Giving Environmental Data an Exact Price Tag for Businesses
Interview with Franziska Walde and Lukas Fischer, Refinq
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Next Level Chemical Distribution
Dorothee Arns, Director General of FECC, discusses current challenges, market trends and her vision for the chemical distribution industry in Europe.
“Quo vadis, Europe?”
Today, economic success is defined by a different perception and practice of supply capability and supply security. This applies not only to the European trade with chemicals but to the entire chemical value chain.
SOCMA Publishes 2025 Contract Manufacturing Outlook
The Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA) has published the results of its 2025 Contract Manufacturing Outlook survey which reveals significant trends and insights into the contract manufacturing landscape.
Dow Appoints Karen S. Carter as Chief Operating Officer
Dow recently announced that Karen S. Carter, currently president of Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics, has been appointed to the role of Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately.
Lilly Plans $3 Billion Expansion of US Facility in Wisconsin
US drug manufacturer Eli Lilly announced a $3 billion expansion of its US manufacturing facility in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, that the company acquired earlier this year. This investment will extend the company's global parenteral (injectable) product manufacturing network for diabetes, obesity and future medicines across therapeutic areas.
Sanofi to Invest $1 Billion in New Insulin Manufacturing Site in China
Sanofi plans to invest around €1 billion ($1.1 billion) in the construction of a new insulin production facility in Beijing – the company's largest single investment in China to date. This was reported by Reuters and other news agencies.
Givaudan Hikes Encapsulation Technologies Capacity in Mexico
In a move to increase its competitive advantage in Latin America, Swiss flavors, fragrances and active cosmetic ingredients manufacturer Givaudan has inaugurated its newly expanded production facility at the Pedro Escobedo site in Mexico, enhancing the company’s encapsulation technologies.
H.B. Fuller to Further Focus Portfolio
H.B. Fuller Company, the largest pure-play adhesives company in the world, recently announced that it has signed agreements to acquire two leading medical adhesive technology companies, GEM S.r.l. and Medifill Ltd.
Arkema Acquires Dow's Flexible Packaging Laminating Adhesives Business
Arkema recently finalized the acquisition of Dow’s flexible packaging laminating adhesives business. This acquisition will significantly expand Arkema's portfolio of solutions for flexible packaging, positioning the company as a key player in this attractive market.
Air Liquide to Launch New Renewable Hydrogen Production Facility in France
French industrial gases group Air Liquide is launching a renewable hydrogen production project at La Mède, France, to supply TotalEnergies’ biorefinery at that site under a long-term contract. AirLiquide will build, own, and operate the new unit with a capacity of 25,000 t/y, producing hydrogen from recycled biogenic by-products instead of fossil hydrocarbons.
Safic-Alcan Enters Indian Market with a Strategic Partnership with Avees Biocos
Safic-Alcan, a distributor of specialty chemicals, recently announced that it has acquired a majority stake in Avees Biocos Private Limited, a personal care chemical distributor in India.
Ube to Increase Capacity for High-Purity Nitric Acid in Japan
Japanese chemical group Ube wants to increase production capacity for high-purity nitric acid at its chemical plant in Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Hovione Expands Spray Drying Capacities in the USA and Ireland
Lisbon, Portugal-headquartered Hovione has completed significant expansions in Europe and the USA. The investments at the facilities in East Windsor, New Jersey, and Ringaskiddy, Cork, significantly increase the global capacities of the CDMO (contract development and manufacturing organization) for spray drying for pharma applications and improve the sites' capabilities.
ADNOC Launches $80 Billion Investment Vehicle XRG
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has launched XRG, an international lower-carbon energy and chemicals investment company, with an enterprise value of over $80 billion.
Samsung Biologics Signs Manufacturing Deal with European Pharmaceutical Company
Samsung Biologics, a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), recently announced a series of manufacturing deals with a Europe-based pharmaceutical company.
Roche to Buy Poseida Therapeutics for $1.5 Billion
Roche has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Poseida Therapeutics, a US clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing donor-derived CAR-T cell therapies, in a deal valued at approximately $1.5 billion.
IMCD Expands Pharmaceuticals Technical Centre and Wins Laura Marshall Award
IMCD Group, a global distribution partner and formulator of specialty chemicals and ingredients, recently announced the expansion of its Pharmaceuticals Technical Centre in Jakarta, Indonesia. This facility will serve as the hub for pharmaceutical development and innovation across Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
Circular Solutions
The path to a sustainable, net-zero future for the chemical industry is paved with challenges – and also opportunities.
Novartis Acquires Kate Therapeutics for $1.1 Billion
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis has acquired Kate Therapeutics for $1.1 billion. The San Diego, US-headquartered preclinical stage biotechnology company develops adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies to treat inherited neuromuscular diseases.
Avantor Opens New US Innovation Center in Bridgewater
Avantor has opened its latest Innovation Center in Bridgewater, New Jersey, US, “to support the growing demands for monoclonal antibodies, cell and gene therapy and mRNA workflows.” The new center is now part of the company’s network of 13 global research and innovation centers.
DNACotton –Tracing the Journey of Your Fabrics and Their Sustainability Aspects
DNACotton is a female-led start-up from Türkiye that has developed a blockchain-based labeling and traceability system for textiles. The solution allows for reliable monitoring and analysis of materials, from fiber production to customer delivery.
Siegfried Opens New Drug Substances R&D Center in Evionnaz
Zofingen, Switzerland-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Siegfried inaugurated its new global research and development (R&D) center for drug substances at its site in Evionnaz, Switzerland. The 4,500 m2 center houses chemical and analytical facilities, laboratories, and technologies such as flow chemistry, advanced distillation and process analytical technology, as well as new office space.
Unipex Solutions Becomes Barentz France
Dutch-based multinational distributor Barentz announced that Unipex Solutions France, which it acquired in 2022, transformed into Barentz France. This new structure marks a major strategic turning point, symbolizing the complete integration of Unipex within Barentz and strengthening its presence in France, the group said.
CEFIC Re-elects Ilham Kadri as President
Ilham Kadri, CEO of Syensqo, has been re-elected as president of CEFIC, the European Chemical Industry Council, for a two-year term, effective immediately.
Ambiopharm Breaks Ground on $28 Million Expansion
Ambiopharm, a US-based pharmaceutical services company specializing in peptide manufacturing, recently announced the groundbreaking of a 70,000-square-foot (6,504 m2) capacity expansion project at its Shanghai manufacturing site. This $28 million (€26.6 million) project reflects the company’s commitment to serving growing global demand and confidence in China’s vital role in the global pharmaceutical supply chain.
Merck & Co. Licenses Investigational Cancer Drug from LaNova
US drugmaker Merck & Co. (MSD) has entered into a global license agreement to develop, manufacture and commercialize LM-299, a novel investigational PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody from Chinese biotechnology company LaNova Medicines.
AstraZeneca to Invest $3.5 Billion in the US
Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca plans to invest $3.5 billion in the US to expand the company’s research and manufacturing footprint by the end of 2026.
High demand for food-grade phosphoric acid
Foodgrade phosphoric acid is currently a new product from the Elixir Group that is in demand in Europe and beyond
ICIG Acquires European Advanced Organics Business from Valtris
International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG) has acquired the European Advanced Organics business from Valtris Specialty Chemicals. The transaction includes production plants in Tessenderlo, Belgium, and Maastricht, the Netherlands, as well as the benzyl chloride and derivatives portfolio manufactured at those sites.
Nouryon Completes Expansion for Organic Peroxides in China
Dutch specialty chemicals producer Nouryon has completed the capacity expansion for organic peroxides at its manufacturing facility in Ningbo, China. The expansion doubled production capacity to 6,000 tons of organic peroxide products each, which are sold under the Perkadox 14 and Trigonox 101 brands.
Lonza to Expand Bioconjugation in Visp, Switzerland
Lonza, a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for the pharmaceutical, biotech, and nutraceutical markets, announced today that it will invest in additional bioconjugation capabilities in Visp, Switzerland.
Avid Bioservices to Be Acquired by GHO Capital and Ampersand
US-headquartered Avid Bioservices, a biologics-oriented CDMO, will be acquired by funds managed by GHO Capital Partners and Ampersand Capital Partners in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.1 billion. The three companies have signed a corresponding agreement.
Evonik to Expand Specialty Amine Production in Nanjing, China
German specialty chemicals group Evonik broke ground on its plant expansion for specialty amines at its site Nanjing, China, on Nov. 8. Construction work is expected to be completed in 2026.
Ascendis Licences Proprietary Technology to Novo Nordisk
Danish biopharma company Ascendis Pharma will grant pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk an exclusive worldwide license to its TransCon technology platform to develop, manufacture, and commercialize proprietary products for the treatment of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
