Global speciality chemicals and ingredients distributor IMCD has made two acquisitions in short order to bolster its position in Latin America and the Caribbean: Andes Chemical and, via its Colombian subsidiary, Siliconas y Químicos. It has also acquired Shanghai Yuanhe Chemicals in China.

Speciality life science materials player Aceto has made two further acquisitions, both in the pharmaceutical field, in the form of Oregon-based Cascade Chemistry and Finar in India. Terms were not disclosed in either case.

These bring the total number of acquisitions the new-look firm has made to five in the past 15 months. “With each of our acquisitions, Aceto looks to add companies that enhance our business capabilities and support our growth strategy, while aligning with our core business values,” said CEO Gilles Cottier.

BASF has agreed a deal to source green electricity for hydrogen production at the Ludwigshafen verbund site from a 2 gigawatt offshore wind farm that German energy giant RWE already has at the planning stage. This will also enable BSAF to electrify the production of multiple basic chemicals and 2.8 million tonnes/year of CO2 emissions at the site.

Alongside city and Commonwealth of Virginia officials, Ampac Fine Chemicals (AFC) has announced that it will invest over $25 million to expand the capabilities of its former Boehringer Ingelheim plant at Petersburg Industrial Park in Petersburg. The site, which Ampac acquired in 2016 and brought back into operation in 2019, was chosen over others in California and Texas

Mica Zuniga and Fiona O’Carroll of Xenon Arc look at how the chemicals and materials industries can tap into enhanced digital strategies to improve their customer experience

CDMOs Sterling Pharma Solutions and Novasep have both made announcements in the high potency arena in the past week. The former has signed a manufacturing deal with oncology specialist OncoTex, while the latter is expanding its main high potency API (HPAPI) site at Le Mans.

With the unanimous support of the directors, Ferro is being acquired by American Securities subsidiary Prince International, in a deal that should close in Q1 2022 subject to shareholder approval and regulatory clearance. The $22.00/share deal values the firm at about $2.1 billion, including the assumption of debt, net of cash.