NEWS
Solvay partners with Ginkgo
Solvay has agreed a multi-year strategic collaboration with US firm Ginkgo Bioworks , which was formerly Zymergen . Under this , Solvay said , they will join forces “ to unlock the power of synthetic biology as an enabler of more sustainable chemicals and materials , contributing to the transition towards more environmentally friendly solutions ”.
This alliance will start by focusing on new sustainable biopolymers for markets ranging from home and personal care to agriculture and food . Solvay will also acquire a Ginkgo laboratory in Cambridge , Massachusetts , to establish a sustainable growth base in synthetic biology in this important biotech hub .
Renwable materials and biotechnology is seen as a key growth platform for Solvay . The current move , it said , will enable it to “ integrate deep competencies in bioinformatics and data science , strain engineering , biocatalysis and fermentation processes , strengthening and accelerating the ability to scout , develop and turn into businesses the most valuable biotech-enabled opportunities ”.
Albemarle plans ‘ Mega-Flex ’ facility
Albemarle has announced plans to locate its previously announced lithium hydroxide ‘ Mega-Flex ’ facility in Chester County , South Carolina . The initial investment will be at least $ 1.3 billion , due to surging demand for electric vehicles ( EVs ) and lithium-ion batteries worldwide .
Pending permitting approvals , the facility will be located within an area of about 320 hectares . It is projected to create
more than 300 new , permanent jobs and sustain more than 1,500 construction jobs .
The term ‘ Mega-Flex ’ refers to the facility ’ s ability to process diverse types of lithium feedstock , including from recycled batteries . It is expected to produce around 50,000 tonnes / year of battery-grade lithium hydroxide , enough for about 2.4 million EVs / year , with the potential to double this . avoid proposing the closure of the plant . This was a difficult decision to make , which in no way reflects the performance or commitment of our colleagues at Annan .”
The site has had many changes of ownership in its 43-year history . It was once part of GSK until being acquired by Rhodia Pharma Solutions in 1997 . Over the next ten years , the company invested over £ 10 million and received a further £ 1.8 million grant from the Scottish Enterprise R & D Plus programme .
India ’ s Shasun Chemicals & Drugs bought Rhodia Pharma Solutions in March 2006 . In March 2009 , in view of falling demand for one of Annan ’ s key products making it “ no longer viable ”, Shasun announced that it would close the site ‘ and focus all activities at the larger site at Dudley , near Newcastle .
Six months later , Phoenix Chemicals of Merseyside acquired Annan for an undisclosed amount and announced plans to reopen it . Phoenix planned to invest £ 4 million up to 2012 and received a £ 400,000 grant from the Scottish government , creating more than 50 new jobs , but itself went into administration in early 2011 .
There was another rescue in 2012 , when Bakhu Pharma , a startup backed by UK and Singapore investors and led by former Phoenix executives , brought Annan back into production . They in turn sold the site to Johnson Matthey in November 2014 .
Johnson Matthey spent to renovate and retrofit the site in order to expand the Fine Chemicals division ’ s large volume capacity , in response to demand for controlled substance APIs and custom manufacturing services . Last year , however , it sold off the whole division , which was rebranded as Veranova .
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