NEWS
Haltermann Carless cuts back
ICIG-owned hydrocarbons producer Haltermann Carless has announced what it called“ a series of structural measures as part of its ongoing transformation programme” in response to ongoing economic challenges. These aim to improve long-term competitiveness by enhancing operational efficiency, adjust organisational structures and position the business for future growth. They include:
• Exiting from low-margin commodity businesses, including closing the gas condensate business unit in Harwich, UK( pictured), and the oxo business, with full site closure at Manvel, Texas. Sites in Germany and France are not affected
• Closing an administrative office in the UK, with functions relocated to other sites
• Realigning the commercial organisation, reducing the business units from four to three and allocating them to core production sites, while focusing on high-margin, sustainable applications
“ In a challenging economic environment, we must take decisive action to strengthen our organisation and position us for long-term success. The core of our strategy is a stringent consolidation process combined with strategic business growth,” said CEO Peter Friesenhahn.
ECHA publishes updated PFAS restriction proposal
The European Chemicals Agency( ECHA) has published an updated proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances( PFAS) under REACH. Its Risk Assessment Committee( RAC) and Socio- Economic Analysis Committee( SEAC) are continuing their evaluation.
Authorities from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden submitted the original proposal in January 2023, with options ranging from a full ban to phased restrictions. A sixmonth consultation took place between March and September 2023.
The five member states have now produced a background document forming the basis for RAC’ s and SEAC’ s opinions, drawing on some 5,600 scientific and technical comments. They carried out assessments for eight sectors not specifically included in the initial proposal:
• Printing applications
• Sealing applications
• Machinery applications
• Other medical applications, such as packaging and excipients
• Military applications
• Explosives
• Technical textiles
• Broader industrial uses, such as solvents and catalysts
They also considered alternative restriction options beyond a full ban or bans with time-limited derogations. These involve allowing manufacture, placing on the market or use of PFAS under conditions where risks can be controlled. The applications under review are:
• PFAS manufacturing
• Transport
• Electronics and semiconductors
• Energy
• Sealing applications
• Machinery applications
• Technical textiles
SEP / OCT 2025 SPECCHEMONLINE. COM
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