Page 167 - CW E-Magazine (1-4-2025)

News from Abroad

ing sophorolipids, rhamnolipids, and a nue to be independently managed solely where BioReNuva already excels – will
ready-made biotechnology-based sur- by the BioReNuva team. Commenting be a large portion of total growth in the
factant blend. Hallstar said the mino- on the thinking behind the move Hall- beauty and personal care market.”
rity stake will enable it to explore novel star’s CEO, John Paro said, “Our exist-
approaches in the biosynthesis space, ing innovation in natural functional and “Strategic investors contribute to
leveraging BioReNuva’s expertise and active ingredients has an impressive our company’s steady growth, and
manufacturing capabilities. track record, and has underscored custo- allow us to realize key goals when it
mers’ passionate need for ingredients comes to technical development, pro-
Under the terms of the deal, Hall- that are safe, biodegradable, and effec- duction capacity, and expansion into
star will provide board-level oversight, tive. We see a future where biotech multiple verticals,” added BioRe-
while day-to-day operations will conti excipients – biosurfactants, for example, Nuva’s founder, Dennis Zlotnik.

SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY
SK On to supply batteries to support Nissan’s future

EV production in US

SK On, a leading supplier of bat- will support 1,700 US jobs at SK On is expected to exceed 180-GWh. “This
teries for electric vehicles (EVs) and and will involve a total investment of agreement underscores the strength of
part of South Korean conglomerate, $661-mn, including equipment pur- our battery technology and our growing
SK Group, has inked a battery supply chases. This is in addition to Nissan’s presence in the North American
agreement with Japanese automotive $500-mn in investments for EV pro- market,” said Seok-hee Lee, SK On
major, Nissan, to support the latter’s duction at the Canton Assembly Plant. President and CEO.
EV production in North America.
The partnership marks SK On’s first Nissan is accelerating its EV strategy
Under the agreement, SK On will supply agreement with a Japanese auto- as part of its global long-term vision.
supply nearly 100-GWh of high-nickel maker, further expanding its global Last year, the company announced
batteries to Nissan from 2028 to 2033. customer base. SK On currently oper- plans to launch 30 new models over the
These US-manufactured batteries will ates two battery plants in the US and next three years, including 16 electri-
power Nissan’s next-generation EVs to is building four additional plants with fied vehicles. Among those models are
be produced at its Canton, Mississippi partners. Once fully operational, SK all-new EVs from its Canton assembly
(US) assembly plant. This production On’s annual US production capacity plant starting in 2028.

CANCER-LINKED CHEMICAL
L’Oreal recalls acne treatment product in US

on benzene contamination fears

L’Oreal is recalling all lots of its ago in many popular benzoyl peroxide testing found trace levels of the con-
acne treatment Effaclar Duo in the US products and asked the US Food and taminant in one lot of the product.
because of concerns that the creams are Drug Administration at the time to
contaminated with benzene, a known recall the contaminated treatments. “Therefore, in close coordination
carcinogen. with the FDA, we have proactively
Benzoyl peroxide is known to break decided to remove the limited remaining
L’Oreal’s Effaclar Duo, sold under down and form benzene under certain units of the current formula of Effaclar
the French company’s La Roche-Posay circumstances. A natural component Duo from retailers,” L’Oreal said. An
brand, is made with benzoyl peroxide, of gasoline and tobacco smoke, it can improved formulation of Effaclar Duo
which kills bacteria to help treat acne. cause leukaemia in high amounts, accor- that’s been in development since 2024
Valisure, an independent lab in US, ding to the US Centers for Disease will soon be available, the company
flagged benzene contamination a year Control and Prevention. L’Oreal said added.

Chemical Weekly April 1, 2025 167

Contents Index to Advertisers Index to Products Advertised