Kolon settles US Kevlar probe

Spanish Market: Petrochemicals
30/04/15

Korean chemical producer Kolon Industries pleaded guilty today in a US federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, to one count of conspiracy to convert trade secrets involving Dupont's Kevlar technology.

Kolon must pay $85mn in criminal fines and $275mn in restitution to Dupont, according to the US Justice Department.

The US government alleged Kolon conspired with former Dupont employees to steal trade secrets for producing Kevlar, a para-aramid synthetic fiber used in body armor, cable, and other automotive and industrial products.

"Kolon admitted that it was attempting to improve the quality of its own para-aramid fiber known as Heracron," the Justice Department said.

Dupont announced today it reached a civil settlement with Kolon resolving all outstanding litigation between the companies. Dupont filed a civil lawsuit against Kolon regarding the matter in 2009. Kolon could not be reached for comment.

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09/05/25

EU consults on tariffs for €95bn US imports

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Chemicals, polymers part of EU tariff consultation

08/05/25

Chemicals, polymers part of EU tariff consultation

London, 8 May (Argus) — Polymer and chemical products are included in a European Commission public consultation on a list of US imports which could become subject to EU countermeasures, if ongoing EU-US negotiations do not result in a mutually beneficial outcome and the removal of the US tariffs. The consultation will remain open until 10 June, after which a final proposal will be made for the adoption of countermeasures and a legal act prepared for imposing them "in case negotiations with the US do not produce a satisfactory result". The list of additional products that could face import tariffs includes many polymers and some chemicals, although appears to target value more than volume. These additions include polypropylene homopolymer and copolymers (HS codes 39021000, 39023000), although these account for a relatively small volume of trade, at 114,000t in 2024, according to GTT data. Other polymer codes on the consultation list include some polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polyethylene terephthalate products. Isocyanates and some polyurethanes are part of the consultation. Imports of acetic acid, a methanol derivative were included. EU 27 imports from the US in 2024 were 540,000t. Liquid caustic soda has been included. The EU 27 countries imported 540,000t in 2024. Benzene and xylenes have been included, but only under distinct "non-chemically defined" HS codes (27071000 and 27073000) and for which volumes are small. The European Union on 9 April announced a 90-day delay to a series of planned countermeasures specific to US tariffs on metals to allow space for negotiations. These are separate from the new consultation and remain poised to go ahead if negotiations fail. They included a 25pc tariff on imports from the US of polyethylene under codes representing nearly 1mnt of imports in 2024. By Alex Sands Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Shell to buy Freepoint pyrolysis oil in US: Update

08/05/25

Shell to buy Freepoint pyrolysis oil in US: Update

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Shell to buy Freepoint pyrolysis oil for Penn. plant

08/05/25

Shell to buy Freepoint pyrolysis oil for Penn. plant

Houston, 8 May (Argus) — Freepoint Eco-Systems has agreed to provide Shell's polymer plant in Pennsylvania with "a steady supply" of pyrolysis oil produced in Hebron, Ohio, from chemically recycled plastic waste. Under the "landmark agreement", oil will be shipped to Shell's polymer plant in Monaca, Pennsylvania, where it will be used to make plastic, the company said Monday. Shell did not disclose how much supply it agreed to take or for how long. Freepoint's Hebron plant is still in its commissioning phase, but the company expects to produce up to 130mn lb/yr of pyrolysis oil upon completion later this year. Pyrolysis uses high heat to break down waste plastic into feedstocks that can be used to make virgin-like plastic material. Shell said the agreement reflected its commitment to increasing the circularity of plastics in its portfolio. On 22 April, Freepoint sent its first railcar of pyrolysis oil to Shell's plant in Norco, Louisiana. By Zach Kluver Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

India, Saudi Arabia plan two Indian refineries

07/05/25

India, Saudi Arabia plan two Indian refineries

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