Singapore advance for Brenntag

Brenntag has opened its new pharmaceutical application development centre in the Singapore Science Park. This will be the company’s first pharma R&D facility anywhere, as well as part of Brenntag Specialties’ global network of 82 innovation and application development centres.

“Singapore is an ideal location for our first pharmaceutical application development centre, given its thriving ecosystem of R&D partners, technology providers and talent,” said Romain Girard, president of pharma Asia-Pacific at Brenntag Specialties. T

he facility will focus on R&D in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications, in such areas as melt-in-the-mouth tablets and controlled drug release mechanisms. It will also offer regional concepts and prototype development, customised formulation support, technical solutions, powder characterisation and stability studies.

Coincidentally, Brenntag has agreed to acquire Aik Moh Group, a Singapore-based distributor of industrial chemicals, mainly solvents, glycols, and blends. These go to industries including coatings, water treatment, industrial cleaning, construction, oil and gas, inks and polymers throughout South-East Asia.

Aik Moh also offers mixing, blending and value-added services like repacking, warehousing and logistics support. The company, had sales of €76.6 million in the past year. Following completion, it will be part of the Brenntag Essentials business.

In addition, Brenntag has announced the official licensing and start of full commercial operations at the Yangzijiang Chemical Industrial Park in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, about 150 km from Shanghai. This brings the number of its sites in China, where it has some 2,000 customers, to five.

The facility occupies 62,000 m2 and has 20 storage tanks in various sizes. It has 6,500 m2 of warehouse space for Class A products and 1,400 m2  for Class C products, as well as workshops and an on-site laboratory for blending, testing and repackaging.