Chemicals and plastics online marketplace ChemConnect has acquired natural gas liquids (NGL) trading platform of Altra Energy Technologies, providing greater access to comprehensive market information for ChemConnect users. Marketplace users can conduct NGL spot and over-the-counter forward trades through ChemConnect and supplemented by more than 2,700 monthly Altra Chalkboard transactions. "By consolidating NGL trading on ChemConnect, we are providing buyers and sellers of chemicals and plastics, as well as pure-play NGL traders, access to expanded trading opportunities in both NGLs and complementary products," says John Robinson, president and CEO of ChemConnect in a statement.

General Electric recently completed the acquisition of LNP Engineering Plastics from Kawasaki Steel Corp. of Japan, creating a new global business in compounded plastics. The new business will retain the LNP name and will comprise the acquired LNP assets and GE Plastics' Custom Engineered Products business. LNP will operate as a separate business within GE Plastics and will remain headquartered in Exton, Pa. Bob Schulz, who previously led LNP as president and CEO, has been named chairman of LNP.

Andre Horbach has been named president of GE Plastics Europe. His previous position was CEO, GE Bayer Silicones, a joint venture of GE Specialty Materials in Germany.

The high-production volume chemicals market has a new communications and research tool. Internet strategies firm, the Bivings Group, launched the Global Chemical Data Exchange this year as a less costly and time-consuming option to industry conferences and meetings. Exchange members have access to research, comment forums, guidance documents and reporting status to assist compliance with HPV reporting requirements.