Vienna International Chemical Industry News

Why Germany and Austria Are More Dependent on China for Strategic Raw Materials than on Russian Gas

China has established global dominance over many of the strategic raw materials needed to be competitive in the economy of the future. Read how Austria, Germany, and others have arguably become more dependent on these materials from China than on Russian gas.

July 5, 2022

Austria as a Pharma Industry Location: 50 Million Euro Investment Package for the Life Science Sector

In order to strengthen one of the most important economic sectors of the domestic economy, the pharmaceutical industry, the budget for the funding program "Austrian Life Sciences" was recently presented. Minister of Economics Margarethe Schramböck hopes that this will make Austria more attractive as a business location for life science companies.

April 1, 2022

OMV Subsidiary Borealis Declines Offer from Russia’s EuroChem for Fertilizer Business

The planned sale of the Linz-based fertilizer division of OMV chemicals subsidiary Borealis to Russian-Swiss group EuroChem has been canceled. According to a press release, Borealis has decided to reject EuroChem's offer.

March 14, 2022

IAEA to Assess Safety of Japan Dumping Fukushima's Radioactive Cooling Water into Sea

A team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will go to Japan to conduct a review of the safety of the Japanese government's decision to dump radioactive cooling water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the ocean. Read about the review and who opposes Japan's decision.

February 7, 2022

Expo 2020 Dubai: Austria's Youth Showcase Their Innovation

The four teams that won Austria's "Innovative Youth" competition will get to showcase their projects at the World Expo 2020 in Dubai. Read about the competition and what the winning projects were.

January 27, 2022

After Pandemic Shock, Strong Upturn in Foreign Trade: China +26.4 %, USA +18 %

New data for January to September 2021 shows that Austria's foreign trade is returning to pre-pandemic levels. Read about Austria's improving trade figures.

December 10, 2021

Austrian Foreign Trade Picks Up Again

Austria's foreign trade in 2021 has improved significantly compared to 2020, and in some months, it is even approaching the pre-pandemic levels of 2019. Read the detailed numbers showing that Austrian trade is picking up again.

November 11, 2021

Austrian University Spin-offs at the World Expo in Dubai

The World Expo 2020, which retained its name despite being postponed to 2021, will begin in October in Dubai. Various Austrian university spin-offs will present their innovations that will have positive impacts on climate-conscious behavior. These spin-offs include GREENPASS, REEgain, WoodC.A.R., City Intelligence Lab (CIL), Mostly AI's Mostly GENERATE, and Incremental3D's myPot. Read more about Austria's contribution to the upcoming World Expo and what innovations these spin-offs will be presenting.

September 8, 2021 · Updated: September 8, 2021; 16:16

Austrian Wholesale Prices: Largest Increase Since March 2011

In July 2021, wholesale prices saw their largest year-over-year increase since March 2011. The increases can be seen in the steel industry, gas industry, agricultural industry, and more. Read about which other industries the increases are affecting and just how significant the increases are.

August 6, 2021

Arab Ambassadors in Vienna and Economic Relations between their Countries and Austria

The Ambassadors from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia, and the UAE to Austria provided an economic overview of their countries and their relationship with Austria in an online forum with the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC).

July 11, 2021

WKO and IV: Need for "Climate Protection with Common Sense"

The heads of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKO) and the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) demand appropriate framework conditions for climate-friendly behavior instead of the race for ever higher climate targets. Both Secretary Generals want "climate protection with common sense".

December 10, 2020

Increase of Budget for Investment Subsidies to EUR 2 Billion

The Austrian Government has announced a budget increase for investment subsidies. A high demand and investment volume in the first three weeks of the application period has lead to this decision that is welcomed by the Federal Chamber of Commerce.

September 23, 2020

Foreign Trade Has Partially Recovered from Crisis

According to the latest report from Statistics Austria, imports and exports are only slightly behind last year's number indicating an upwards trend after Covid-19 has impacted foreign trade significantly.

September 8, 2020

WKO Secretary General: Labor Market Situation Improves, But Remains Great Challenge

The secretary general of Austria's Federal Chamber of Commerce WKO recognizes a slightly positive trend in the labor market but underlines the importance of ongoing and future economic measures.

September 7, 2020

Economic Sentiment in Austria and the EU Brightened Further in August

Businesses and the population of the EU still have below-average economic sentiment although the expectations improved over the last month. The sharp decline due to Covid-19 is made up by about 60 % already.

August 31, 2020

Vienna Based UNIDO Holds Expert Panel to Discuss Developments in Industry and Society

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization hosted an expert panel about the future of industry and society. Main topics were the advancement of attaining the sustainable development goals and shaping society as a whole.

August 21, 2020

Can Glyphosate Now Be Banned or Not?

With the issue of the notification statement from the European Commission, the discussion about the Glyphosate ban is starting again. According to the Agricultural Ministry it is clear that the ban is not legally compliant. However, for GLOBAL2000 a ban is still possible.

August 19, 2020

Austria's Federal Minister for Economic Affairs: New EU Trade Agreement with Vietnam Opens Doors

New EU trade agreement with Vietnam is likely to open doors to a very profitable market for Austrian businesses. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Schramböck hopes that domestic companies can capitalize on the favorable conditions in the future.

August 1, 2020

Austria Becomes Self-sufficient in the Supply of Mouth and Nose Masks

Hygiene Austria LP GmbH, founded only 4 weeks ago by a cooperation of Lenzing AG and Palmers Textil AG with the aim of producing and selling protective masks for the domestic and European market, was made known to a wider public today by the visit of Federal Chancellor Kurz and Minister of Labour Christine Aschbacher, and two weeks ago by the visit of Federal Minister Margarete Schramböck.

May 19, 2020

Total Ban on Glyphosate in Austria Adopted

Austria is the first country in the European Union to ban the use of the controversial weedkiller glyphosate. The ban is legally controversial and could contradict EU law.

July 4, 2019

UNIDO: Achieving Sustainable Development Goals through Chemical Leasing

In 2004, with the support of the Government of Austria, UNIDO launched its Global Chemical Leasing Programme, promoting a business model that marks a paradigm shift from increasing the sales volume of chemicals toward a value-added approach. The fourth Global Chemical Leasing award ceremony will take place on 6 November 2018 in Vienna, Austria. It will be part of the Green Chemistry Conference 2018 within the Trio Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) programme, "Smart and Sustainable Europe", held during Austria's EU Presidency.

June 8, 2018

Lenzing Resolves to Increase Special Dividend to EUR 2.00 Per Share

This year's Annual General Meeting of Lenzing AG resolved today, Thursday, April 12, 2018, to distribute a dividend of EUR 3.00 per share as well as a special dividend totaling EUR 2.00 per share. On balance, the dividend will amount to EUR 5.00 per no-par value share for the 2017 financial year (compared to EUR 4.20 per share in the previous year). The dividend payment is scheduled to take place on April 18, 2018, whereas ex-dividend day is on April 16, 2018.

April 12, 2018

Water Management Company Wabag Wins EUR 30 Mln Plan Project in India

VA Tech Wabag Ltd., India won an order for a value of around EUR 30 million for Design and Construction of 140,000 m3/d Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Dinapur, Varanasi including Operation and Maintenance for ten years.

March 20, 2015

Austrian Export Award 2014 for Above-Average Export Commitment

As part of a festive gala evening in Vienna's Museumsquartier, the Austrian Export Prize 2014 has been awarded by the Federal Minister for Science, Research and Economics, Reinhold Mitterlehner, and the President of the Economic Chamber Austria (WKO) Christoph Leitl.

June 26, 2014

Croatia: Hypo Group Losing Last Industrial Participation

Croatian chemical company Dioki is facing bankruptcy which is why Hypo Group is losing one of the last industrial participations in the country.

October 14, 2013

Borealis to Invest EUR 65 Million in Porvoo Borstar PE Plant

Borealis, a leading provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers, has announced a major upgrading project at its production site in Porvoo, Finland.

June 28, 2013

Lithuania: Exports Decreased by 7.6 % in January

Foreign trade in January 2013 decreased. Major losses in Agricultural sector.

March 8, 2013

Borealis to Acquire Outstanding Shares of TOTAL Affiliate GPN SA

Borealis, an Austrian provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions, has made a firm offer to TOTAL to purchase all outstanding shares of GPN SA, France’s largest nitrogen fertilizer manufacturer.

February 7, 2013

Borealis: Profits and Sales Increase Remarkably

The Austrian chemical group Borealis recorded a net profit of € 129m in the third quarter of 2012, an increase of € 22m compared to the third quarter of 2011

November 16, 2012

Lenzing: Earnings Expected to Decrease

The Austrian fiber producer will present its results for the third quarter on Thursday. Operating results are expected to fall by 31%.

November 12, 2012

Borealis to Acquire Dutch DEXPlastomers

The Austrian chemical group expands into the Netherlands.

November 12, 2012

Lenzing Group Expands in Indonesia

Successful start of the fifth line at Indonesian subsidiary SPV. PT. South Pacific Viscose (SPV) is now the world’s largest viscose fiber plant.

November 6, 2012

Donau Chemie Starts Expansion in Hungary

The Austrian chemical group invests € 6.5m in a new factory in Eastern Hungary.

October 29, 2012

Semperit Takes Over Malaysian Latexx Partners

The takeover leads to the next phase of global growth, the Austrian company says. Semperit has secured a 47.3% stake in Latexx Partners from its core shareholders.

October 8, 2012

Lenzing Expands into Czech Republic

The Austrian fiber producer Now Owns 100% Stake in Pulp Producer Biocel Paskov.

October 3, 2012

Lenzing: Mandate of CEO Untersperger Confirmed

The Austrian fiber producer extends the management board mandate of Peter Untersperger until 2016.

October 1, 2012

Semperit Announces Changes of Management Board

Richard Stralz to leave the Management Board effective November 30, 2012.

September 17, 2012

Lenzing Continues to Supply Fibers to US Army

Flame-resistant fibers from Austria of superior quality.

August 25, 2012

Borealis Posts Declining Net Income

Borealis recorded a net profit of € 112m in the second quarter of 2012 compared to € 168m during the same period in the record year 2011. Sales were down slightly.

August 24, 2012

Earnings and Net Income Down at Lenzing

Sales declined by 1.3%. The EBITDA margin fell from 23.0% to 18.2%. Lenzing´s net income decreased from € 145m to € 100m.

August 22, 2012

Lenzing: Profit Decrease Expected

Next Wednesday, Lenzing presents its half-year results. According to analysts, the Austrian fiber producer will report a 31% profit decrease.

August 20, 2012

Semperit: Profit Below Expectations

Increase in revenue to € 409.8m. EBIT of € 37.5m and net profit of € 23.9m generated in the first half of 2012, slightly below previous year´s level.

August 14, 2012

Borealis delivers solid profits in a difficult market environment

Borealis recorded a net profit of € 112m in the second quarter of 2012 compared to € 168m during the same period in the record year 2011.

August 9, 2012

Lenzing to Expand Further

Lenzing´s CEO explains that the frame conditions for Lenzing are highly satisfying at the moment. However, 2012 will not be another record year.

August 7, 2012

Alfred Stern Joins Borealis Executive Board

Borealis, an Austria provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions, announces the appointment of Alfred Stern as Executive Vice President for Polyolefins, effective July 1, 2012.

July 2, 2012

Chemical Industry Warns of Investment Stop

Peter Untersperger, CEO of the fiber manufacturer Lenzing and chairman of the Austrian chemcial industry is very critical of the energy efficiency act.

June 22, 2012

Borealis Plans to Issue a Corporate Bond

The subsidiary of Austrian OMV and the Abu Dhabi investment fund IPIC may issue a corporate bond of up to € 200m.

June 20, 2012

Borealis: Intended New Bond Issue

The Austrian chemcial company intends to issue corporate bonds of up to € 200m.

June 14, 2012

Decent Growth at Semperit

The Austrian manufacturer of synthetic products could record a rise in revenues by 4.2%. EBIT was down by 8.3%, net profit declined by 3.3%.

May 15, 2012

Austrian Chemical Industry Grows

In 2011, the domestic chemical industry registered a 10.5% growth in revenues. Exports were up by 8.5%.

May 11, 2012