CHEManager International on LinkedIn: ISCC 2024 (2024)

Gulf States Chemical Hub Welcomes Start-ups:Focus on Climate Action & Circular EconomyThe 1st GPCA #Startup Nexus will take place during the GPCA Forum, December 2-5, 2024 in Muscat, Oman.The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) is establishing a community for exchange between young growth companies, the established chemical industry, and, above all, investors of all kinds.The 1st GPCA Startup Nexusis part of the 18th GPCA Annual Forum. Holger Bengs, the initiator of the European Chemistry Partnering (ECP) and an expert on the start-up scene, is advising theGPCAon the new format. He shares some insights on the new event format.CHEManager: What is the aim of the 1st GPCA Startup Nexus?Holger Bengs:In just 50 years, a prosperous and innovative #chemical industry with global business contacts has emerged in the Gulf region. It is only natural in the face of change and global challenges, and the importance of #chemistry to our prosperity, to give young innovative start-ups greater visibility and the opportunity to connect with the established chemical industry and with international investors. The 1st GPCA Startup Nexus will take place over two days. There will be shark-tank-styled presentations and Q&A sessions for the winners. They will also have an exhibition stand and there will be rooms for separate meetings with interested parties.CHEManagerClimate Action and #CircularEconomy are the two themes. Which startups can be found and apply under these two topics?H. Bengs:We have deliberately kept it broad. The GPCA Expert Panel will select five start-ups from both areas, founded 2017 or later, that have demonstrated laboratory feasibility, which is technology readiness level 4: the topics range from plastics recycling, designing for recycling and the traceability of value chains to carbon capture storage and use, hydrogen technologies and solutions for renewable energies. Startups from the fields of chemistry, #bioeconomy, energy and #digitalization can apply with this variety of topics. This diversity should generate broad interest among the more than 3,000 international participants.Read the full #interview and more about 1st GPCA Startup Nexuson #CMI online: https://lnkd.in/dq5X3kYC

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BASF Coatings Opens New Application and Technical Center in #ChinaBASF's Coatings division has inaugurated its new application and technical center in Jiangmen, China, which is located within the site of #BASF Coatings (Guangdong) (BCG).The application and technical center will contribute to #innovation in the #coatings industry by simulating customer environments with real-world equipment and conditions. Representing a significant first for BCG, the facility is equipped with two large combination spray booths, and a complete range of equipment for product development, covering the entire process from sanding and mixing to detailing and measuring,BASFsaid.Established in 2016, the BCG #manufacturing facility has been offering a comprehensive portfolio of refinish coatings products, including transportation solutions.Read more on #CMI online: https://lnkd.in/e76R7Zgi

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Wanhua Chemical Group Launches Citral Plant in #ChinaChinese chemical group Wanhua has launched its 48,000-ton-per-year citral production facility in Yantai, China. The company said that the new site is the world’s largest single-unit #citral production plant.Citral, often regarded as the 'crown jewel' of fine chemicals, is renowned for its intricate production process and stringent technical requirements,Wanhuasaid. The product is a crucial intermediate in creating aroma and #nutrition and an indispensable component in the #fragrance raw materials market.Read more on #CMI online: https://lnkd.in/e7nQw746

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Barentz Appoints Lars Schneider as New CEO for EMEABarentz recently appointed Lars Schneider as the new Chief Executive Officer for the EMEA region, starting October 1st, 2024. Lars will also become a member of the Barentz Board.Lars Schneider is a seasoned executive with a strong strategic orientation, extensive international experience, and over 20 years of industry experience. Lars has been working for Brenntag since 2003 holding various leadership roles in Germany, Italy, Canada, and the Americas. Most recently, Lars served as President Specialties Americas and subsequently as Global President Material Science and Specialties North America. Lars holds degrees in Economics (BSc) and Business Administration (MBA). Currently residing in Ontario, #Canada, Lars will be relocating to the Netherlands for his new role.“With Lars on board, we will strengthen our position and further support our business growth in the #EMEA region," commentedTerry Hill, Interim CEO ofBarentz."We warmly welcome Lars and his deep industry knowledge to our team. We are confident that under his strategic vision and leadership, the EMEA region will continue to thrive and reach new heights.”Read more on #CMI online:

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Aurigene and Kainomyx to Partner on Anti-Malarial DrugAurigene Pharmaceutical Services Limited, the CRDMO arm of India-based Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kainomyx, a US-based company with a proprietary platform that helps target cytoskeletal proteins of parasites, for the development and commercialization of an affordable anti-#malarial drug in in the US, Europe, and in low and middle-income countries.The MoU remains subject to signing of a definitive agreement, the companies said.#Malaria is a serious health challenge that has a disproportionate prevalence in vulnerable populations of low-income countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an alarming number of 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 cases of malaria death were reported in 2022. It has been widely reported that climate change will increase the incidences of such vector-borne diseases. With this #collaboration, the companies intend to drive a comprehensive research and development agenda to leverage their strengths and accelerate the program.Read more on #CMI online: https://lnkd.in/eQUCBz5x

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Air Products to Acquire #Hydrogen Assets from SanegUS industrial gases producer Air Products has agreed to acquire Saneg’s hydrogen production assets at the Fergana oil refinery in Uzbekistan for $140 million. This strategic acquisition,Sanegsaid in a statement, is in line with the refinery's global modernization process and represents an important step forward in the expansion and optimization of its production capabilities and will open the opportunity for wider commercial use of hydrogen on the industrial production market in #Uzbekistan. The #transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024.Saneg founder Bakhtiyor Fazilov said: "This agreement with Air Products represents another significant step forward in our long-term modernization plans for the Fergana refinery with the world leader in hydrogen production. Saneg has a strong relationship with Air Products – their commitment and expertise will help us to achieve our goals of maximizing the potential of Uzbekistan’s oil and gas sector, while supporting our country’s economic development. The agreement will also contribute towards one of the Uzbekistan government’s main priorities, strengthening our nation’s energy security by increasing domestic supplies of hydrogen."Read more on #CMI online: https://lnkd.in/eDTFjekp

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#News on SundayNovartis and Versant Launch Borealis BiosciencesNovartis announced it has partnered with Versant Ventures to form Borealis Biosciences, Inc., an independent, discovery-stage #biotechnology company based in Vancouver, Canada, focused on developing next-generation xRNA-based medicines for kidney diseases.A core technology platform for#Novartis, xRNA can target the body’s natural #mRNA to modulate the production of proteins that cause disease.Borealis emerged from the success of Chinook Therapeutics, a Novartis Company , a kidney disease company founded by Versant in 2019 and acquired by Novartis in 2023. Following the #acquisition, Novartis said it quickly recognized the significant scientific potential of Chinook's early stage research talent as well as the facilities and capabilities of the Vancouver site and subsequently decided to fund the launch of Borealis.Read more on #CMI online: https://lnkd.in/e3qtAzjb

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LyondellBasell to Acquire German #Plastic Recycler APKIn a move to grow and upgrade its circular and low carbon solutions business, chemical producer LyondellBasell is to acquire full ownership of plastic #recycler APK AG in Merseburg, Germany. Closing of the #transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.LyondellBasellbelieves APK's solvent-based #recycling technology is a perfect fit with its already existing mechanical and advanced recycling technologies. Therefore, it already invested in the company in the past and made collaborative efforts on bringing the technology to scale. The #acquisition secures the future of APK after it entered into insolvency at the end of May 2024, the company said."We see APK's solvent based recycling technology as a vital addition and complementary to our existing and future mechanical and advanced recycling operations. This is an important further step toward reaching our goal to produce and market at least 2 million metric tons of recycled and renewable based #polymers annually by 2030," said Yvonne Van Der Laan, LyondellBasell executive vice president, Circular and Low Carbon Solutions.Read more on #CMI online: https://lnkd.in/ewKFVsDA

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Novo Nordisk Pharmatech to Build New Factory in #DenmarkIn order to meet significantly higher demand from its parent company Novo Nordisk, Novo Nordisk Pharmatech A/S is planning to build a new factory at a 47,000 m² site in Køge, Denmark, which it acquired in March 2023.The new 8,000 m² facility, in whichNovo Nordisk Pharmatechplans to invest 1.5 billion Danish kroner (approximately €200 million), will comprise production, storage, office, and laboratory areas and is expected to start production in 2027. The plant will primarily supply raw materials for Novo Nordisk’s production of medicine to fight critical chronic diseases and create around 50 new positions, the company said.“This is the largest #investment in Novo Nordisk Pharmatech’s 75-year history. We are in a period of growth. In accordance with our growth strategy, we are expanding our production to ensure an even more robust and reliable delivery of our products. The location in Køge is ideal, as we can draw on the extensive know-how we have at our current factory – and furthermore, the infrastructure is optimal, with Køge Nord station so close to our new site,” said Ulla Grove Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of Novo Nordisk Pharmatech.Read more on #CMI online: https://lnkd.in/emYqyrMU

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