IN BRIEF
Recipharm invests
CDMO Recipharm will use its Italian site at Pianezza to meet growing demand for the common cold treatment ColdZyme from its Swedish compatriot Enzymatica . The company is also investing $ 2.5 million to add a full GMP chemical unit at its site in Israel . Operational by the end of 2021 , this will enable it to offer a single integrated flow from early medicinal chemistry into commercialisation .
The Centre for Process Innovation ( CPI ), an independent technology innovation centre , has completed a project with Syngenta to develop purification methods for novel crop protection products . This followed previous collaboration with the agrochemical giant . The project took place at CPI ’ s facilities in Darlington , UK , using its downstream processing suite . CPI also used its robotics platform to screen different conditions to optimise the process . The two will begin work on a further project to progress the new method to a larger scale .
Shell leads on renewables plant
Shell is to take a 40 % stake in a C $ 875 million plant being developed at Varennes , Québec , by Canadian clean tech company Enerkem . This will produce 125 million litres / year of low-carbon fuels and renewable , methanol-based chemicals from 200,000 tonnes / year of non-recyclable waste and wood waste , using a proprietary thermochemical technology . Subject to the finalisation of commercial agreements , the first phase is due to be commissioned in 2023 . The facility will involve the construction of the world ’ s largest renewable hydrogen and oxygen production facilities with an 87-megawatt electrolyser . Other investors include Enerkem itself , sustainable energy firm Suncor , methanol producer Proman , green hydrogen and oxygen supplier Hydro-Québec , and the Québec and Canadian governments .
Artist ’ s impression of the VCR site
Isochem into PAAs
Isochem is starting PAAs to supply polyamino acids under the Isodel brand . This is based on its position in the manufacture of N-carboxy anhydride activated amino acids , which it has produced for over 40 years . The PAAs have applications in biologics will widen the company ’ s CDMO ’ s services to the pharmaceuticals industry .
Ashland buys Schülke
Ashland has acquired the personal care business of German-based Schülke & Mayr from investment firm EQT . The € 262.5 million deal is expected to be completed within Q2 . The firm described this as “ consistent with Ashland ’ s strategic positioning as a premier specialty additives ” as well as advancing environmental , social and governance agenda for personal care and household applications .
Aceto buys IsleChem
‘ Virtual manufacturer ’ Aceto has acquired IsleChem of Grand Island , New York . IsleChem offers chemical manufacturing , contract R & D , analytical services , and technical and support services that complement Aceto ’ s capabilities and back up its network in India and China . Aceto expects to add to the workforce and invest in operations .
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