Croda Partners on Vaccine Adjuvants
UK specialty chemicals company Croda has signed partnership agreements with US companies Amyris and Botanical Solutions Inc (BSI) to source sustainable vaccine adjuvants.
News
Biden Seeks to Protect Covid Funding in Debit Crisis
The administration of US president Joe Biden is said to be wrangling with the Republican opposition in Congress to preserve funding for key components of the federal coronavirus response as the two sides fight over raising the debt ceiling to avert a government shutdown.
Amgen to Delay Horizon Closing at FTC Request
Reacting to a US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) restraining order, Amgen said it won’t close its $28 billion deal for Horizon until the courts have ruled. The FTC says the buy would allow Amgen to pressure insurers and pharmacy benefit managers into accepting higher prices.
Johnson Matthey and Hystar to Scale Green Hydrogen Production
Johnson Matthey has signed a three-year supply deal with Hystar to ramp up green hydrogen production. The UK technology group will supply membrane electrode assemblies, which are key performance-defining components for electrolyzers, as part of Hystar’s HyPilot project in Norway.
Arkema Boosts Battery Offering with Polytec PT Buy
Arkema is acquiring Polytec PT, a German company specializing in developing and manufacturing specialty adhesives and thermal interface materials for the electronic, electrical and automotive industries. The transaction is expected to close during Q2 2023.
German Merck Adds Renewable Energy Capacity
In what it calls another major step toward implementing its sustainability strategy, Germany’s Merck has signed a 16-year, off-site, virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with Recurrent Energy for its Liberty County Solar project northeast of Houston Texas, in the US.
Venator in US Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Proceedings
Venator, the Huntsman spinoff that holds the family-owned business’s former titanium dioxide activities, has filed for protection from creditors under the US Chapter 11 bankruptcy code.
Vopak Sells US Storage Terminal
Dutch multinational storage operator Vopak has agreed to sell its terminal in Savannah, Georgia, USA, to BWC Terminals, a US bulk liquids storage company, for $106 million The Savannah facility mostly stores specialty chemicals, vegetable oils and asphalt.
Surfactants: Solving Challenges at Interfaces
From agrochemicals to textiles: the broad range of use of surfactants will be at the center of interest of the 11th World Surfactants Congress, CESIO 2019 in Munich
Waters Completes Acquisition of Wyatt Technology
Globally positioned US analytical instruments and software manufacturer for the life science industry Massachusetts-based Waters Corporation has completed the acquisition of California-based Wyatt Technology, a specialist in innovative light scattering and field-flow fractionation instruments, software, accessories, and services.
Graforce and Worley to Scale Methane Electrolysis Technology in Asia-Pacific
German hydrogen technology company Graforce and Australian multinational engineering contractor Worley are collaborating to scale methane electrolysis (plasmalysis) in Australia, China and Asia-Pacific.
Azelis Acquires Gillco Ingredients
Azelis has agreed to buy Gillco Ingredients, a leading US distributor of specialty ingredients for the food & nutrition market. Headquartered in San Marcos, California, Gillco has 40 employees, supplying nearly 1,000 customers.
Fueling the Circular Carbon Economy
Interview with Florian Hildebrand, Greenlyte Carbon Technologies
FTC Seeks to Block Amgen-Horizon Merger
Calling the deal announced late last year an alarming sign for biopharma, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is seeking to block the closing of Amgen’s proposed $28 billion acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics with a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.
Dow to Deploy Nuclear Reactors at Texas Site
In an as yet unusual move for a chemical producer, Dow plans to build what it said is a “first set” of small modular nuclear reactors at its Seadrift, Texas, site south of Houston, in partnership with Maryland-based nuclear developer X-Energy Reactor Co.
Apollo Walks Away from Wood
US private equity group Apollo Management Holdings has walked away from a potential deal with Wood Group after more than four months of pursuing the British multinational engineering and consulting business.
Johnson Matthey Set to Catalyze the Net Zero Transition
Johnson Matthey (JM) looks back at a legacy of 200+ years. Established in 1817, the London, England-based chemical company reported annual revenues of about €18 billion in 2022. JM has built a global presence with operations in more than 30 countries. The company’s strategy is based on the vision for a cleaner, healthier world and mirrors society’s need to create a more sustainable future. JM has set out to catalyze the net zero transition by delivering sustainable solutions to customers enabled by innovative technology and leading positions in JM’s key markets automotive, chemicals, and energy. To get a better understanding of the role JM’s technological developments play for a sustainable future, Michael Reubold spoke with Maurits van Tol, the company’s Chief Technology Officer.
Navigating Uncertainty in the Biopharma Market
Biopharma companies are facing funding challenges in 2023 as interest rates rise and investors are becoming more risk adverse. There is hope on the horizon, say some analysts, while others project a prolonged slump due to inflation and global instability. Established pharmaceutical companies are often seen as safer investments, with larger developers expected to perform well in 2023, especially if litigation threats against drugs like Zantac disappear. However, concerns about revenue gaps continue for big companies like GSK and Sanofi, and their strategy and leadership will be closely monitored in the coming months.
Positive Vaccine Data Bolster Novavax
The market value of US vaccine maker Novavax is gaining momentum again on the back of promising data the company recently provided on its combined Covid and flu vaccine data.
Bayer and Bicycle in Cancer Collaboration
Bayer and UK biotech Bicycle Therapeutics have agreed to collaborate to develop and commercialize the latter’s radioconjugates for multiple oncology targets.
Lummus Wins Saudi Propane Project
Alujain National Industrial has chosen Lummus Technology’s Catofin propane dehydrogenation (PDH) process for a new propylene plant to be built in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. The contract marks the first time that Alujain will license Lummus’ PDH technology at the site.
Ashaya: Increasing the Value of Waste & Creating Social Impact
India-based start-up Ashaya focuses on increasing the value of waste and turns this waste into high-quality materials and products that are more recyclable.
H.B. Fuller Acquires UK’s Beardow Adams
US adhesives major H.B. Fuller has acquired Beardow Adams, a UK-based family-owned industrial adhesives manufacturer with capacities in Europe and the US, with a global distribution network and customers in more than 70 countries. Neither terms nor the cost of the purchase have been disclosed.
Messer and BASF Team up on CO2 Recovery
German family-owned industrial gases producer Messer has announced plans to build a carbon dioxide recovery plant at an undisclosed location in Austria, leveraging in part technology from compatriot BASF.
Sweden’s Sobi Agrees Merger with CTI BioPharma
Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi) has agreed a merger with CTI BioPharma, a US biopharmaceutical company focused on blood-related cancers and rare diseases. Through a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary, Sobi plans to commence a cash tender offer that values CTI at $1.7 billion.
Fujifilm Buys Entegris’ Electronics Chemicals Business
Japan’s Fujifilm has agreed to acquire Entegris’ electronic chemicals business for $700 million. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2023, subject to regulatory approval and other customary conditions.
Sandoz in Biosimilars Pact with Just – Evotec Biologics
As Novartis moves toward shedding generics subsidiary Sandoz, which it touts as a global leader in off-patent generic and biosimilar drugs, Sandoz has agreed a multi-year strategic partnership with Just –Evotec Biologics, the Seattle, Washington-based US subsidiary of Germany’s Evotec, to develop and manufacture biosimilars.
TotalEnergies Acquires Iber Resinas
TotalEnergies has acquired Spanish mechanical recycling company Iber Resinas for an undisclosed sum. The French energy, chemicals and plastics company said the acquisition will increase its production of circular polymers in Europe, extend its range of recycled products and enhance its access to feedstock through Iber Resinas’ network of suppliers.
Braskem and Novonor Confirm Private Equity Bids
Braskem and its controlling shareholder Novonor (formerly known as Odebrecht) have now confirmed a takeover offer from private equity investors Apollo and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for Novonor’s shares in the Brazilian petrochemicals and plastics producer.
Gingko Enters Dyes and Drugs Partnerships
US biology company Ginkgo Bioworks has announced two separate partnerships, one on natural colors and dyes with Octarine Bio and the other on novel therapeutic molecules with drugmaker Boehringer Ingelheim.
Wacker Buys All of ADL BioPharma from Private Equity
German chemical group Wacker has acquired 100% of ADL Biopharma from private equity investor Kartesia for a price said to exceed €100 million. It now owns the entire 150,000 m2 production site in the northern Spanish city of Léon with fermentation capacity of just under 3,000 cbm (gross volume).
Baxter Sells BioPharma to Private Equity
Confirming media reports, Baxter International announced it has agreed to sell its BioPharma Solutions (BPS) business to a private equity consortium of Warburg Pincus and Advent International for $4.25 billion in cash.
