Housing markets in 52 out of the approximately 350 metro areas nationwide have now returned to or exceeded their pre-recessionary levels of activity.

The Performance Products division of Huntsman Corp. recently announced plans to refocus its surfactants business in Europe.

Archroma recently announced it has launched as a newly formed global color and specialty chemicals company.

Berry Plastics Group Inc. recently announced that it has finalized two transactions in support of the company’s strategic initiatives.

Michelman recently announced it has opened a new European Technical Center in Windhof, Luxembourg.

PPG Industries recently announced plans to invest $60 million in a new manufacturing facility and commercial operation for its coatings businesses in the Lipetsk region of Russia. The

U.S. demand for beverage containers is expected to increase 1.7% per year through 2017 to 265 billion units, valued at $29.1 billion, according to a new study.

Dow Polyurethanes, a business of The Dow Chemical Co., recently announced it will add a polyether polyols facility at the company’s Map Ta Phut, Thailand, site.

Huntsman Corp. recently announced the opening of its new Asia Pacific Technology Center (ATC) in Shanghai’s Minhang Economic & Technological Development Zone.

The U.S. economy continues to improve, with forecasts now suggesting economic expansion into 2015, according to the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) monthly Chemical Activity Barometer.