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.

BASF is to sell its kaolin minerals business, which is part of the Performance Chemicals division and is regarded as non-core, to Georgia-based minerals company KaMin. This is expected to close in 2H 2022, subject to approval by the relevant merger control authorities. The business employs about 440 people and had sales of around €155 million in 2020.

Stepan has opened its new Agricultural Innovation Centre in Barrow County, Georgia, near to its manufacturing site in Winder and to two major universities. The location was chosen in part for a temperate climate that will facilitate year-round testing. The centre will carry our collaborative R&D with customers in the sector. Key features include:

* A training centre for formulation development, including a virtual collaboration lab for real-time customer support and formulation training from any location with an Internet connection