MilliporeSigma (MS) known in Europe as Merck, is opening a US$20 million, 3,800m2 biologics testing laboratory in Singapore – the first of its kind outside the US and UK and the first in Singapore. Biologics testing is a major step in the drug development process to ensure sterility, safety and overall quality of customers’ biological drug products.
Sustainable technology company Anellotech has confirmed significant progress in its Bio-TCat technology development programme and has begun planning for scale- up design and engineering of a commercial plant with its process development and design partner IFPEN and commercialisation, engineering and licensing partner, Axens.
Bayer spin-off and polymer materials company, Covestro, is investing €1.5 billion (US$1.7 billion) in the construction of a world-scale methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) plant in Baytown, US. The investment at the existing site is the largest single investment in the history of the company. Total capacity will be 500 kilotons/year and production is expected to start in 2024. Total MDI capacities in the region will reach around 740 kilotons/year, making Covestro the industry capacity leader in the region.
An industry initiative started by Clariant has launched a new Internet platform called Chemberry, which enables chemical buyers to easily find the ingredients they need. Initially covering personal care, the free- of-charge search service will be expanded later across multiple industry sectors.
The platform operates out of its own organisation unit strictly separated from other business activities to ensure confidentiality, compliance and neutrality of the platform.
XCellR8, a north west, UK-based company that provides testing for the cosmetics industry, is celebrating its 10th year with a hat trick of growth news, including a new office move, new staff and funding.
The company provides entirely animal-free safety and efficacy tests to the cosmetics, personal care and chemical industries and is the only laboratory internationally to have achieved regulatory recognition for animal-free adaptations of regulatory tests that have not only eliminated the use of animals, but animal-derived components as well.
UK-based Airedale Chemical has acquired two automated filling, labelling and capping production lines with the capacity to produce 2.4 million units/year at its four-acre site, creating a complete end-to-end chemical production facility.
The company has built its reputation on the manufacture and supply of speciality chemicals sold in intermediate bulk containers of 1,000 litres. However, after identifying a gap in the market for industrial chemicals in smaller quantities it now offers small-pack solutions from one, five and 25 litre units.
Royal DSM and Sinochem Group have successfully completed the sale of DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals to Bain Capital Private Equity, following the earlier announcement of the transaction in June this year.
DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals develops, produces and sells intermediates, APIs and drug products. With its financial, advisory and operational capabilities combined with an extensive knowledge of the healthcare Spain, Bain will assist DSM in achieving its vision and support the company’s strategy and continued growth.
