BASF, the Austrian Research Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB) and the University of Graz in Austria have co-developed a computer-assisted regression model to improve enzyme performance and enable biocatalytic processes to be scaled up faster. With this model, they said, “it becomes easier to determine the optimal combination as only a few preliminary lab tests, such as determining the unfolding curve of the enzyme, are necessary”.

Solenis is to acquire BASF’s flocculants business for mining applications in a deal that should close within 2H 2024. Financial details are not being disclosed. Solenis had previously acquired BASF’s paper wet-end and water chemicals business in 2019.

Jacques Herber, Solenis’s CBO in EMEA and Asia said that brining the BASF sales team on board “will allow us to develop closer relationships with our customers by providing more solutions and added value to their operations and will eliminate supply agreements between BASF and Solenis.”

BASF has revealed that it is collaborating with three German universities on a project to make fumaric acid from the Basfia succiniciproducens bacterium by fermentation. The company uses fumaric acid as a chemical intermediate for various low carbon footprint products, including food and feed additives for, pharmaceutical raw materials and building blocks for polymers and detergents.

According to the latest annual report by brand valuation consultancy, Brand Finance, BASF is still the most valuable chemicals brand with a brand value of $9.2 billion 11% up on 2023, and a brand strength rating (BSR) of AAA-. It ranked fourth in the brand strength index with score of 80.7 of 100. This is the tenth consecutive year that BASF has topped the chemicals segment.

BASF has begun a six-week period of change negotiations at its precursor cathode active materials (pCAM) plant in Harjavalta, Finland. This may include layoffs for an indefinite period, potentially impacting all employees. The company added that it remains committed to driving pCAMs, which it will continue to do via its facility in Schwarzheide, Germany.

In its annual results presentation, BASF announced plans to reduce costs at its main verbund site in Ludwigshafen by a further €1 billion/year by the end of 2026. This comes on top of a similar scale of cuts initiated in late 2022.

Last year, results in Germany suffered due to substantially negative earnings at Ludwigshafen, the company said. This was attributed to two main causes: the temporary low-demand environment is affecting volume development both upstream and downstream, while structurally high energy prices are raising production costs upstream.

ECHA has contracted a consortium led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology & Experimental Medicine (ITEM) to conduct scientific studies on the reliability and relevance of new approach methodologies (NAMs) as alternatives to animal testing and to promote their use. This will run for six years, with €4.2 million in ECHA funding.