Speciality Chemicals Magazine MAR / APR 2021 | Page 15

NEWS

IN BRIEF
New plant for NFIL
India ’ s Navin Fluorine ( NFIL ) has approved an investment of about $ 27 million to build a new multipurpose Plant at Dahej in Gujarat state . This is expected to come onstream during 1H fiscal year 2023 and “ will create opportunities for new products in life science and crop science sectors in the Specialty Chemicals business ”, the company said .
Toine Janssen , CEO of BASF subsidiary Isobionics , has formally opened the new firm ’ s distillation plant at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen , Netherlands , in a virtual ceremony . The firm uses fermentation with microorganisms , such as bacteria or fungi , followed by distallation to produce natural fragrance and flavour ingredients .
Isobionics was acquired by BASF in 2019 and became part of its Aroma Ingredients business . It had already developed F & F ingredients based on citrus oil components like valencene and nootkatone . Most recently , it has launched Santalol from corn starch as alternative to sandalwood oil , which is made from an endangered tree .

Indukern sold to Ravago Group

Grupo Indukern HQ in Barcelona
Barcelona-based Grupo Indukern has agreed to sell its chemical business , Indukern , to the Ravago Group , subject to regulatory approval . The group said that it had received several offers for the business . Terms were not disclosed . Based in Luxembourg , family-owned Ravago is mainly a recycler of plastics and rubber but is also active in the coatings , adhesives , sealants and elastomers , life sciences and care markets . It has operations in Europe , Latin America and the Middle East . Indukern itself is mainly active in the food , flavours and fragrances , pharmacy and veterinary industries . It employs 520 people , 171 of them in Spain itself and the rest in subsidiaries in Brazil , China , Colombia , France , Mexico , Portugal and Switzerland . Grupo Indukern will remain focused on the human and animal health sectors , through its Kern Pharma and Calier operations .
Photoresist expansion
Following on from heavy previous investment in the field , Sumitomo Chemical is to install new lines to expand production capacity for photoresists for advanced semiconductor photolithography processes , including argon fluoride immersion and extreme ultraviolet lithography , at its Osaka Works in Japan . These are due to commence operation in 1H fiscal 2022 .
Anue Water relocates
Anue Water Technologies is to relocate its headquarters and manufacturing from Tucker , Georgia to a substantially larger facility in the North Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta . This follows record growth in 2020 for its eco-friendly wastewater and other products for the control of odour , corrosion , fats , oil and grease in municipal and industrial wastewater applications , and continuing projected demand for them .
Lactic acid expansion
Corbion , the world ’ s largest lactic acid producer , is to increase its capacity by around 40 % at its site Blair , Nebraska , to meet growing demand for natural ingredients in multiple industries including home and personal care in North America . The company has other facilities in the Netherlands , Brazil , Spain and Thailand , where it is currently building a new plant .
MAR / APR 2021 SPECCHEMONLINE . COM
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