Following a digital pitch day and evaluation by an internal panel, Heraeus has launched its third ‘accelerator programme with five start-ups, who will have access to its research laboratories, test equipment and customer and partner network. The focus is on products for the semiconductor and precious metals industries.

Mitsui Chemicals Agro, the agrochemicals subsidiary of Mitsui Chemicals, has agreed to acquire the agrochemicals business of its Japanese compatriot Meiji Seika Pharma. No financial details were disclosed, other than that the impact on total sales is expected to be minor.

The acquired business is based in Tokyo with a manufacturing subsidiary in Iwate and six branch offices, employing 110. It will be fully integrated into Mitsui Chemicals Agro. The company offers various formulations, including:

* Probenazole, the world’s first systemic acquired resistance type fungicide

In speciality chemicals, doing your MA&D ‘homework’ means much more than it used to, says Lauren McCallum, solution manager for SAP’s Chemical Industry business unit

According to unconfirmed reports, private equity firm Permira is considering exiting from its ownership in CABB after seven years and an auction may begin next year. The German-headquarters fine and speciality chemicals producer could raise about $1.2 billion, it is estimated.

Permira, which has about €44 billion in committed capital around the world, originally acquired CABB from Bridgepoint in 2014. Four years later, it bought Evonik Jayhawk Fine Chemicals, adding a US presence to the company.

The UK’s Chemical Business Association (CBA) has written to various government ministers, warning that “the supply chain situation in the UK is deteriorating” because of the continuing and deepening shortage of HGV drivers.

CDMO Sterling Pharma Solutions has completed the initial phase of investment in its centre of excellence for research into the commercial applications of continuous flow chemistry at Dudley, UK. This follows the appointment in July of Professor Ian Baxendale of Durham University to head a dedicated team in this field.

Two companies active in the speciality chemicals sector - chemicals distributor Azelis and Nouryon, the former chemicals division of AkzoNobel – have separately announced IPOs in recent weeks. Both are currently owned by private equity.