AkzoNobel To Close Three Manufacturing Sites
AkzoNobel has announced the intention to close the manufacturing sites of Groot-Ammers (The Netherlands), Cork (Ireland), and Lusaka (Zambia) and transfer the production to other locations in the region.
News
Biogen Acquires Human Immunology Biosciences
Biogen and Human Immunology Biosciences (HI-Bio), a privately-held clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on targeted therapies for patients with severe immune-mediated diseases (IMDs), have entered into a definitive agreement. Biogen has agreed to acquire HI-Bio for $1.15 billion (€1.06 billion) upfront and up to $650 million (€600.5 million) in potential milestone payments.
EuroAPI Secures €130-150 Million Animal Health Contract
EuroAPI has entered into a Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO) agreement with a global animal health company.
US Chemical Producers Express Optimism about Economy
US chemical manufacturers report their company’s activity level overall (e.g., sales, production, output) improved in the first quarter of 2024, according to the latest findings from American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Chemical Manufacturing Economic Sentiment Index (ESI). While chemical manufacturers’ sentiment regarding the state of the global economy remained negative in Q1, their assessment of the US economy improved.
DuPont to Split Into Three Companies, CEO Breen Resigns
On Wednesday, DuPont announced plans to separate into three publicly traded companies. The Electronics and Water businesses will become independent companies, with the remainder of the company to comprise New DuPont. The splits are expected to be complete within 18 to 24 months, and do not require shareholder approval, the company said.
Genmab Completes Acquisition of ProfoundBio
Genmab has completed its $1.8 billion acquisition of ProfoundBio, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and ADC technologies for the treatment of cancers.
H.B. Fuller Acquires ND Industries
H.B. Fuller Company, the biggest pureplay adhesives company in the world, has acquired ND Industries, a leading provider of specialty adhesives and fastener locking and sealing solutions serving customers in the automotive, electronics, aerospace, and other industries.
AstraZeneca to Build $1.5 Billion ADC Production Facility in Singapore
In a move to enhance global supply of its antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) portfolio, AstraZeneca intends to build a $1.5 billion facility in Singapore for the manufacturing of ADCs.
MOL Inaugurates €1.3 Billion Polyols Complex in Hungary
Hungarian energy and petrochemicals group MOL has inaugurated its €1.3 billion polyol complex in Tiszaújváros, Hungary, with a capacity of around 200,000 t/y of polyol, a widely used plastic raw material.
BASF to Expand Additives Plant in China
BASF is to invest in the expansion of its advanced additives plant at Nanjing, China. The expansion includes a state-of-the-art production line for the company’s high-performance controlled free radical polymerization (CFRP) dispersants used in the coatings industry. The new line is planned to start up by the end of 2025.
Orion to Invest in Upgrade of Alpha Carbone Facility
US-headquartered specialty chemicals company Orion announced plans to invest in Alpha Carbone, a French tire recycling company. The partnership will enable Alpha Carbone to scale up its facility in Dole, France, and produce commercial volumes of tire pyrolysis oil and recovered carbon black.
Zila Bioworks – Revolutionizing Plastics
The American start-up Zila Bioworks is transforming hard-tech manufacturing with drastically cleaner, greener chemistry, while supporting rural communities.
Sanofi Invests €1 Billion to Boost Drug Manufacturing in France
On Monday, Paris-based French drugmaker Sanofi announced plans to invest more than €1 billion at three facilities in France to create new bioproduction capacity.
Sartorius and Sanofi Collaborate to Boost Downstream Process Efficiency
Life science group Sartorius and biopharmaceutical firm Sanofi are partnering to create a platform for continuous downstream bioprocessing. Sartorius will use its engineering and manufacturing skills to commercialize integrated and continuous biomanufacturing (ICB) platforms, using Sanofi’s prototypes. In exchange, Sanofi will provide Sartorius with exclusive access to its ICB platform knowledge and patents.
Life Sciences Industry Accelerates Growth
The top management of life sciences companies is very optimistic about 2024 and 2025, with over 80% of pharmaceutical, medical technology and biotechnology executives expecting profit growth for the current year and over 90% for the coming year. Around one in two companies expect profits to rise by more than 5% this year and 70% next year. These are the findings of the annual survey "Life Sciences Executives Flash Report" by consulting company Horváth.
Ashland to Sell Nutraceuticals Business to Turnspire Capital Partners
US specialty chemicals producer Ashland has signed a definitive agreement to sell its nutraceuticals business to Turnspire Capital Partners. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. Financial details of the transaction were not given.
Neste Appoints Heikki Malinen as President and CEO
Neste has appointed Heikki Malinen as president and CEO of Neste, effective Nov. 2, 2024, at the latest. He succeeds Matti Lehmus, who decided to leave the company. Malinen is currently a member of Neste’s board of directors, but will step down before taking up his new role.
Syensqo CEO Ilham Kadri Becomes CEFIC President
Ilham Kadri, CEO of Syensqo, takes on the role as president of the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), succeeding Martin Brudermueller, effective today.
Ineos Completes Acquisition of LyondellBasell’s Ethylene Oxide & Derivatives Business
Ineos Oxide and LyondellBasell have completed the sale of LyondellBasell’s Ethylene Oxide & Derivatives (EO&D) business and associated production facilities located in Bayport, Texas to Ineos.
Novartis to Acquire Mariana Oncology
Swiss drugmaker Novartis agreed to acquire Mariana Oncology, a US biotechnology company based in Watertown, Massachusetts, that develops novel radioligand therapies (RLTs) for the treatment of cancer.
CEFIC Joins EU’s Critical Medicines Alliance to Strengthen API Supply
The European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), through its subgroup European Fine Chemicals Group (EFCG), joined the Critical Medicines Alliance, an initiative of the European Commission to strengthen the supply of critical medicines in Europe.
Ono to Acquire Deciphera for $2.4 Billion
Japan’s Ono Pharmaceutical agreed to acquire US cancer-therapy company Deciphera Pharmaceuticals for approximately $2.4 billion. Deciphera focuses on innovative cancer therapeutics, and specializes in kinase biology.
Arkema Acquires Dow’s Packaging Adhesives Business
Arkema agreed to acquire Dow’s flexible packaging laminating adhesives business, a leading producer in this market with annual sales of approximately $250 million (€233 million). This acquisition will expand Arkema’s flexible packaging solutions portfolio, positioning the group as a key player in the industry.
QatarEnergy Signs $6 Billion Deal for 18 LNG Vessels with Chinese Shipbuilder
China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) will construct 18 giant liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels for QatarEnergy under a deal worth $6 billion.
Syensqo Acquires Ceramides Specialist Jinyoung Bio
Syensqo announced the acquisition of JinYoung Bio, a specialty cosmetic ingredients supplier based in South Korea. This investment expands Syensqo’s portfolio toward more natural and high-value specialty skin care solutions with functional and active ingredients.
Wanhua Chemical Opens Barcelona R&D Center
On Wednesday, China’s Wanhua Chemical opened its R&D center in Cornellà de Llobregat near Barcelona, Spain, providing technical support and services to downstream customers in fine chemicals and materials on topics like product performance, application methods, and raw material selection.
Syensqo Breaks Ground on US Facility for EV Battery Materials
On Thursday, Syensqo broke ground on its new battery-grade polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) facility in Augusta, Georgia, US. When complete, the site will be the largest PVDF production facility in North America, the company said.
Asahi Kasei to Build a Battery Separator Plant in Canada
Asahi Kasei announced that it will construct an integrated plant in Ontario, Canada for the base film manufacturing and coating of Hipore wet-process lithium-ion battery (LIB) separator. Asahi Kasei and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda) have reached a basic agreement about the plant and are currently exploring the possibility of a joint investment.
Kühne Holding Acquires Aenova from BC Partners
Kühne Holding has agreed to purchase Aenova Group, a pharma contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), from BC Partners. BC will reinvest and retain a minority stake in Aenova. The financial terms remain undisclosed.
Pili Reaches Production Milestone for Biobased Anthranilic Acid
French biotech company Pili, a manufacturer of sustainable colorant and pigment, has produced several tons of anthranilic acid, a 100% biobased aromatic compound which the company already converts into dyes and pigments.
KBR Wins Contract from SABIC Fujian Petrochemicals
US-based multinational contractor KBR has been awarded a contract by SABIC Fujian Petrochemicals to license its phenol technology in China.
Aramco in Talks to Acquire 10% Stake in Hengli Petrochemical
Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil giant Aramco has entered into discussions with Hengli Group regarding the potential acquisition of a 10% stake in Hengli Petrochemical, subject to due diligence and required regulatory clearances.
CureVac and MD Anderson Partner to Develop Cancer Vaccines
Biopharmaceutical company CureVac has announced a co-development and licensing agreement with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to develop novel mRNA-based cancer vaccines.
LyondellBasell, Genox Open Plastics Recycling JV in China
Last week, LyondellBasell and Genox Recycling have opened their plastics recycling joint venture (JV) in Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province, China, which will operate under the name Guangdong Genox LyondellBasell New Material Co.
Linde to Build New Electrolyzer Plant in Brazil
Linde announced that – through its subsidiary White Martins – will build, own and operate a second 5-MW pressurized alkaline electrolyzer to produce green hydrogen in Jacareí, São Paulo, Brazil. Start-up of the facility is expected in 2025.
