Univar Solutions has confirmed that Brenntag has ended discussions with it about a potential merger. The company said that it is “committed to acting in the best interest of its stockholders and will continue discussions relating to other indications of interest that have been received with respect to a potential transaction”.

Brenntag originally opened discussions with Univar in November. The deal would have brought together the world’s largest and second largest chemical distributors. Brenntag and Univar had sales of €14.4 billion and $9.5 billion respectively in 2021.

Non-profit organisation CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) has issued its rankings for 2022. These rate about 15,000 companies in multiple industries from about 18,700 who submitted data about their emissions on a scale from A to D- in three categories. In all, 283 received an A for Climate Change, 25 for Forests and 103 for Water Security.

Merck KGaA has closed its previously announced details to acquire M Chemicals, the company recently incorporated by Mecaro to operate its chemical business. This will bring it around 100 new employees as well as advanced production and R&D facilities in Korea.

The company said that the newly acquired operation is “expected to complement a key segment of Merck’s Semiconductor Solutions portfolio”. This in turn is one of the ‘Big 3’ growth engines recently identified as driving Merck’s ‘Level Up, growth programme.

Evonik has completed the previously announced sale of its TAA derivatives business from its Specialty Additives division to Italian firm Sabo. The company said that it in doing this it was “taking the next step in focusing its portfolio on speciality chemicals”, by divesting a business that did not fit in with this strategic focus. TAA derivatives are essential precursors to light stabilisers.

Swedish biotech I-Tech and Lanxess have combined their respective marine antifouling technologies for the first time, with what they claim to be promising results. This follows tests on 35 paint formulations with a 12-month lifespan in static testing environments in the Caribbean, Eastern North Sea, the North Mediterranean and Sea of Japan.

Novozymes and Chr. Hansen have agreed to merge in what will be the largest ever such move between two Danish firms. The combined entity would have sales of €3.5 billion/year. Revenue synergies upwards of over €200 million and 6-8%/year growth to 2025 are expected.

Canary Wharf Group and Kadans Science Partner have submitted a detailed planning application for a 23-storey, 76,500 m2 tower. They said that this would be Europe’s largest and most technologically advanced life sciences facility, as well as a first of its kind vertical campus.

The site is on an undeveloped 3.5-hectare site at the North Quay on Canary Wharf in the Docklands area of London. It will be able to deliver 325,000 m² of laboratory and affiliated space, with the ability to provide chemistry and high containment facilities. Other features will include: