Croda International is to conduct a strategic review of its Performance Technologies and Industrial Chemicals (PTIC) businesses during 2021, to decide on the best ownership structure going forward. Full or partial divestment and a spin-off are all options, the company said.

Lonza its to expand its two-year collaboration with Moderna to manufacture the drug substance for Moderna’ COVID-19 vaccine. This will lead to further expansion at its main site in Visp, Switzerland, as will another small molecule complex, which includes a dedicated line for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for an unnamed customer.

Two recent acquisitions that are both largely focused in the personal care arena were both completed almost simultaneously. Solvay completed the sale of its amphoteric surfactant business to OpenGate Capital, while Ashland finalised that of the personal care business of Schülke & Mayr from investment firm EQT.

Pharmaceutical CDMO AMRI has invested both in terms of scale and compound handling capabilities and new expert personnel to address orphan and rare disease products. No figure has been disclosed of the sum involved.

At its headquarters site in Albany, New York, AMRI has added additional suites for 10-15 kg batch sizes. At Grafton, Wisconsin, it has expanded its hydrogenation, filtering and drying and analytical capabilities, the latter including LC-MS and GC-MS instruments, as well as new experts. The company has also expanded at Glasgow, UK.

Industrial enzymes giant Novozymes, several cleaning companies, start-up firm Aks2tal and the Danish municipality of Gladsaxe have formed a local partnership to test the former’s probiotic cleaning product, Microvia Pro. This is taking place in office and canteen areas at multiple locations in Gladsaxe over six weeks from 3 May onwards.

A five-month battle over the ownership of W. R. Grace & Co. came to an end on 26 April, when the company entered into a definitive agreement with Standard Industries Holdings will acquire it in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $7.0 billion. This includes Grace’s pending acquisition of Albemarle Fine Chemistry Services (FCS).

Miles Robinson, partner, and Daniel Cook, senior associate, at international law firm Mayer Brown, discuss the key considerations in the chemicals industry when drafting contracts post-Brexit