Caldic, the Netherlands-based distributor of life sciences and speciality chemicals, is to merge with Connell of the US, following an agreement by their respective owners, Advent International and Wilbur-Ellis. This should close in Q1 2023, subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals. Terms were not disclosed and the companies will remain privately owned.
Merck KGaA has revealed at its latest Capital Markets Day that it will continue to focus on its ‘Big Three’ businesses of Process Solutions and Life Science Services, new products in Healthcare and the Semiconductor Solutions arm.
By 2025, these are expected to generate about 80% of targeted sales growth, and more than 50% of total sales. The company remains on track to achieve its mid-term growth target of €25 billion that year and expects to increase sales organically by at least 6%/year on average, about €1 billion/year.
SK On, which makes batteries for electric vehicles, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Global Lithium Resources, which mines lithium from spodumene mineral at two sites in Western Australia. The two will “explore future business opportunities together in regard to stable supply of lithium”. Precise terms were not disclosed.
Peptides giant Bachem has agreed to acquire an undeveloped site covering 155,000 m2 in Sisslerfeld, north-western Switzerland, from DSM in order to manage growing demand. It has already acquired the first plot and others will follow in time. Terms are not being disclosed.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2022 has been awarded to three academic pioneers of click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry: previous winner K. Barry Sharpless of Scripps Research; Morten Meldal of the University of Copenhagen: and Carolyn R. Bertozzi of Stanford University. “Sometimes simple answers are the best,” said the committee awarding the prize. “Click chemistry and bioorthogonal reactions have taken chemistry into the era of functionalism” and “this is bringing the greatest benefit to humankind.”
Together with Algo Artis, Japan’s Nippon Shokubai has developed an algorithm-based means for the production planning of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) based on acrylic acid, and has started operations at its plant in Himeji following all the necessary validations and modifications. This is in line with its ‘TechnoAmenity for the future’ strategy, which was unveiled in April 2021 and will be extended to other products.
Life science ingredients distributor Barentz International has acquired Viachem, a distributor of life science ingredients and speciality chemicals. Based in Texas and Georgia, Viachem claims to have a unique model that combines “a dedicated market research function and digitally enabled sales and marketing capabilities”, using trained and highly specialised technical sales specialists.
