Netherlands-based Barentz International, a distributor of life science and speciality ingredients, has acquired Radian Chemical Products of India. Terms were not disclosed and the current team will remain in place, including CEO Manoj Botadra.

Radian is mainly active in niche applications in colour cosmetics and personal care, areas in which Barentz is already active India. Barentz thus expects to reinforce its portfolio and achieve “significant growth potential” across the Asia-Pacific region.

Spain’s Cepsa Chemicals has just launched a new blockchain-based system that will enable it to track the palm and coconut oil it uses as raw material all to the way to use in its production of biodegradable surfactants. The company had launched NextLAB, the world's first sustainable linear alkylbenzene (LAB), earlier this year.

The EU Court of Justice (CJEU) in Luxembourg has dismissed an action by Symrise to annul a decision by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) board of appeal in 2021. The long-running case related to a required compliance check using animal tests on Symrise’s REACH registration dossier for the UV fillers homosalate and 2-ethylhexyl salicylate.

Aashi Mishra shares some highlights from a recent Research Nester study

Oleochemicals are chemicals that are obtained from fats and oils, both vegetable and animal. They find use across diverse industries and are gaining popularity owing to their eco-friendly and sustainable characteristics.

Oleochemicals have a range of qualities, including being biodegradable, low toxicity levels and being derived from renewable sources. Moreover, they can be customised to exhibit attributes like enhanced lubrication or increased solubility.

Clariant has agreed to acquire Lucas Meyer Cosmetics of Québec, Canada, a supplier of cosmetics and personal care ingredients from International Flavours & Fragrances. The $810 million, 16.3 x EBITDA deal is expected to close in Q1 2024, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Dow and Sasol both used this year’s SEPAWA Congress in Berlin on 25-27 October to launch surfactants that claim superior ecological profiles. In both cases, the products are based on collaboration with smaller, technology-based partners.

Dow developed EcoSense 2470 Surfactant with carbon recycling company LanzaTech Global, which recovers waste carbon then transforms into ethanol and on to surfactant ingredients. The company said that this is differentiated other biosurfactants and biobased surfactants in two ways: *

Croda International has broken ground for a low-carbon, multi-purpose production facility on a greenfield site in Guangzhou. This triples its manufacturing capacity for fragrances and establishes its fist production capability for beauty actives, mainly botanicals, in China. It is also part of the company’s plan to deliver fast growth in Asia.