IN BRIEF
Two buys for Mastermelt UK-based precious metal recovery specialist Mastermelt has acquired both IEX Technologies , a supplier of advanced ion exchange materials and process technology to the pharmaceutical industry , and a solvent distillation plant from Green Lizard Technologies , a University of Belfast spinout . Together the two will form Mastermelt ’ s Homcat Recycling Centre of Excellence at the Wilton site in Teesside .
Axplora ADC spend Axplora is to spend € 8 million to add a new kilo-scale production suite for antibody-drug conjugate ( ADC ) payloads at Le Mans , France . The suite has been designed to operate over a wide range of process conditions with advanced process equipment and containment technology . At least 15 jobs will be created .
Alliance in naturals Sensegen , a US-based specialist in biotech-enabled fragrances , notably a new class of natural musk raw materials , has announced a strategic collaboration with Japan ’ s Takasago , a large player in the flavours and fragrances industry . The two companies stated that they are “ joining forces to yield a fusion of creativity and technical prowess , promising to redefine the landscape of olfactory experiences ”.
Solenis to expand PVAm Solenis is to invest $ 193 million to expand its operation in Suffolk , Virginia . It will build a 7,400 m 2 production facility , packaging facility and tank farm for polyvinylamine ( PVAm ) polymers and a rail spur . This will create 34 jobs . PVAm polymers are mainly used in paper and cardboard manufacturing .
Consortium to study NAMs
ECHA has contracted a consortium led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology & Experimental Medicine ( ITEM ) to conduct scientific studies on the reliability and relevance of new approach methodologies ( NAMs ) as alternatives to animal testing and to promote their use . This will run for six years , with € 4.2 million in ECHA funding .
The stated aim is to get additional NAMs accepted by regulatory authorities , focusing on molecular biological technologies , such as transcriptomics , metabolomics and toxicokinetics , and thereby further reduce the number of animal studies conducted as part of safety assessments for chemical substances .
The research partners will support ECHA in developing guidelines that can be used to reliably predict the properties of substances for which there is not yet sufficient safety information , in ways similar to how grouping and readacross are already used . A major focus is on evaluating the informative value of ‘ omics ’ in chemical safety assessments .
ITEM , Michabo Health Science of the UK and BASF Metabolome Solutions are coordinating the work . Other partners include BASF ’ s experimental toxicology and ecology department , the University of Birmingham and two UK biotechs , BioClavis and Novogene Europe .
Orica to buy Cyanco
Australia ’ s Orica is to buy Cyanco from an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management for $ 640 million , 7.5x 2023 EBITDA , on a cash-free , debtfree enterprise value basis . This will be funded by existing cash and undrawn committed debt facilities , plus an A $ 400 million underwritten institutional placement .
Synergies of about $ 100 million are expected three years after completion . This is expected to be at the end of the 2024 financial year , subject to the expiration of certain regulatory waiting periods and other customary closing conditions .
Cyanco makes sodium cyanide mainly at facilities in Texas and Nevada for gold mining in the US , Canada , Mexico , Latin America and
Africa . Orica , which manufactures at Yarwun , Australia , plans to create a Mining Chemicals business vertical and create an integrated global sodium cyanide manufacturing and distribution network .
Orica managing director and CEO Sanjeev Gandhi described Cyanco as “ a highly complementary business ” that will add 240,000 tonnes / year of capacity to its capacity , roughly doubling it . The deal also takes Orica into the North American market , notably the Nevada gold mining region .
Demand for sodium cyanide is expected to grow at 4 %/ year globally to 2028 but at 5-7 %/ year in North America . There are no commercially viable substitutes , according to Orica .
10 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981