Solvay Supplies Hydrogen Peroxide Process for China Plant
Solvay has signed an agreement with Chinese company Guangxi Chlor-Alkali Chemical (GHCAC) to supply a technology license for its hydrogen peroxide technology.
News
Small Particles with a Big Impact
In 2022, the European Commission revised the definition of nanomaterials in a new recommendation, which supports a uniform EU regulatory framework and aims at aligning the legislation across various sectors. Therefore, particle product design is an enabling technology relevant for many sectors, such as chemicals, consumer products, foods and beverages, health, energy, and the environment.
Siegfried Breaks Ground for Global R&D Center
Swiss-based, globally oriented CDMO Siegfried has broken ground or its new global Research and Development (R&D) Center for Drug Substances at its site in Evionnaz, Switzerland, which the company describes as a “key pillar” in its related network.
Germany Weighs Merits of Growing China Trade
As April winds down and major German chemical companies hold their annual shareholder meetings, questions are being asked whether about the country is tying its trade too closely to with China and repeating the same mistakes it made earlier by becoming dependent on Russian gas.
Ginkgo and Visolis Work on Bio-based Isoprene
Ginkgo Bioworks is partnering with US startup Visolis to improve the latter’s biomanufacturing process for isoprene and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Dow Links with Linde for Canada Cracker Project
Dow has selected Linde to supply clean hydrogen and nitrogen for its proposed net-zero carbon emissions integrated ethylene cracker and derivatives site in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada.
Radici Opens China Polymer Plant
Italian polyamide and polymer specialist Radici has opened a new manufacturing plant in Suzhou, China, stepping up its presence in the Asian market. The site is designed to double capacity for engineering polymers, serving various markets that include automotive, electrical/electronics, consumer and industrial goods.
European Drugmakers Slam EU Reform Proposals
European NGOs have welcomed the EU’s plans for an overhaul of pharmaceutical legislation – the first in two decades – presented this week in Brussels. The drugs industry, however, has expressed sharp criticism.
BioBTX and Agilyx Collaborate on Renewable Aromatics
Agilyx ASA to explore the scale-up of the former’s integrated cascading catalytic pyrolysis (ICCP) process in a commercial demonstration plant.
DuPont to Pay $19 Million for 2014 Plant Explosion
Du Pont has been found guilty of criminal negligence and fined $12 million in connection with a November 2014 explosion that killed four employees of its methyl mercaptan plant in LaPorte, Texas, and caused extensive environmental damage.
Change of Ownership for African Distributor Solevo
African specialty chemicals distributor Solevo has been sold by its former owner Helios Investment Partners to Development Partners International (DPI), a private equity firm focused on Africa, in a consortium with minority co-investors South Suez and European development finance institution, DEG.
Linde to Supply Green Hydrogen to Evonik in Singapore
German specialty chemicals producer Evonik has emerged as one of only a handful of companies with concrete plans to use green hydrogen to make chemicals, although several others are eyeing the renewable fuel as an energy source.
IMCD Acquires Sweden’s ACM
In its second acquisition this month, IMCD has taken over Swedish minerals and chemicals distributor ACM. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Roquette Opens US Pharma Innovation Center
Roquette, a French-based multinational provider of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical excipients, has opened a new Pharmaceutical Innovation Center near Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, USA, complementing its other centers in France and Singapore.
All US Mifepristone Moves on Hold for now
All immediate challenges to the status of abortifacient mifepristone on the US market are on ice for the near future after the Supreme Court on Apr. 21 — without considering the merits of the case — approved a Justice Department request to put temporarily suspend recent rulings by a federal district court and an appeals court.
Another Turbulent AGM for Bayer?
Bayer has seen its share of turbulent shareholder meetings, and the event on Apr. 28 is likely to continue in that vein, though it would be tough to top 2019. In that year, when anger over lawsuits involving Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide boiled over, 55% voted not to discharge CEO Werner Baumann and the managing board of their responsibilities.
Andritz and HydrogenPro Partner on Electrolyzers
Austrian technology group Andritz and Norwegian green hydrogen company HydrogenPro are working together to scale up the manufacturing and assembly of electrolyzers for the European market.
DSM in Talks to Take Adare Biome
DSM is in exclusive talks with US CDMO Adare Pharma Solutions to buy Adare Biome, a French developer and manufacture of postbiotics, for €275 million.
IVL Seeks new Battery Partner as Capchem Deal Folds
Thailand’s Indorama Ventures (IVL) says it is “continuing to assess” plans to build and operate a plant for “world-class” lithium-ion battery solvents at one of its petrochemical facilities on the US Gulf Coast, but no longer with Capchem USA, subsidiary of China’s Shenzen-Capchem Technology.
Barentz Buys Brazil’s Metachem
Together with its Brazilian joint venture partner Tovani Benzaquen Ingredientes, Dutch distributor Barentz International has bought Metachem Industrial e Comercial and associate Chemtra Comercial Importação e Exportação.
AppCyclers: Innovative Approach for e-Waste Management
Ghana-based start-up AppCyclers has developed a web- and app-based solution for local electronics waste (e-waste) management services. What distinguishes these innovators is their holistic approach: With this contribution to sustainable chemistry, they not only focus on safe and efficient disposal of e-waste and material recovery. They also educate local communities about the importance of proper disposal and reducing their e-waste footprint.
Evonik to Build Electrolyzer for German Hydrogen Test
At its production site in Herne, Germany, specialty chemicals producer Evonik is investing in a pilot electrolyzer to produce green hydrogen as a feedstock for isophorone diamine (IPDA), a key raw material for wind turbine rotor blades.
On Track for a Sustainable Future
Interview with Annegret Vester, Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), CHT Germany
AkzoNobel Takes Sherwin-Williams China Paints Business
AkzoNobel has agreed to buy Sherwin-Williams’ Chinese decorative paints business for an undisclosed sum. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of this year. The business has annual revenues of about €100 million and employs about 300 people.
Saudi Arabia Gives Sovereign Wealth Fund fresh Cash
Saudi Arabia is transferring another 4% chunk of state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco, parent company of petrochemicals and plastics producer SABIC, to Sanabil Investments, a vehicle wholly owned by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
US Merck Snaps up Prometheus Biosciences for $10.8 Billion
Shares of Prometheus Biosciences soared on news that US drugs major Merck will acquire the company in an all-cash deal valued at roughly $200 per share, or $10.8 billion.
Wood Group Engages with Apollo on Buyout
British multinational engineering and consulting business Wood Group has decided to engage with private equity firm Apollo Management, which has made a fifth offer valuing the group at about $2 billion.
Versalis Expands Elastomers at Ravenna
Versalis is planning a project at its site in Ravenna, Italy, to increase capacity for elastomers. Estimated investment costs are put at about $80 million
Chiesi Closes Amryt Acquisition
Italian biopharma Chiesi has completed its acquisition of Irish rare disease drugmaker Amryt Pharma. The deal, which was originally announced in January, could be worth up to €1.4 billion for Amryt if certain milestones are met for its epidermolysis bullosa (EB) drug Filsuvez.
Clariant Officially Opens Chinese Catalyst Site
With much fanfare, Swiss specialty chemicals producer Clariant has opened a new production facility for its Catofin-branded catalysts completed late last year at Jiaxing in China’s Zhejiang Province.
EPA Wants Tighter Emissions Monitoring near Chemical plants
As part of administrator Michael Regan’s drive to improve air quality in residential areas bordering chemical production facilities, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed that companies measure emissions of certain hazardous compounds that drift beyond the factory fence lines and reduce them if they are too high.
First Shipment with Lightweight Active Container
Swiss WorldCargo, Swiss Airtainer, and B.P.L. have announced the launch of a self-sustaining airfreight container.
US Anti-Mifepristone Decision on Hold for Now
All changes to the US use of abortifacient mifepristone are now on hold – for three more days – pending a review by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito of two complex and differing lower court decision on lawsuits brought by anti-abortion groups.
Azelis Expands in Brazil with Vogler Buy
Azelis has agreed to acquire the majority shares of Brazilian specialty distributor Vogler Ingredients. Vogler is active in the food & nutrition and animal nutrition markets and employs 130 people servicing 2,300 customers, including many of the region’s largest food and animal feed producers.
Lummus and RWDC Link on Polyhydroxyalkanoates
Lummus Technology and US biotech RWDC Industries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate on deploying polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a group of natural biodegradable polyesters that are a sustainable alternative to fossil-based plastics.
