NEWS
IN BRIEF
Elkem reviews Silicones Following a full assessment , Norway ’ s Elkem has initiated a strategic review of the Silicones division , with the aim of streamlining itself and creating capital to accelerate growth in the Silicon Products and Carbon Solutions divisions . The division is a fully integrated player , from silicon metal to upstream siloxane and downstream specialities for multiple application areas .
BioDuro in peptide expansion
BioDuro has opened a kilogram-scale , solid-phase peptide synthesis scaleup laboratory at its Shanghai Zhangjiang High-tech Park campus in China , in response to growing demand . The company added that the new facility further enhances its capabilities to meet increasing demand for scalable peptide manufacturing .
Key features include automated solid phase peptide synthesisers , cleavage systems and freeze-drying equipment , supporting synthesis scale-up to 800 mmol . It is designed to produce a wide range of peptide molecules , including linear and cyclic peptides and various peptide-drug conjugates .
The facility is designed to complement the peptide discovery synthesis centre at BioDuro ’ s Beijing campus , which focuses on early-stage R & D , enabling projects to be integrated from discovery to development . The chemistry teams at both campuses specialize in solid- and liquid-phase synthesis . The firm ’ s peptide platform also includes biology and DMPK services .
Milestone in bio-acrylic acid
Starting in Q2 , South Korea ’ s LG Chem is to produce the first commercial bio-acrylic acid in the form of 3-hydroxypropionic acid ( 3HP ) from vegetable oils . This strain of 3HP and the microbial fermentation technology it developed in-house were given the USAD-Certified Biobased Product label in 2024 , certifying it to be 100 % biobased .
Potential applications include cosmetic ingredients for direct skin contact , superabsorbent polymers , adhesives for electronics and vehicles , paints and coatings . The company plans to promote it in the
US and Europe , with the cosmetics industry expected to be a key market because of its strong demand for natural materials that have the same functionality as those derived from fossil fuels .
LG Chem added that its product retains the same molecular structure and properties as conventional acrylic acid , while being entirely plant-based . It plans to operate a customised production system that can respond immediately to customer needs and is considering expanding production from the initial prototype capacity of 100 tonnes / year if demand increases .
Americhem changes hands Pritzker Private Capital has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Americhem from the Juve family in deal that should close in Q1 subject to customary closing conditions . Terms were not disclosed . Based in Cuyahoga Falls , Ohio , with ten manufacturing plants worldwide , Americhem makes custom colour masterbatch and performance additives for engineered compounds .
Evonik merges lines Evonik has merged its Silica and Silanes business lines into a new entity called Smart Effects , employing about 3,500 and led by Emmanuel Auer . Key markets include automotive and tyres , where silica and silanes are already used in ‘ green tyres ’; electronics , with high-purity silica , metal oxides and silanes essential for lithium-ion batteries and other uses ; consumer health and nutrition ; and building protection .
New investor in Aragen Quadria Capital , an Asia healthcarefocused private equity fund based in Singapore with stakes in Indian and Malaysian CDMOs , has invested $ 100 million in Indian CRDMO Aragen , which will use this to expand its capabilities and infrastructure . It is the second strategic investor after Goldman Sachs and gains a minority stake worth about $ 1.4 billion .
MAR / APR 2025 SPECCHEMONLINE . COM
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