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.
News
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.
US Merck Fails to Transfer all Talc Liability to Bayer
A move by US drugmaker Merck & Co. to have Bayer assume all liability for lawsuits alleging that the talc-based Dr. Scholl's foot powder causes cancer has failed, at least in the first instance.
Gevo and LG Chem Partner on Bio-propylene
US renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels company Gevo has entered into a joint development agreement for its ethanol-to-olefins (ETO) technology with South Korean chemicals group LG Chem.
BioNTech and DualityBio Sign ADC Rights Deal
German biotech and Covid vaccine maker BioNTech has sealed a major deal with Chinese biotech DualityBio to co-develop and commercialize two cancer antibody drug candidates (ADCs).
WuXi STA Expands Capabilities at Changzhou Campus
WuXi STA has added two reactors at its Changzhou campus in China, enhancing capacity and capability at its TIDES contract research, development and manufacturing platform for oligonucleotide, peptide and related synthetic conjugates. The reactors have capacity of 2,000 liters each, taking total volume for solid-phase peptide synthesizers to more than 10,000 liters.
Germany’s Merck to Invest in its US Chips Business
Germany’s Merck plans to invest some €300 million in an integrated specialty gas plant in Hometown, Pennsylvania, to support the development of its semiconductor business.
Catalent Starts Schorndorf Expansion
Catalent, a US-headquartered CDMO, has broken ground on a project in Schorndorf, Germany, that will add capacity for storing and handling clinical trial supply materials at controlled temperatures.
Solvay to Collaborate with Ginkgo Bioworks
Solvay has agreed a strategic collaboration with Ginkgo Bioworks, which the Belgian chemical giant said is aimed at “building the leading platform for cell programming and biosecurity.” Financial details were not disclosed.
Grupa Azoty in Polish-US Nuclear Cooperation
Polish chemical producer Grupa Azoty, US-based Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) and the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Poland, have signed an agreement to develop and construct a nuclear energy research facility based on Ultra Safe Nuclear’s Micro-ModulaReactor (MMR) technology in Poland.
Proxygen and US Merck Collaborate on Molecular Glue Degraders
Austrian biotech Proxygen has announced a multi-year collaboration and license agreement with US drugmaker Merck & Co to identify and develop molecular glue degraders against multiple therapeutic targets. The deal could be worth up to $2.55 billion for Proxygen, based on achieving certain milestones.
Plaskolite Buys Trinseo’s Mexico Facility
Plaskolite, a US producer of engineering thermoplastics, has agreed to buy a facility in Mexico that specializes in manufacturing cell cast acrylic sheet from Trinseo. The deal, which is expected to close in the next few weeks, includes the land, buildings and equipment – financial terms were not disclosed.
Court Threatens to Topple FDA’s Abortion Drug Approval
Conflicting decisions by federal courts in Texas and Washington on separate lawsuits involving mifepristone, one of the two drugs most widely used in medication-induced abortions, dominated US news over the Easter weekend. One of the rulings is thought likely to be challenged all the way to the Supreme Court.
IMCD Takes India’s Tradeimpex
IMCD India has agreed to buy Tradeimpex Polymers (India), a distributor of high-performance polymers and engineering plastics. The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2023.
Clariant Closes Sale of Land Oil Business to Dorf Ketal
Clariant closed on Apr. 3 the sale of its North American land oil business to Indian specialty chemicals manufacturer Dorf Ketal for $14.5 million. The Swiss group said the divestment is a further step to structurally improve its portfolio and sustainability profile.
Plaintiffs Reject newest J&J Talc Litigation Offer
Seeking to clear billions of dollars worth of litigation claiming that its iconic baby powder causes cancer, Johnson & Johnson has announced it is now prepared to offer a payout of $8.9 billion over 25 years to resolve all claims.
Ineos Completes Mitsui Phenols Singapore Acquisition
Ineos Phenol announces the completion of its acquisition of the entire asset base of Mitsui Phenols Singapore from Mitsui Chemicals, a leading Japanese chemicals manufacturer, for a total consideration of $330 million.
Kemira Reviews Options for Oil & Gas Business
Kemira’s board of directors has decided to evaluate strategic options for its oil & gas business, including a potential sale. The Helsinki-headquartered company is reported to have engaged international investment bank Stifel as advisor.
