BASF is to end production of three chemicals at its main site in Ludwigshafen. This is part of an ongoing strategic review that is being undertaken “to ensure competitiveness under changing market conditions” and will lead to about 180 job cuts.
Wanhua Chemical of China has commissioned its 48,000 tonnes/year citral facility, which is the largest single-unit production plant of its kind in the world. This completes a 13-year journey that began with small-scale trials in 2011.
Industrial biotechnology specialist Ingenza is collaborating with Cellugy, a Danish start-up, to accelerate the development of the latter’s platform for the production biofabricated cellulose. This ultimately aims to provide a sustainable alternative to fossil-based petrochemicals in various industrial applications, starting with personal care.
Barentz International has acquired distributors in two different regions in short order. The acquisition of Insuqui in Paraguay followed a few weeks after that of the Anshul Life Sciences Group in India. Terms were not disclosed in either deal and the existing management teams will remain in place.
Gatemore Capital Management has published a second open letter to John O’Higgins, chairman of the board at UK-based speciality chemicals company Elementis. This follows its first such letter on 29 April and the company’s official response.
Syensqo and Singapore start-up Allozymes have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop ‘advanced biosolutions’ for home and personal care, particularly skin care. This will combine Allozymes’ ultra-high throughput microfluidics platform for the engineering of enzymes and microbes with Syensqo’s application and market access expertise.
Gatemore Capital Management has published an open letter to John O’Higgins, chairman of the board at UK-based speciality chemicals company Elementis, stating that there is “an urgent need for change”. This echoes a letter from another ‘activist’ shareholder in late 2023.
Elementis mainly supplies the personal care sector, notably cosmetic and antiperspirant actives – it is the world market leader in the latter field. 85% of its products are of natural origin. Coatings and paper are other key markets.
