IN BRIEF
Indian centre opens Nouryon has launched a new ‘ global service centre ’ in Mumbai . Covering about 4,650 m 2 , it employs nearly 350 who are focused on business development in India , and functional hubs , plus commercial teams , the innovation and application development centre , and others , covering multiple industries .
Amyris deal done Givaudan has completed the acquisition of Amyris ’ cosmetic ingredients portfolio that was agreed in February 2023 . The terms of the deal include a $ 200 million up-front cash payment , an up to $ 150 million performance-based earn-out and a long-term manufacturing agreement that values the total transaction at about $ 500 million .
Dipharma grows R & D Italian CDMO Dipharma Francis has completed of the expansion of its R & D centre for small molecules at its headquarters site in Baranzate , near Milan . This boosts lab space for analytical R & D activities by over 130 %. The equipment includes a new 500 MHz NMR and the centre is managed via cloudbased integrated data systems .
Venator deal done Venator Materials has completed the sale of its Iron Oxide business to Cathay Industries . The troubled company expects to receive cash proceeds of about $ 130 million net of working capital adjustments , taxes , fees and other closing cash adjustments , all resulting in a net liquidity improvement of approximately $ 80 million .
Dr David Robert Karsa , 1943-2022
The UK speciality chemicals industry lost one of its leading lights on 17 December 2022 , when Dr David Karsa passed away after suffering severe organ failure .
A chemist by training , David ran his consultancy , TensioMetrics , from his Stockport home for over 50 years and wrote several well-regarded books on surfactants in the Sheffield Annual Surfactants Review and the Applied Surfactant Series . He also co-authored books on both surfactants and biocides .
David was one of nature ’ s joiners , taking a leading role in multiple industry associations . He served for many years in the Royal Society of Chemistry ( RSC ) and chaired its North West Industrial Division ( NWID ) from 1987 to 1989 and again from 1999 to 2014 .
In addition , he was at various times a director of the RSC Speciality Chemicals Sector , the Federation of Chemical Associations and the British Association of Chemical Specialties ( BACS ), now renamed the British Chemicals Association . In his private life , he was an active member of the University of Liverpool Mark Lodge of freemasons .
Speaking at his funeral , Dr Diana Leitch , associate director of the John Rylands Library at the University of Manchester , remembered David as “ a leading force ” in ensuring that money was raised to restore some of the archives of the 19th century chemist , John Dalton , which had been damaged by bombing in World War II . In his time at the RSC NWID , he also organised financial support for the Catalyst Science Centre and Museum in Widnes .
I first met David early on in my time at Speciality Chemicals Magazine , attending some of the regular short conferences he organised for BACS on biocides , surfactants and flame retardants . These were always excellent and he was a friendly , welcoming figure to someone entirely new to the industry . Our condolences go to his partner Barry Hegarty and his many friends in the industry .
Veranova to close Annan
Following a review of its manufacturing capacity relative to customer needs and market trends across its product portfolio , Veranova ’ s Macfarlan Smith subsidiary has announced a proposal to close its facility at Newbie , near Annan in Scotland . It will now conduct statutory consultation requirements under UK law .
Veranova CEO Niek Stapel said : “ Every effort has been made to
12 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981