Japan’s Kao Corporation has joined the $120 million venture previously announced by Genomatica and Unilever to scale and commercialise plant-based alternatives to palm kernel oil. The firm described this is as a key move towards meeting goals of becoming carbon-neutral by 2040 carbon-negative by 2050, by making responsibly sourced palm oil and derivatives a critical feedstock.
Afyren Neoxy has opened its first large-scale biorefinery at Carling Saint-Avold in north-eastern France on time and within budget. Construction began in December 2020 and commissioning took place in June.
The plant uses fermentation technology based on natural microorganisms, followed by extraction and purification steps to make seven 100% biobased organic acids from sugar beet. This is sourced in the immediate region, where it is a common crop.
Dutch start-up RheoCube has opened up its first US office in the Cambridge Innovation Center in Boston to accelerate the commercial expansion there. Further new locations are planned, which will be announced later.
The company, which was built by scientific modellers, experimentalists and other experts within Electric Ant Lab, markets a cloud-based experimental research platform. This is claimed to offer R&D scientists “a digital and fully integrated research solution to test hypotheses, reduce costly trial-and-error and accelerate their research”.
A new player has emerged in the manufacture and sourcing of raw materials and ingredients for the life sciences and speciality chemicals markets, in the form of Actylis.
Speaking at a press conference to launch the new brand identity, CEO Gilles Cottier described Actylis as “an entirely new and transformed company designed for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century”. It has “a uniquely flexible portfolio of GMP and non-GMP materials”, he added, and can provide “a unique hybrid of manufacturing and sourcing to best meet your needs”.
Elizabeth Dionasari of EcoOnline Global looks at how chemical risk management can be addressed with new technology
According to the International Labour Organisation’s statistical data on workplace accidents and diseases, health issues are the single biggest cause of work-related deaths globally.
How do you recession-proof an industry that is worldwide in scope, highly regulated, highly specialised and rife with market competition, asks Stephen Ottley, senior managing director, head of chemicals & energy of SGS Maine Pointe
Solvay is to expand its rare earths operations in La Rochelle, France, to enter the value chain for permanent magnets based on alloys of rare earths. These are mostly imported into Europe at present and many rare earths are in short supply. The company itself claims to be the technology leader in their separation, recycling, purification, finishing and formulation.
