June 1, 2026—Sika, a global leader in specialty chemicals for building and industry, inaugurated its Asia-Pacific Coating Innovation Center in Shanghai on June 1, 2026. The center is Sika's fourth global R&D facility in China, deepening the company's strategic R&D network and strengthening localized innovation to rapidly meet regional demand with advanced coating solutions while driving green industry development. Focus on Core Region, Build R&D Synergy Hub Sika chose Shanghai for its Asia-Pacific Coating Innovation Center due to the area's talent concentration and radiance advantage as an international science and technology innovation center. Adjacent to Sika's Building Finishing China R&D Center in the same park, the new center will closely collaborate on formulation development and application technology innovation, forming a strong R&D cluster effect to accelerate technology commercialization. "The Sika Asia-Pacific Coating Innovation Center is another important milestone in our investment in China," said Zhang Yejiong, President of Sika China, in his speech. "From establishing the second-largest global R&D center in China to building a zero-carbon factory and soon launching a new production line for new energy vehicle technologies, Sika remains committed to long-term development in China. The launch of this innovation center allows us to create value for the local market more quickly and deeply." Sun Zhongfeng, Chairman of Shibei High-Tech Group, warmly welcomed Sika's presence, noting that over 80% of the park's enterprises are technology-oriented, and he looks forward to collaborating with Sika as an innovation leader to drive regional industrial upgrading and economic development. Innovation-Driven for a Sustainable Future Mr. Christoph Faeh, Sika Asia-Pacific R&D Head, emphasized that innovation has been Sika's core gene since the company started 115 years ago with a pioneering technology. The newly built Coating Innovation Center is equipped with world-class R&D facilities and will focus on the development and testing of waterborne polyurethane coatings, high-performance industrial coatings, and waterborne architectural coatings. The center is not only the "core brain" for product R&D but also a "technology accelerator" connecting customers and markets. Zheng Chuanjiang, Strategy and Market Development Director at Sika Building Finishing China Headquarters, stated that the center provides solid technical confidence to address diverse market challenges, and believes innovation capability is fundamental to leading new products and serving the Chinese market. Under the "dual carbon" goals, the center will develop more environmentally friendly and sustainable coating solutions, including waterborne, high-solid, and bio-based products, strictly complying with Chinese environmental regulations and Sika's global sustainability standards, supporting the industry's green transformation and fulfilling the commitment of "More Value, More Innovation."
Tesla FSD (Full Self-Driving capability) has officially been made available in China and multiple other countries, once again putting smart driving in the industry spotlight. While algorithms and chips dominate discussions, the impact of automotive paint on radar signals has received little attention. Traditional metallic paints, which contain high levels of aluminum powder, can significantly attenuate millimeter-wave radar signals and generate clutter. This has led to incidents such as “phantom braking,” prompting a recall of certain vehicle models. Meanwhile, the carbon black pigments used in dark-colored paints strongly absorb near-infrared light from LiDAR, impairing detection and recognition. In response, pearlescent pigment manufacturer Kuncai Technology has introduced its Wavemaster series of smart-driving pearlescent pigments. These products contain no metal components; instead, they achieve a metallic luster through a special material structure. Their millimeter-wave transmittance is far superior to that of traditional aluminum pigments, effectively reducing signal attenuation and clutter interference. At the same time, they offer better hiding power than standard automotive-grade pearlescent pigments, allowing them to partially replace carbon black pigments, thereby lowering near-infrared absorption and enhancing LiDAR echo signal strength. This makes dark-colored paints more clearly visible to sensors. Kuncai Technology states that the series aims to achieve a balance between automotive aesthetics and functional safety for smart driving, ensuring that the paint delivers a premium visual appearance without interfering with sensors. This provides a new material solution for the coordinated development of intelligent vehicle exterior design and perception systems.
• Henkel’s largest warehouse for consumer goods in Europe Consolidation of five existing warehouse locations in Germany and the Benelux region New logistics center strengthens supply chain efficiency and improves distribution across Europe After a two-year planning and construction phase, Henkel has opened its new high-bay warehouse expansion for consumer goods at its Düsseldorf site. With an investment of 45 million euros, the company is strengthening its European supply chain and will consolidate central warehousing capacity for laundry, cleaning, and hair care products at its Düsseldorf headquarters. Wolfgang Konig, Member of the Management Board for Henkel Consumer Brands, Sylvie Nicol,Executive Vice President Human Resources,Infrastructure and Sustainability at Henkel,Christian Zaum, Head of Economic Affairs, State Capital Dusseldorf and Carsten Knobel, Chairman of the Henkel Management Board at the opening of the expanded high-baywarehouse (from left toright) The new high-bay warehouse expansion is seamlessly integrated with the existing fully automated facility, which opened in 2014. The result is a fully integrated logistics center with a capacity of over 200,000 pallet spaces on a 24,000-square-meter footprint - more than three football fields in size. It is Henkel’s largest consumer goods warehouse in Europe. “Düsseldorf is our global headquarters and at the same time our second-largest production and logistics site worldwide. We are continuously investing in the site - on average, around 100 million euros per year. The new state-of-the-art warehouse, in which we have invested 45 million euros, represents an important step toward more efficient logistics structures in our consumer business. Especially in our anniversary year, this investment is also a clear commitment to our home base in Düsseldorf”, says Henkel CEO Carsten Knobel. Higher efficiency and enhanced sustainability With the expansion, Henkel is consolidating five warehouses previously spread across Germany and the Benelux region in Düsseldorf, following the integration of its consumer goods businesses into one business unit, Henkel Consumer Brands. This simplifies supply chains, reduces transport distances, and significantly improves both efficiency and sustainability. "The new high-bay warehouse is a key lever for our integration and creates the foundation for more efficient, consolidated and more sustainable customer supply," says Wolfgang König, Member of the Management Board for Henkel Consumer Brands. "In the future, our customers in Germany and the Benelux region will be able to order products from the entire consumer goods portfolio with a single order, one delivery, and one invoice." The expansion results in afully integrated logisticscenter. Another advantage of the new logistics center is its direct rail connection. Goods are transported in a CO₂-efficient manner by rail from the production site in Wassertrüdingen, Bavaria, to Düsseldorf. At the Wassertrüdingen site, Henkel produces hair products for Germany and around half of the European market.
Hong Kong SAR, China – June 8, 2026 – BASF has decided to close its expandable polystyrene (EPS) production assets at the Ulsan Plastics site in South Korea. The cessation of production operations is targeted for mid‑June 2026. This decision is part of BASF’s ongoing strategic review and efforts to optimize its global styrenics production setup and enhance competitiveness in response to evolving market conditions. “Our priority is sustainable value creation. This decision reflects our commitment to proactively align our production footprint with market realities and reinforce our long-term competitiveness,” said Bir Darbar Mehta, Senior Vice President, Petrochemicals Asia Pacific at BASF. “We will continue to evaluate optimization opportunities and focus on assets that provide the strongest strategic advantage.” BASF remains committed to supporting its customers during the transition and ensuring reliable and continuous supply. The company has a strong market position in Europe, supported by its fully backward‑integrated production setup, which provides a solid foundation for its global styrenics business. BASF's European styrenics operations are not affected by the closure of the EPS production in South Korea.
Beckers Group has launched a new resin manufacturing plant in Nagpur, India, in partnership with Berger Paints. The facility is set to produce sustainable polyester resins for coil coatings, supporting the region’s growing demand for advanced materials. Beckers Group has announced the opening of a state-of-the-art resin manufacturing plant in Nagpur, India, through its joint venture Berger-Becker Coatings. Inaugurated by Fabio Pedrazzi, CEO of Lindéngruppen, on 28 May 2026, the facility marks a significant milestone in the company’s strategy to expand its production capacity, enhance supply chain resilience, and advance sustainable coating technologies. The Nagpur plant will begin commercial production in Q3 2026, with an initial capacity of 9,000 metric tons of polyester resins per year and plans to expand to 14,000 metric tons annually. Designed with next-generation automation, environmental controls, and safety systems, the facility will produce renewable and recycled-content resins, leveraging feedstocks like recycled PET and Wet IPA. Renewable raw materials are expected to make up 5-10 % of the input, aligning with Beckers Group’s commitment to resource efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint of coil coatings. Focus on sustainability and advanced resin technologies India has become a critical growth market for Beckers Group due to increasing demand from construction, appliances, and infrastructure sectors. The Nagpur plant aims to address this demand by offering high-performance resins, which are key to enhancing coil coatings’ durability, corrosion resistance, and weatherability. Eric Fouissac, President Asia & Middle East at Beckers Group, highlighted the regional importance of this investment. “India is a critical pillar of our global growth strategy, and this project demonstrates our long-term commitment to the region.” Rajesh Mehrotra, Managing Director of Berger-Becker Coatings, added, “The new plant will enhance our ability to meet increasing customer demand, strengthen our supply chain independence, and introduce advanced resin technologies tailored for the Indian market.” Strengthening global and local market presence The Nagpur facility not only contributes to Beckers Group’s global capabilities but also strengthens the joint venture’s position in the Indian market. As the backbone of coil coatings performance, high-quality resins produced at the plant are set to support circular material flows and sustainable advancements in coatings technology.
From June 17 to 19, 2026, PaintIstanbul 2026, the highly influential professional coatings event in Türkiye, the Middle East and Southeastern Europe, will be grandly held in Istanbul. As an outstanding supplier of silica matting agents in China, Xinhui Chemical & Jiahui Technology will make a major appearance with its core products and cutting-edge technologies at Booth 6CN35. We sincerely welcome colleagues from the global coatings industry to visit our booth, discuss industry trends and explore new cooperation opportunities together. Co-organized by the Turkish Coatings Association BOSAD and the renowned exhibition company CNG, PaintIstanbul is a biennial benchmark exhibition for the coatings industry in the Eurasian junction region. Covering the entire industrial chain including finished coatings, coating raw materials and coating equipment, the exhibition gathers industry elites and purchasers from all over the world. It serves as an important stage for enterprises to showcase their brand strength and a key bridge for Chinese coatings enterprises to open up market channels in the Middle East and Southeastern Europe. To further expand production scale, enhance core market competitiveness and meet the strategic needs of global development, Qingyuan Xinhui Chemical Co., Ltd. completed its industrial layout in Longyan City, Fujian Province in 2017 and established a brand-new production base – Liancheng Jiahui Technology Co., Ltd. Founded in 2017, Jiahui Technology covers an area of 83 mu (approximately 55,333 square meters) and is equipped with modern production lines with an annual output of 20,000 tons of silica matting agents and 50,000 tons of solid sodium silicate, making it one of the largest silica matting agent production bases in China. As a National High-tech Enterprise and a Fujian Provincial "Specialized, Refined, Differential and Innovative" Small and Medium-sized Enterprise, Jiahui Technology has passed the ISO 9001:2015 quality management system certification and established a strict product quality control system. At present, Xinhui Chemical & Jiahui Technology mainly produces ultra-fine powder products including matting agents, white carbon black, anti-settling agents, inkjet adsorbents and glass powder. With core advantages of high matting efficiency, high transparency, excellent hand feel and good anti-settling performance, our products are fully compatible with nine major coating systems such as wood coatings, plastic coatings, UV-curable coatings, inks and anti-corrosion and anti-rust paints, providing professional customized matting solutions for different application scenarios. Thanks to stable product quality and comprehensive services, Jiahui Technology's products have been exported to many countries and regions in the Middle East, Europe and Southeast Asia, gaining wide recognition from global customers. Featured Exhibiting Products Xinhui Sky® BS-50 is our latest R&D achievement, a premium matting agent featuring exceptional transparency and high matting efficiency. It is primarily designed for wood furniture coatings, wood decorative coatings, inks, foil coatings, industrial coatings and other applications. Application Areas - Wood furniture coatings - Wood decorative coatings - Inks - Foil coatings - Industrial coatings BS-8810 features a proprietary organic surface treatment that delivers significantly enhanced scratch resistance and abrasion resistance. Its outstanding transparency accentuates the natural vibrancy of various substrate colors, while also providing excellent recoatability for paint films. Application Areas - High-grade wood furniture coatings - High-grade wood decorative coatings - High-grade industrial coatings - Water-based coatings Xinhui Sky® HD-156 is another newly developed high-performance matting agent with superior transparency and excellent matting efficiency. It is widely applicable to wood furniture coatings, wood decorative coatings and ink coatings. Application Areas - Wood furniture coatings - Wood decorative coatings - Ink coatings Booth Location For this participation in PaintIstanbul 2026, Xinhui Chemical & Jiahui Technology will send a joint team consisting of experienced foreign trade professionals and senior technical experts. At the exhibition, visitors can not only experience Jiahui Technology's full range of star products up close and receive free samples for trial, but also have face-to-face communication with technical experts to gain in-depth insights into the latest innovative technologies and application trends in the coating additives industry. In response to the formulation optimization and performance upgrading needs of different coating enterprises, the Jiahui Technology team will provide one-on-one customized technical guidance to help customers create more competitive coating products. Rooted in quality, driven by innovation for long-term development. This participation in the Turkish Coatings Exhibition is an important measure for Xinhui Chemical & Jiahui Technology to deepen its global layout. In the future, Xinhui Chemical & Jiahui Technology will continue to deeply cultivate the silica additives field, continuously break through technical barriers, and join hands with global coating enterprises to promote the high-quality development of the industry with higher-quality products and more professional services. From June 17 to 19, 2026, Booth 6CN35, Istanbul. Xinhui Chemical & Jiahui Technology sincerely looks forward to meeting you!
Henkel announces a strategic partnership with Brilliant Matters, a leader in organic semiconductor materials for printed electronics, to co-develop screen-printable silver inks compatible with next-generation efficient and durable OPV panel manufacturing using high-throughput roll-to-roll processes. The collaboration aims to address one of the most persistent challenges in scaling OPV from laboratory innovation to industrial production: screen printing high-resolution conductive silver lines on the OPV sub-stack without generating defects that can be detrimental to panel efficiency or durability. Achieving robust, high-throughput metallization without compromising device performance has remained a critical hurdle for the industry. This partnership builds on Brilliant Matters’ recent introduction of BM10, a breakthrough OPV solution designed to transform the market. BM10 enables the manufacturing of flexible semitransparent OPV panels with power outputs over 100 W/m 2 under standard test conditions while delivering operational lifetimes exceeding 25 years. Realizing this level of performance in industrial settings requires not only advanced active materials, but also seamless integration of every layer and process step in the device stack. “Delivering high-performance OPV at scale requires more than material innovation – it demands a fully optimized ecosystem,” said Philippe Berrouard, Chief Technology Officer at Brilliant Matters. “Our collaboration with Henkel reflects our commitment to assembling all the critical pieces needed to enable reliable, high-throughput OPV manufacturing.” Varun Vohra, Engineering Department Manager at Brilliant Matters, added: “Achieving fine-line conductive patterning on sensitive OPV device stacks requires precise control over material formulation, print rheology, and process integration. By combining Henkel’s expertise in advanced conductive inks with Brilliant Matters’ OPV platform and roll-to-roll manufacturing know-how, we are developing metallization solutions specifically engineered to enable scalable, defect-minimized OPV production.” Henkel brings extensive expertise in advanced materials, including conductive inks and adhesives for printed electronics. With a strong global presence and a proven track record in enabling scalable manufacturing solutions, Henkel is uniquely positioned to co-develop inks that meet the demanding requirements of high-throughput OPV production. “By combining Henkel’s in-depth know-how in silver ink formulation and chemistries, with Brilliant Matters’ deep understanding of OPV device architecture, we are accelerating the path toward industrial adoption,” said Thibaut Soulestin, Technology Manager for Printed Electronics at Henkel. “This partnership highlights the importance of cross-industry collaboration in bringing next-generation energy technologies to market.” Henkel and Brilliant Matters have been working closely over the past year to develop screen-printable silver inks that deliver the precision, conductivity and process compatibility required for high-performance OPV panel manufacturing. Early results demonstrate strong potential for scalable integration into roll-to-roll manufacturing lines. The two companies will be present at the upcoming TechBlick Conference in Mountain View held on June 10-11, 2026. Industry stakeholders in OPV and printed organic electronics are invited to attend and engage with both teams. Henkel welcomes inquiries from industrial partners interested in learning more about this collaboration and exploring opportunities for further cooperation.
Expanding its award-winning line of Technomelt low pressure molding materials, Henkel today announced the addition of Technomelt PA 6370, a highly flowable, ultra-low melt viscosity formulation engineered for the most intricate and challenging electronic systems and components. Capable of thoroughly filling gaps as small as 0.5mm, the new polyamide-based hot melt meets rigorous industry requirements to ensure rugged moisture, heat, corrosion, and environmental resistance, elevating operational reliability. Technomelt materials are recognized for their fast, gentle, low-energy processing capabilities and lower standard emissions compared to conventional potting encapsulants. Potting materials may require as many as eight steps and up to 24 hours to process. In comparison, Technomelt hot melts encapsulate electronic parts in three simple steps with minimal pressure and cycle times as low as 30 seconds. Until now, achieving small dimension filling while maintaining the proven protective characteristics of Technomelt materials has been challenging. Technomelt PA 6370 has resolved this with an ultra-low melt viscosity (2700 – 3000 mPa·s @ 210° C; 1065-1180 mPa·s at 240° C) that delivers good penetration and wetting along with high adhesion stability on multiple substrates, passing lap shear testing after 1,200 hours exposure to high heat and moisture (85°C/85° RH). “Achieving void-free small gap filling while maintaining material adhesion strength after exposure to water, salt fog, humidity, and temperature ageing is a formidable task,” says Henkel Senior Business Development Manager, Justin Kolbe. “That’s why Technomelt PA 6370 is such an important achievement for electronics protection requirements. It delivers extreme manufacturing flexibility, high throughput, UL flame retardancy compliance, and high environmental resistance for assemblies with small gaps exposed to continuous use in harsh outdoor conditions.” Technomelt PA 6370 has excellent electrical insulation properties and meets the UL 94 V-0 flame retardancy standard. The material’s low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of 175 ppm is also notable, rivaling that of many two-part polyurethane and epoxy potting formulas. This characteristic confirms Technomelt PA 6370’s dimensional stability and stress-resistance across its wide operating temperature range of -20° C to 140° C. In Kolbe’s view, Technomelt PA 6370 dramatically expands manufacturers’ protection options. “With this innovation, many tradeoffs are eliminated,” he concludes. “You can have production speed, intricate part penetration, and excellent device fortification. Technomelt PA 6370 closes the gap.” Technomelt PA 6370 is well-suited for low-voltage applications such as motors, as well as connectors, sensors, printed circuit boards, and any electronic device operating in harsh, demanding conditions.
The Pittsburgh Paints Company ( Pittsburgh Paints Co. ) launched the Pittsburgh Paints Protective Coatings brand, the new face of PPG High Performance Coatings. In addition to the new brand’s offerings of industry-leading, full-system solutions, trusted products and new coatings innovations, the company is also the exclusive distributor of PPG’s Protective & Marine Coatings. Adding to its portfolio of trusted products, the Pittsburgh Paints Protective Coatings line launched Building Renewal Neverfade Exterior Coatings with Kynar Aquatec PVDF resin, the first product in the new branding. This coating system for architectural use has been proven to significantly extend the life of industrial and commercial building materials for over 15 years. With Kynar PVDF emulsion technology, the carbon-fluorine (C-F) bond withstands harsh thermal, chemical pollution, and ultraviolet environmental conditions. Adhering to the AMPP SSPC Paint 47 Standard, the brand’s first new product line is comprised of four water-based, low-volatile organic compound (VOC) performance coatings: Original Base (intended for use on primed wood, stucco, vinyl, masonry, concrete, fiber cement, and EIFS) Metal Base (intended for use on primed steel, aluminum, galvanized, galvalume, and coil-coated metals) Universal Primer Bonding Primer “We’re delivering the trusted formulas, proven performance and reliability our customers have depended on for 150 years, with a new name and sleek new labels,” said Dennis Karnstein, president and general manager – commercial, The Pittsburgh Paints Co. “The launch of our Pittsburgh Paints Protective Coatings line broadens our product portfolio, with national sales support and a distribution network across the United States and Canada so we can better support the needs of our customers.” Building Renewal NeverFade coatings will join the existing line of Pittsburgh Paints building renewal products, which includes Aliphatic Urethanes, Automotive Grade Polyurethanes, and more. Also, in the coming months, the complete portfolio of Pittsburgh Paints Protective Coatings product labels will transition to the new brand one line at a time. The updated look will make key information easier to find, with clear callouts for resources like mix ratios and quick access to technical data through a QR code.
Hempel appoints Peter la Cour Gormsen, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Emilie Barriau, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer as joint interim CEOs, effective 12 June 2026, as part of the company’s CEO succession process. The joint interim CEO leadership ensures continuity and strong leadership capacity while the Board progresses the search for Hempel’s next CEO. Copenhagen, 4 June 2026: With effect from 12 June 2026, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Peter la Cour Gormsen and Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Emilie Barriau will jointly assume the role of interim CEO of Hempel, with equal responsibility and authority. The interim CEO leadership follows the previously announced resignation of Michael Hansen . Peter la Cour Gormsen and Emilie Barriau will continue in their current roles while jointly leading the company during the interim period. The joint interim CEO leadership ensures continuity and strong leadership capacity while the Board continues the CEO succession process, which is well underway. The Executive Group Management will continue to work closely together under the joint interim CEO leadership to ensure continued progress on Hempel’s Accelerate to win strategy. Governance and decision‑making structures remain unchanged, and the Board of Directors will continue to oversee the company closely throughout the transition. Commenting on the interim leadership setup, Richard Sand, Chair of the Board, says: “The Board has full confidence in the joint interim CEO leadership of Peter la Cour Gormsen and Emilie Barriau. Together, they bring complementary strengths and a deep understanding of Hempel’s business and customer solutions, providing balanced and effective leadership while the CEO succession process continues. Hempel remains firmly focused on executing its strategy and delivering value for customers, employees and partners.” Michael Hansen’s last day as Group President & CEO of Hempel will be 11 June 2026. Reflecting on the transition, Michael Hansen says: “As I prepare to conclude my time as CEO of Hempel, I am confident that the new interim leadership will maintain momentum during the transition.” He adds: “I am proud of what we have achieved together at Hempel and grateful for the dedication and professionalism of colleagues across the organisation. Hempel stands on a strong foundation, and I am confident the company will continue to move forward while the Board completes the CEO succession process.”