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.

Nouryon (formerly AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals), Tata Steel and the Port of Amsterdam have joined together to study the feasibility of a large green hydrogen cluster in the Amsterdam region. 

The three parties consider green hydrogen as vital for reaching climate targets and building a more circular economy, for example by combining it with emissions from steel manufacture to make new products. 

The British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA) has announced the winners of its annual awards at the 2018 Forum and Awards Dinner.

Held at the prestigious Oulton Hall Hotel, Leeds, the awards recognise and reward innovation across the aerosol sector.

Winners, runners up and highly commended entrants were selected from four categories:

• aerosol packaging;
• sustainability;
• process safety and training; and
• aerosol of the year.

The awards were judged by the following panel of experts:

Vertellus, a global manufacturer of fine and speciality chemicals, has announced that John Van Hulle is assuming the role of chief executive officer (CEO), effective immediately. Van Hulle brings to Vertellus more than three decades of leadership experience in the speciality chemical and plastics industries, serving business sectors ranging from polymers and additives to the agricultural, pharmaceutical and food markets.