Oil giant BP announced plans to sell its refinery in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, operating under the name Ruhr Oel. The assets to be divested include the refinery in Gelsenkirchen and DHC Solvent Chemie in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.
Jabil, a global provider of engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain solutions, has acquired Pharmaceutics International (Pii), a US contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in early-stage, clinical, and commercial volume aseptic filling, lyophilization, and oral solid dose manufacturing. Financial details of the transaction, which was completed on Feb. 3, 2025, were not given.
Air Products recently announced the appointment of Eduardo F. Menezes as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Products effective February 7, 2025, succeeding Seifollah (“Seifi”) Ghasemi, who is leaving the Company after more than 10 years of dedicated service.
Spanish energy and petrochemicals group Repsol has approved an investment of more than €800 million to build its Ecoplant in the area of Tarragona, Spain. The first of its kind in Europe, the facility will use urban waste to produce renewable fuels and circular products through gasification, the company said.
Ecovyst, a provider of advanced materials, specialty catalysts, sulfuric acid and regeneration services, and ChiralVision, a developer of biocatalysis-based technologies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a partnership in the field of enzyme immobilization.
UK contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Upperton Pharma Solutions, has completed its new sterile manufacturing facility in Nottingham, UK, expanding its capacity in addition to its existing 50,000-square-foot site at Trent Gateway.
Solvias, a Switzerland-headquartered provider of chemistry, manufacturing, and control (CMC) analytics, has opened the first phase of its 50,000-square-foot testing center for biologics and cell and gene therapy in Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina, US.
Eurocolour, the European umbrella organization for manufacturers of pigments, dyes, fillers, and ceramic decoration products, welcomes four new members to its Presidential Board.
Takeda has appointed Julie Kim, currently president of the company’s US business unit, to succeed Christophe Weber as CEO in June 2026, who will retire after 12 years in this role.
To support the move to a larger office facility in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, AstraZeneca plans to invest $570 million in Canada, creating more than 700 jobs.
Sage Therapeutics announced that its board of directors has unanimously rejected the proposal it received from Biogen on Jan. 10, 2025, to acquire all outstanding shares of Sage not already owned by Biogen for $7.22 per share, representing an equity value of about $469 million.
The Chemical Business Association (CBA) has appointed Alastair Sanderson as Chief Operating Officer (COO).
GSK and the University of Oxford have entered a new research collaboration focused on the potential of cancer prevention through vaccination. The program, in which GSK plans to invest up to £50 million over a minimum of three years, will conduct translational research, exploring precancer biology to generate key insights on how cancer develops in humans that could inform future development of cancer vaccines.
At the end of last week, US biotech Amgen officially opened its newest drug substance facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina, US. The opening day also saw the groundbreaking of a further $1 billion expansion at the North Carolina site, announced less than two months ago.
US adhesives major H.B. Fuller plans to significantly reduce its global manufacturing footprint and streamline its North American planning and logistics structure.
CEFIC , the European Chemical Industry Council, has published its 2024 Facts & Figures report, which reinforces the need to take bold and urgent action to secure Europe’s industrial future, not only to implement the Green Deal but also to prevent further de-industrialization in Europe.
The CHEManager Innovation Pitch, the start-up promotion initiative of CHEManager and CHEManager International, has given more than 100 start-ups from over 15 countries the opportunity to present their innovative ideas, products and technologies to a broad target group since its launch in 2019.
Elkem, a Norwegian manufacturer of silicon-based advanced materials, has initiated a strategic review of its Silicones division. The review is initiated with a target to streamline Elkem, as well as to enable the allocation of capital to accelerate growth in the Silicon Products and Carbon Solutions divisions.
Johnson & Johnson and Intra-Cellular Therapies recently entered into a definitive agreement under which Johnson & Johnson will acquire all outstanding shares of Intra-Cellular Therapies, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics for central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
Grupa Azoty and Orlen have agreed to continue to work on the terms of a potential transaction whereby Orlen – or another entity designated by Orlen – would acquire all or a portion of the shares currently held by Grupa Azoty in Grupa Azoty Polyolefins or otherwise execute the investment.
Major and local pharma companies, CMOs, CDMOs, service and equipment providers gather at the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Packaging Congress (PHARMAP) to discuss new technologies and ongoing trends, as well as to establish business connections. The Congress takes place in Berlin, Germany, on April, 14-15, 2025.
It is important to examine the current state of bio-based polymers. This includes the rapidly growing production capacity, significant investments currently underway in China, Europe, and the Middle East, and the new political conditions in Europe that are driving demand for biodegradable polymers.
Mexican start-up Polybion produces a cell-based leather alternative named Celium, a versatile material made out of bacteria-grown cellulose, that can be dyed and formed into different textures.
Alcami, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), recently announced the resignation of its CEO, Bill Humphries. Alcami’s Board Chair and former CEO Patrick Walsh will serve as Interim CEO, ensuring the continuation of smooth operations.
Barentz, a global specialty ingredients provider, recently announced the acquisition of NCD Ingredients, a specialty, personal, and home care ingredients distributor active in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (DACH). The acquisition enhances Barentz’s presence in the DACH region, with a particular focus on Germany—the second-largest personal care market in EMEA.
IMCD, a global distribution and formulation partner of specialty chemicals and ingredients, has agreed to acquire the personal care and pharmaceutical business of YCAM, a distributor based in South Korea.
AkzoNobel has proposed a €22 million investment to make its Montataire site a flagship for decorative paint production in France.
CEFIC recently launched its competitiveness study emphasizing the severity of the situation for the EU chemicals industry; over 11 million tons of capacity have already been announced to be closed for 2023-2024, affecting 21 major sites.
Galapagos, a biotechnology company headquartered in Belgium, plans to split into two entities: a newly formed company (name to be announced at a later date) that will focus on building a pipeline of innovative drugs through transformative transactions, and Galapagos, which will continue to develop its cell therapy manufacturing platform in oncology.
Newron Pharmaceuticals, a central nervous system (CNS) focused biopharmaceutical company, and Myung In Pharm, South Korea’s leading CNS pharmaceutical company, today announced that they have entered into a license agreement to develop, manufacture, and commercialize Newron’s schizophrenia treatment evenamide.
In a move to expand its oncology business, GSK is nearing a $1 billion deal to buy a US biotech developing a treatment for rare gastrointestinal tumors.
Ashland recently announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Avoca business to Mane. The transaction is expected to close in the calendar first quarter 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Global specialty ingredients solution provider Barentz has appointed Derk Jan Terhorst as group CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2025. He will take over from Terry Hill who served as interim CEO since May 2024.
As part of its long-term plans in the country, US drugmaker Merck & Co., operating as MSD outside of North America, has acquired WuXi Biologics’ site in Dundalk, Ireland, for about $500 million. The deal was announced through Ireland’s Foreign Direct Investment Agency (IDA) and MSD’s Ireland unit.
Gemma Biotherapeutics (GemmaBio), a new therapeutics company founded by gene therapy pioneer Jim Wilson, recently announced the completion of a $34 million seed funding round to accelerate its groundbreaking gene therapy initiatives.
