NEWS
Albemarle plans major new lithium park
Albemarle has acquired a location in Charlotte , North Carolina , where it will invest at least $ 180 million to establish the Albemarle Technology Park ( ATP ), aided by a $ 13 million incentive package from the state government . The company expects to move in by early 2025 and complete of the campus by late 2026 .
The ATP is planned to be “ a world-class facility designed for novel materials research , advanced process development and acceleration of next-generation lithium products to market ”, co-located in close proximity to many customers in the electric vehicle industry . At least 200 jobs should be created .
In the same field , Albemarle has recently acquired Guangxi Tianyuan New Energy Materials in China ’ s Guangxi province for approximately $ 200 million , via its UK subsidiary . This includes a lithium conversion plant with a designed conversion capacity of up to 25,000 tonnes / year that can produce batterygrade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide .
Albemarle has also recently announced planned investments of up to $ 540 million to expand and modernise two bromine facilities in Magnolia , Arkansas , where it currently has more than 400 employees and 200 contractors . These investments have already begun and will continue up until 2027 .
The two sites make brominated products for use in flame retardants and speciality products for other industries , including chemical synthesis , oil and gas well drilling and completion fluids , mercury control , paper and water purification , beef and poultry processing , and green energy . The projects are expected to add about 15 % to the total employment levels , as well as supporting 250 jobs during construction .
IN BRIEF
Dussur takes a stake Saudi investment firm Dussur has agreed to buy a stake put at under 20 % in Italian-based speciality additives manufacturer Italmatch Chemicals from Bain Capital . The group will also invest € 100 million as a capital increase , helping it to strengthen Italmatch ’ s Middle Eastern presence . Completion is expected during 1H 2023 .
Umicore battery deal Umicore has signed a non-exclusive joint development agreement to evaluate Nano One Materials ’ patented M2CAM one-pot process technology . The aim is to integrate this with Umicore ’ s own technology for high-nickel NMC cathode active materials ( CAMs ) for lithium-ion batteries , so as to increase the throughput rate and reduce the costs and environmental footprint of CAM production .
Le Mans licensed The French regulatory authority has granted a Pharmaceutical Establishment Licence for Axplora ’ s site at Le Mans . The company called this a key milestone in further enhancing its ADC technology platform offering . Le Mans , which has been involved in the manufacture of three of the 13 commercial ADCs , has started providing analytical services in this field .
Synthomer focuses Synthomer has agreed to sell its laminates , films and coated fabrics businesses , which came with the acquisition of Omnova Solutions , to Surteco for $ 255 million , subject to regulatory approval . This is part of the newly announced ‘ Focus , Strengthen and Grow ’ strategy to increase the speciality chemicals part of the portfolio by selling non-core assets that have limited synergies .
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