Cognis last Tuesday signed a sale and purchase agreement to sell 100 percent of the shares in Cognis Holding GmbH to BASF SE for an enterprise value of euros 3.1 ($3.79) billion. The transaction is subject to the usual closing conditions, including regulatory approval, and is expected to be formally completed at the latest by November 2010.

DuPont's Pioneer Hi-Bred has announced it has received approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its Plenish™ high oleic soybean trait for cultivation in the United States. Plenish™ high oleic soybeans from Pioneer contain the highest oleic acid (for inherent heat stability) content (more than 75 percent) of any soybean product under commercial development.

Kuwait Petroleum International Lubricants (KPIL), which operates commercially under the brand name Q8Oils, has announced a major expansion at the company’s lubricant blending plant in Antwerp. As part of Q8Oils’ five-year plan, the company will increase its production capacity of lubricants to 250 million litres a year.

Caterpillar Inc. has announced a series of investments totaling nearly $700 million, that, over the next four years, will significantly enhance the company’s position as the leading equipment manufacturer for the global mining industry. The company will produce a full range of mining shovels, ranging from a 125-ton model through an 800-ton model.

Chemtura has been awarded $1.45 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop, test and market new synthetic lubricants that are compatible with low ozone depleting and low global warming refrigerants that will reduce overall energy requirements for refrigeration and cooling systems by as much as 2 percent, which could save consumers as much as $3.7 billion per year.

• Infineum and Afton Chemical Receive American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care® Company(s) of the Year Award 
• Brand Measurement Firm General Sentiment’s Media Value Report BP’s Brand Value Plunges by Nearly $1 Billion
• ConocoPhillips Announces Introduction of Next Generation, Premium Low Ash Natural Gas Engine Oil, 76 Lubricants Triton® 5005EXD
• Quaker Chemical Coolant Serves up Significant Cost Savings
• Oxea Launches New Website
• ITT To Buy Godwin Pumps for $585 Million 
• Reportlinker Adds Synthetic Lubricants & Functional Fluids 
• Argentina's Metrogas SA Files for Bankruptcy