How to Make Supply Chains Resilient
When the pandemic was pounding at their doors, many industries were rattled. Healthcare and chemicals were adapting rather successfully to the new normal, as a McKinsey & Company survey reveals.
News
Pfizer Buys Biohaven for $11.6 Billion
Major drugmaker Pfizer has agreed to buy US biotech Biohaven Pharmaceutical for around $11.6 billion. Founded in 2013 and based in New Haven, Connecticut, Biohaven specializes in drugs that target neurological diseases and rare disorders.
FDA Restricts Use of J&J Covid Vaccine
US health authorities are restricting the use of the Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine somewhat belatedly, citing the rare blood clotting issues that have dogged this vaccine from the start, as well as the AstraZeneca shot.
Expert Statement: Andreas Woschek, Executive Vice President Chemicals, Helm
CHEManager asked executives and industry experts to share their views on the prospects for the chemical distribution sector.
Expert Statement: Patrick Barthels, CSO and Hartmut Kunz, CFO, Oqema
CHEManager asked executives and industry experts to share their views on the prospects for the chemical distribution sector.
Expert Statement: Gerd Bergmann, Chairman of the Managing Board, Nordmann
CHEManager asked executives and industry experts to share their views on the prospects for the chemical distribution sector.
Novotech Boosts US Presence with NCGS Buy
Asia-Pacific contract research organization (CRO) Novotech has acquired NCGS, a US CRO with about 300 employees and a biopharma client base. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “This is a strategic move to provide US-based expertise and infrastructure for our US clients wanting trials in Asia-Pacific and the US, and for our Asia-Pacific clients wanting US clinical program, said Novotech CEO John Moller.
Vopak and Gasunie Partner on Rotterdam Hydrogen Infrastructure
Tank terminal operator Vopak and energy infrastructure company Gasunie have agreed to jointly develop projects to facilitate the import of hydrogen into Northwest Europe via Dutch and German ports.
Integrated Drug Development Models
Interview with Giovanna Libralon, Senior Director Commercial Development Small Molecules at Lonza.
Supreme Court Unlikely to Hear Bayer’s Roundup Plea
Bayer’s advice to shareholders expressing concern about the development of the company’s stock at its early May annual general meeting, to bide their time and wait for the US Supreme Court to deal with the issue of warning labels for agrochemicals packaging, seems to have been too hasty.
Green Lithium and Trafigura Link for UK Refinery Project
UK lithium processing company Green Lithium has agreed terms with major commodities trader Trafigura to build a commercial lithium refinery. The facility, to be built at an undisclosed location in the UK, will supply high-purity lithium hydroxide to both UK and European markets. Wood will oversee the refinery’s engineering, construction and commissioning.
LyondellBasell Says It’s Quitting Russia
Olefins and polyolefins giant LyondellBasell (LYB) has become the latest multinational chemical company to announce plans to pull out of Russia partly or altogether. The Rotterdam-registered, Houston-managed company said this week it has decided “to cease operations” at two office locations in in the country. Its offices in Moscow and Togliatti have now begun winding down activities.
Tecnicas Reunidas Wins Ineos Cracker Project
Spain’s Tecnicas Reunidas has won a contract for Ineos’ ethylene cracker project in Antwerp, Belgium. The scope of work includes project management, engineering, procurement and construction management and supervision services. The value of the contract was not disclosed.
MOL Plans Large Green Hydrogen Facility
Hungarian oil, gas and petrochemicals group MOL has teamed up with US hydrogen systems supplier Plug Power to build a green hydrogen production plant in Százhalombatta. MOL is investing €22 million in the project.
Solvay Launches Renewables Platform
Brussels-based chemical major Solvay is launching a fourth new business platform called Renewable Materials and Biotechnology, dedicated to developing innovative and sustainable solutions for a range of markets and using renewable feedstocks and biotechnology.
GEFO invests €400 million
The shipping company Gefo is building a range of new specialized tankers at shipyards in China, Turkey, Romania and the Netherlands.
Expert Statement: Thomas Dassler, Managing Director, Häffner
CHEManager asked executives and industry experts to share their views on the prospects for the chemical distribution sector.
Expert Statement: Christopher Erbslöh, Managing Director, C.H. Erbslöh
CHEManager asked executives and industry experts to share their views on the prospects for the chemical distribution sector.
Expert Statement: Neville Prior, Group Chairman, Cornelius Group
CHEManager asked executives and industry experts to share their views on the prospects for the chemical distribution sector.
Expert Statement: Felix Thalmann, CEO, BÜFA Group
CHEManager asked executives and industry experts to share their views on the prospects for the chemical distribution sector.
Expert Statement: Robert Späth, Managing Partner, CSC Jäklechemie
CHEManager asked executives and industry experts to share their views on the prospects for the chemical distribution sector.
Expert Statement: Hans Joachim Müller, Group CEO, Azelis
CHEManager asked executives and industry experts to share their views on the prospects for the chemical distribution sector.
Yara Evaluates IPO of Clean Ammonia Business
Norwegian fertilizer company Yara International is evaluating a potential initial public offering (IPO) of its Clean Ammonia business on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Yara Clean Ammonia (YCA) was established as a separate business unit in February 2021 to focus on clean ammonia and its role in zero-emission shipping fuel, power generation, green fertilizer production and other industrial applications.
Expert Statement: Christian Kohlpaintner, CEO, Brenntag
CHEManager asked executives and industry experts to share their views on the prospects for the chemical distribution sector.
Expert Statement: Thorsten Harke President, Harke Group
CHEManager asked executives and industry experts to share their views on the prospects for the chemical distribution sector.
Prospects for the Chemical Distribution Industry
The chemical distribution business is a diverse industry that provides customized solutions for important sectors such as pharmaceuticals, paints & coatings, agriculture, cosmetics, food & feed, and automotive. At the center of the supply chains of these sectors, distributors are critical partners for global corporations as well as for SMEs. This role has become particularly obvious and relevant during the corona crisis.
Braskem and Lummus Link on Green PE Technology
Brazilian chemicals and plastics giant Braskem, the largest polyolefins producer in the Americas, has sealed a licensing deal with process engineering firm Lummus Technology covering worldwide production of green ethylene.
Kemira and Danimer Scientific Collaborate on Coatings
Finnish chemicals company Kemira has entered into a multi-year license and supply agreement with US biopolymer manufacturer Danimer Scientific to commercialize bio-based barrier coatings for paper and board products.
LyondellBasell Wins China PE Contracts
LyondellBasell has won contracts to provide its Lupotech PE technology to two separate Chinese companies. The value of the contracts was not disclosed.
Ineos Takes Step toward Green Hydrogen Network
Ineos is pressing full speed ahead to implement its investment strategy for green hydrogen across Europe. In its latest move, the company said it is participating in a project with SGN, the network that distributes natural and “green” gas across the south of England as well as Scotland, to build a UK-wide delivery network for hydrogen.
M&A Activity in the Chemical Distribution Industry
Mergers & acquisitions activity in the chemical distribution industry was high in 2021, but current macro-economic conditions may have a dampening effect on the number of deals that will conclude by the end of this year.
US Court Awards Huntsman Damages Against Praxair
A US court has awarded Huntsman damages in a long-running legal battle against Praxair, now part of Linde. A New Orleans jury has granted the Texas-headquartered chemical manufacturer nearly $94 million, which will exceed $125 million once the Court has applied interest.
Arxada and Novoset to Collaborate on Novel Composites
Arxada, the recent specialty chemicals spinoff from Swiss CDMO Lonza, has signed an exclusive license agreement with Novoset covering production and sale of a next generation hydrocarbon-based resin system for telecommunications infrastructure and advanced semiconductor packaging.
Domo to Expand PA 6 Compounding in China
German polyamide specialist Domo Chemicals said it plans to significantly increase its PA 6 compounding capacity in China up to the end of 2023. As this is the fastest growing market for polyamides globally, the company based at Leuna said the expansion will help local manufacturers keep pace with emerging trends and create “innovative, high-performance and sustainable products and applications.”
Symeres Boosts US Foothold with Organix Buy
Symeres, a Dutch CDMO and contract research organization, has acquired Organix, a US-based specialized organic chemistry services producer that focuses on lipids. The two firms are highly complementary and the combination unlocks significant strategic value, said Symeres, which generates nearly 50% of its revenues in the US.
