“Politicians need to finally wake up,” said Lanxess board chariman Matthias Zachert. “In the current phase of economic weakness, the location Germany is not competitive internationally. We urgently need sustainable framework conditions – above all an internationally competitive electricity tariff for the industry, the reduction of excessive bureaucracy and faster approval procedures.”
Thermo Fisher Scientific has settled a lawsuit brought by the estate of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells have been used extensively in biomedical research since her death in 1951 at the age of 31. Terms were not disclosed but attorneys on both sides said that they were satisfied.
Gains in biologicals are helping to offset huge market share for generics. Gregory Morris reports from Savannah
It was all business at the Specialty & Agro Chemicals America conference on 19-22 June, in the new venue of Savannah, Georgia. Exhibitors said that there was “a high level of energy at the show,” and this extended to the programme presentations.
During its Q2 results presentation, Chemours announced a decision to close its Kuan Yin TiO2 manufacturing facility in Taiwan (pictured). The firm described this as “part of a comprehensive strategy to improve the earnings quality of TT – producers of the popular Ti-Pure brand – by optimising its manufacturing circuit”.
CDMOs Axplora and Flamma have both made announcements about investments in flow chemistry, with the former completing the installation of a new cGMP pilot unit at Leverkusen, Germany, and the latter investing about $2 million in flow, starting with the installation of a new suite of equipment from Microinnova at Chignolo D’Isola, Italy.
The US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas has confirmed Venator Materials’ Plan of Reorganisation, ten weeks after the company filed for Chapter 11. Under this, it will complete a comprehensive restructuring that will see nearly all of its funded debt converted to equity while leaving trade obligations unimpaired.
The independent Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) has confirmed that Evonik’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets are in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. This seeks to limit global warming to well below 2°C.
