NEWS
IN BRIEF
Grace completes expansion W . R . Grace has formally opened an expansion of the pharmaceutical CDMO expansion project it began 21 months ago at the former Albemarle Fine Chemistry Services site in South Haven , Michigan . The expansion has added 25 % more capacity , including a 15 m 3 Hastelloy centrifuge and three 15 m 3 multi-purpose chemical reactors .
Renewables deal Neste and Lotte Chemical have agreed a strategic collaboration . Under this , Lotte will use renewable Neste RE , which is made from 100 % renewable raw materials but has identical performance to fossil-derived raw materials , to produce various common types of plastics and chemicals in Korea for markets including packaging , construction , textiles and electronics .
Recipharm splits under new owner
Blue Wolf Capital Partners , a US-based private equity firm , has agreed to acquire seven Recipharm sites from EQT Private Equity , subject to regulatory approval in a deal that should close in Q4 . These are located at Solna , Strängnäs , Höganäs , Karlskoga and Uppsala in Sweden ; Pessac , France ; and Parets , Spain .
In parallel , the Advanced Delivery Systems Business unit , Bespak , will be split out to form a new company focused on drug-device combination products and drug delivery devices for pulmonary and nasal inhalation . This will leave Recipharm as a focused CDMO active in oral solid dosage forms , medium to high potency drugs , lyophilisation and pre-filled syringes , nucleic acids and viruses .
Peter Kruger has been named group managing director at the new Recipharm , while Chris Hirst will be CEO of UK-headquartered Bespak . Kåre Schultz , formerly CEO of Teva , has been appointed chairman of the board at Bespak .
Syensqo opening Italian labs Syensqo has opened some new application development laboratories at Bollate , Italy . They will focus on developing speciality polymers for applications in green mobility , energy-efficiency and sustainable sourcing , among others . This completes an expansion of 1,300 m 2 in a new energy-efficient building and represents a € 10 million investment over the past three years .
Sanyo exits China Japan ’ s Sanyo Chemical Industries has decided to withdraw from superabsorbent polymer production and cease production of surfactants and urethane resin products at its site in Nantong , China , and is considering the sale of the subsidiary . This is part of a structural reform under the ‘ new medium-term management plan 2025 ’ the company initiated in fiscal 2023 .
Carbon black giant Orion has formally broken ground on a new plant at La Porte , southeast of Houston , to make acetylene-based conductive additives for lithium-ion batteries , as well as in high-voltage cables used for wind and solar farms . It will source the acetylene from Equistar Chemicals ’ nearby site . Start-up is scheduled for Q2 2025 . This will be the only facility in the US to make these products . Orion is already the only producer in Europe , via its site at Berrel ' Étang in southern France . It also claims that the additives it makes will have only 10 % of the carbon footprint of other commonly used battery additives .
16 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981