NEWS
IN BRIEF
Amyris adds fourth line Amyris has completed construction of a new 2x80 m 3 production line at its precision fermentation plant in Barra Bonita, Brazil, complementing the existing three 2x200 m 3 lines. The new line is equipped with advanced instrumentation, process controls and automation, which“ enables Amyris to create molecules with superior precision and control,” said COO Adam Blaziak.
CCS buys IPG Colonial Chemical Solutions( CCS), which provides chemical distribution, storage, handling and logistics in the Southeastern US, has acquired Integrity Partners Group( IPG), a speciality chemical distributor. CCS said it has thereby gained an expanded geographic footprint, plus complementary assets, capabilities and expertise. IPG includes the former Chemisphere and Chemsolv.
Flow hydrogenation added Almac Sciences has launched a cGMP-compliant capability for high-pressure hydrogenation in flow. This will offer hydrogenation at up to 300 º C and 100 bar with“ full regulatory compliance and rigorous analytical oversight” at both clinical and commercial scales. The company had previously invested in packed-bed hydrogenation and demonstrated performance at scales of > 100 kg.
BASF exits hydrosulfites BASF is to sell some of its hydrosulfite-related assets, including IP rights, special containers, selected production equipment, technical expertise and related trademarks, to Silox, a major producer of sodium hydrosulfitebased reducing and bleaching agents. This follows its decision to discontinue hydrosulfite production at its main site in Ludwigshafen.
Celtic Renewables has secured £ 16.23 million in public and private funding to scale its production of green chemicals. It will use this to fund the development of a £ 120 million biorefinery at Grangemouth, Scotland, with ten times the capacity of its current facility. Operational since 2023, the commercial demonstrator biorefinery uses Celtic’ s patented ABE fermentation process to produce bioacetone, biobutanol and bioethanol from locally sourced waste and by-products, including pot ale from whisky distillation and rejected potatoes. This firm claims to have proven the process to be scalable and commercially viable.
Indorama acquires Venator site in Spain
Through its local subsidiary, Indorama Advanced Oxides( Spain), Indorama has acquired Venator Materials’ TiO 2 manufacturing site in Huelva, Spain, which has a capacity of 80,000 tonnes / year. This marks the company’ s entry into TiO 2
. Vice chairman Amit Lohia said that the plant“ brings deep technical expertise, proven manufacturing capabilities and strong customer relationships”.
This follows the sale in November 2025 of Venator’ s site at Greatham, UK, to LB Group a Chinese manufacturer of TiO 2 pigments and titanium sponge, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. This is one of three UK sites with an uncertain future in view of rising costs and fierce competition in the TiO 2 market.
Venator had entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2025 and emerged from it that October after agreeing with most of its lenders and noteholders on a recapitalisation plan. It has also implemented a $ 50 million cost reduction programme, closed a $ 51 million sale-leaseback transaction for a site in its Color Pigments business and sold the iron oxide business for an enterprise value of $ 140 million.
14 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981