathon Refinery

Emergency personnel responded to the Marathon PetroleumGalveston Bay Refinery in Texas City, TX Tuesday afternoon after a chemical release occurred at the facility. Marathon said in a statement to Houston Public Media that an automated response system went into action to mitigate the small chemical release and air monitoring data shows no impacts outside of the facility. The company said it intends to conduct an investigation into the cause of the incident.

AMPAC Fine Chemicals Commits $25M to Expand API Plant

Active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) manufacturer AMPAC Fine Chemicals (AFC) is preparing to inject $25 million into its existing location in Petersburg, VA to expand production as part of its collaboration in a US government-funded partnership with Phlow Corporation, Medicines for All Institute, and non-profit drug producer Civica Inc. To support the effort, AFC is expanding its current facility in Petersburg. APIs made that the AFC and Phlow sites will be processed into vials and syringes for use in hospitals at the Civica plant.

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