NEWS
Two expand in Wales
Two companies have made significant investments in pharmaceuticalrelated capabilities at sites in South Wales . Ecolab subsidiary Purolite has held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the tripling of agarose resin capacity at its 10,855 m 2 site at Llantrisant ( pictured ), while CatSci has made a “ significant ” investment to support the development of oligonucleotide capability at its site in Cardiff . The resins Purolite makes are made from red seaweed in beads varying between 35 and 200 microns in size , and are used in biopharmaceutical production , water purification and other applications . The “ jetted ” manufacturing process is said to significantly reduces the steps and time required to produce resin , while reducing the overall carbon footprint . The expansion includes increased office space , training areas and conference room facilities and a ‘ customer experience centre ’, showcasing its offer . By the end of the year , the company expects to have increased local employee numbers by over 55 %. CatSci ’ s announcement follows recent investment in it by Keensight Capital to support its strategic growth plans . The company will now be able to manufacture oligonucleotides from nanomole quantities up to 30 grams using solid phase synthesis , and carry out research into new manufacturing approaches aligned with its green chemistry commitments . This will be led by Dr Nigel Richardson , CatSci ’ s director of new modalities . He previously led GSK ’ s oligonucleotide therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy into the final stages of development and regulatory submission .
AI for SAPs
Together with Algo Artis , Japan ’ s Nippon Shokubai has developed an algorithm-based means for the production planning of superabsorbent polymers ( SAPs ) based on acrylic acid and has started operations at its plant in Himeji . This is in line with the firm ’ s ‘ TechnoAmenity for the future ’ strategy , which was unveiled in April 2021 and will be extended to other products . The AI used built on the accumulated know-how the company had in SAP production . It means that plans can be made much
more quickly than before and will be “ more effective , stable and longterm ”, while contributing to “ a more sustainable supply of SAP , energy savings and reduced CO 2 emissions ”, the company said . Nippon Shokubai added that it carries out many product changeovers and produces different types of SAP in varying production conditions . This required a huge amount of labour spent for planning , “ There was also a limit to the amount of information a human could consider . Furthermore , there were challenges such as the development of human resources with abundant knowledge and experience .”
IN BRIEF
Paper buy for Solenis Solenis has agreed to acquire the paper process chemicals business of Kolb Distribution , a unit of KLK Kolb . The deal includes a long-term supply agreement , in which KLK Kolb will manufacture paper process chemicals exclusively for Solenis . The two firms will operate independently until closing , which is expected to be by the end of Q1 2023 .
CCT collaboration Givaudan has begun a research collaboration with carbon capture and transformation ( CCT ) company LanzaTech . Their joint work will leverage LanzaTech ’ s synthetic biology capability , which has so far mainly converted waste carbon sources to ethanol and downstream materials , but will go beyond to “ establish novel pathways to key fragrance ingredients used across the Givaudan portfolio ”.
Biorefinery opens Afyren Neoxy has opened its first large-scale biorefinery at Carling Saint-Avold , north-eastern France , on time and within budget . Construction began in December 2020 and commissioning took place in June . The plant ferments locally sourced sugar beet using natural microorganisms , followed by extraction and purification steps to make seven 100 % biobased organic acids .
Stepan buys again Stepan has agreed to the surfactant business and associated assets of PerformanX Specialty Chemicals . It said that the acquisition should increase revenue by about $ 20 million / year . The company is already due to bring on 75,000 tonnes / year of flexible capacity at its Pasadena site in Texas , which will carry out ethoxylation and propoxylation for its surfactants and polymers businesses .
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