Brenntag has announced an agreement to acquire independent speciality chemical distributor of Chemgrit Group of Johannesburg, South Africa, in a deal that is expected to close in Q4. Shortly afterwards, it also opened operations at two new innovation and application centres for personal care in France and the UK.

Azelis has announced the opening of new laboratories within the space of a month. Each covers different applications and is located on different continent.

A new pharmaceuticals and healthcare application laboratory in Courbevoie, France, complements existing ones in the UK and Turkey, the company said. It is equipped to address challenges in areas such as API solubilisation and bioavailability, compliance, counterfeiting and misuse, and the optimisation of formulations and production processes.

Azelis has agreed to acquire Quimdis, a French distributor of ingredients for flavours and fragrances (F&F), animal nutrition, personal care, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and food. Closing is expected to take place end of August. Terms were not disclosed. This company said that this strengthens it in “fast-growing and attractive markets, while also enhancing the position of Azelis France in the life science sector”.