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Evonik gets a BRAIN
Cooperation on novel micro-organisms announced
Evonik Industries has agreed to co-operate on the development of novel microorganisms with selective binding and adsorption characteristics on specific surfaces with its German compatriot BRAIN, a white biotechnology company. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The two companies will focus on identifying and developing suitable microorganisms, which, by using their adsorption properties, will specifically introduce novel physical properties to the surfaces. BRAIN will contribute its expertise in biotechnology, microbiology and pilot process development, while Evonik will be responsible for technical implementation and marketing of product that reach industrial scale.
The company also subsequently announced an investment of up to €100 million in the Vancouver-based North American Pangaea Ventures Fund III via Evonik Corporate Venturing. This will go into start-up companies with breakthrough technologies and specialised venture capital funds, with the focus on advanced materials and speciality chemicals, notably energy generation and storage, resource efficiency and nanotechnology.
Chief innovation officer Dr Peter Nagler said that this investment would give Evonik “a strong partner in one of the most dynamic venture capital markets in the world with immediate relevance to our own business activities". The company has been seeking generally to internationalise its venturing investments.