Chemical news · Three minutes a day
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Lead Story
Kuehne Foundation Inherits $49 Billion Fortune After Tycoon's DeathKlaus-Michael Kuehne died at 89, transferring his $49 billion empire, including stakes in shipping and chemicals specialist Brenntag, to the Kuehne Foundation. Succession plans raise questions about future strategy and asset management within the global supply chain sector.
Shell PLC accepted multiple non-binding bids for its US chemical assets from major producers like Exxon Mobil and LyondellBasell, according to a Financial Times report.
Canada plans retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. following President Trump's threats targeting steel, autos, and critical minerals. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford vow resistance as trade relations deteriorate over sovereignty and industrial protection.
Sudarshan Chemical Industries has acquired Clariant's aluminum dyes manufacturing plant in Muttenz, Switzerland, for CHF7 million. The deal ensures long-term continuity for Sudarshan's dye portfolio by leveraging the facility's expertise in organic intermediates.
Major Chinese battery manufacturers including Lishen and EVE Energy announced price hikes ahead of the September 2026 implementation of a 2% consumption tax on lithium-ion batteries. The move aims to pass tax costs to downstream industries while export products follow specific refund protocols.
Indian equities gained as oil prices fell on Strait of Hormuz de-escalation hopes. Sector updates included Cipla facing FDA observations, Dabur winning a court stay on food claims, and Honasa cancelling a pharma acquisition.
Enbridge will acquire Salt Creek Midstream's crude gathering business for $600 million, adding 500 miles of infrastructure in the Permian Basin with closing expected in 2026.
A deadly fire at a Russian gas chemical facility owned by Sinopec and Sibur killed seven people before production began. The incident delays a major polyethylene and polypropylene complex boosting Russia's polymer capacity by over 40%.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is exploring amendments to insolvency laws to facilitate public control of utilities like Thames Water and energy firms, aiming to address debt and service failures despite creditor resistance.
Taylor Farms, North America's largest salad producer, faces scrutiny over undisclosed workplace injury logs during a deadly cyclospora outbreak. OSHA has levied nearly $1.8 million in citations since 2021 for safety violations across its facilities.
ChemBrief